2013 BMW 335i Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2013 BMW 335i has a complaint index of 50, ranking 6th out of 11 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 43 complaints, 2 recalls, and 5 crashes, with Engine issues the top problem area at 35% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #6 of 11 335i years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 43
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22.5
- 19.5 city / 27.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2013 BMW 335i problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
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 sudden loss of engine power or "limp mode" while driving, sometimes while turning, with no fault codes showing on the dash.
- Some describe the transmission or drivetrain lurching or moving unexpectedly while parking, causing the car to jump forward without warning.
- Fuel system complaints describe the engine sputtering, losing power, and triggering a drivetrain malfunction warning while driving on the highway.
- A cold-start rattle noise from the engine compartment or dash area was reported during acceleration, which disappeared once the engine warmed up.
- Airbag warning symbols reportedly illuminated intermittently, and one owner said a Takata airbag recall repair part was unavailable for an extended period.
- One owner described a brake failure sensation where the ABS system seemed unresponsive during slow to medium speed driving, resulting in two collisions.
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?
- NHTSA data gives the 2013 335i a complaint index of 50 and a Caution verdict, ranking 6th out of 11 model years for this model. It has fewer complaints (43) than the 2007-2009 model years but more than the 2012 and 2014-2016 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 BMW 335i?
- Engine complaints make up 35% of reports, followed by Airbags and Electrical System issues, each at 28%. Transmission & Powertrain issues account for 21% of complaints.
- Does the 2013 BMW 335i have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2013 335i: one for airbag inflator replacement (campaign 20V017000) and one for an electrical system software update (campaign 15V520000). Neither is classified as a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2013 335i compare to other 335i years?
- The 2013 model ranks better than 2007-2011, which carry Avoid or Caution verdicts, but worse than 2012, 2014, and 2015, which are rated Good or Best. The 2015 335i has the lowest complaint index at 20.