2012 BMW 335i Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2012 BMW 335i has 22 complaints, 3 recalls, and a complaint index of 30, ranking 8th of 11 model years — a Good verdict relative to other 335i years. Airbags are the top problem area at 64% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 30/100
- #8 of 11 335i years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 22
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 19 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2012 BMW 335i problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags14 (64%)
- Engine4 (18%)
- Other3 (14%)
- Structure & Body3 (14%)
- Electrical System2 (9%)
- Steering2 (9%)
- Brakes1 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the engine suddenly racing out of control while parking, with the shifter locked in drive until the stop-engine button was pressed.
- Some describe the engine stalling randomly between 5 and 40 mph, which also caused loss of power steering and power brake assist.
- One owner reported a stall accompanied by an abnormal noise, later diagnosed as loose and fractured VANOS bolts not covered by the related recall.
- Airbag recall owners said Takata replacement parts were unavailable for months after receiving the recall notice, leaving them afraid to drive the car.
- Electrical system complaints describe rear and front power windows failing shortly after purchase, and separately a car going completely electrically dead with an unresponsive key fob and ignition.
- A steering complaint described the car hydroplaning and spinning into a tree with airbags failing to deploy on impact.
2012 BMW 335i recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V017000Jan 15, 2020Airbags59,965 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- NHTSA 15V520000Aug 17, 2015Electrical System7,727 vehicles
Exterior lighting
BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, and ActiveHybrid3 vehicles manufactured October 20, 2011, to June 22, 2015, 2014-2015 328xi Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured March 21, 2013, to March 17, 2015, 2014-2015 328d, 328xd vehicles manufactured June 28, 2013, to April 21, 2015, and 2014-2015 328xd Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured July 5, 2013, to April 21, 2015. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the front side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or by email at [email protected].
- NHTSA 14V176000Apr 10, 2014Engine156,137 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i Convertible, 528i Sedan, 535i Sedan, 535i xDrive Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, and X3 xDrive 35i, 2010 X3 xDrive 30i, and X5 xDrive 30i, 2012 640i Coupe, and 640i Convertible and 2010-2012 535i Gran Turismo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break.
Risk: If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. The recall began on September 24, 2014. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.
2012 BMW 335i fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,650
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2012 compared with other 335i years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 BMW 335i reliable?
- NHTSA lists 22 complaints and 3 recalls for the 2012 335i, giving it a complaint index of 30. That ranks 8th out of 11 model years and earns a Good verdict relative to other 335i years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2012 BMW 335i?
- Airbags are the top problem area, making up 64% of complaints, mostly tied to the Takata airbag recall and parts availability delays.
- Does the 2012 BMW 335i have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists three recalls for the 2012 335i: an airbag replacement campaign, an electrical software update, and an engine VANOS bolt replacement.
- How does the 2012 335i compare to other 335i years?
- The 2012 335i's complaint index of 30 is much lower than 2007 (100), 2008 (90), and 2009 (80), all rated Avoid, and higher than 2015 (20), rated Best.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2012 BMW 335i?
- EPA rates the 2012 335i at 22 mpg combined (19 city / 27 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,650.