2013 BMW 335i Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
83/100
#2 most-complained of 7 335i years
The 2013 BMW 335i has a complaint index of 83, ranking 2nd worst of 7 model years, earning an "Avoid" verdict relative to other 335i years. NHTSA lists 43 complaints, 2 recalls, and 5 crashes tied to the model, with engine problems the top concern.
- Complaints
- 43
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes / fires
- 5 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22.5
- 19.5 city / 27.5 hwy
Top 2013 BMW 335i problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine15 (35%)
- Airbags12 (28%)
- Electrical System12 (28%)
- Transmission & Powertrain9 (21%)
- Fuel System7 (16%)
- Other3 (7%)
- Seat Belts3 (7%)
- Steering2 (5%)
- Structure & Body2 (5%)
- Brakes1 (2%)
What owners report
- Engine loses power and enters limp mode during turns or acceleration, sometimes near 3,000 rpm with no fault codes showing.
- Drivers report sudden unintended acceleration while parking at low speed, resulting in the car jumping curbs and hitting structures.
- A rattling noise from the engine compartment or dash appears on cold starts between roughly 2,000 and 2,500 rpm and fades once the engine warms up.
- High pressure fuel pump failure has caused the car to die without warning on the highway, cutting power to brakes and steering.
- Drivetrain malfunction warnings appear with sputtering and sudden power loss while driving at highway speed.
- Passenger airbag restraint warning lights turn on intermittently at startup, sometimes clearing briefly after a restart.
2013 BMW 335i recalls
2 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].
2013 BMW 335i fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19.5 MPG
- Highway
- 27.5 MPG
- Combined
- 22.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,550
- 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.
2013 compared with other 335i years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 BMW 335i reliable?
- Compared to other 335i model years, 2013 ranks poorly, with a complaint index of 83 and the 2nd-worst rank out of 7 years tracked. NHTSA recorded 43 complaints and 2 recalls for this year.
- What problems does the 2013 BMW 335i have?
- The top problem area is the engine, accounting for 35% of complaints, followed by airbags and electrical system issues, each at 28%. The median mileage at failure across all issues is 56,000 miles.
- Does the 2013 BMW 335i have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2013 335i: one for airbags (campaign 20V017000) covering driver air bag replacement, and one for the electrical system (campaign 15V520000) involving a software update.
- How does the 2013 335i compare to other years?
- The 2011 335i is worse, with a complaint index of 100 and 98 complaints. The 2012, 2014, and 2015 335i model years all rank better, with 2015 rated "Best" at a complaint index of 17.