2012 BMW 335xi Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
No verdict The 2012 BMW 335xi has a complaint index of 11, the second-lowest among the 10 model years with data, ranking 9th worst out of 10. NHTSA lists 2 complaints, both about airbags, and 1 recall for the electrical system.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 11/100
- #9 of 10 335xi years
- Verdict
- No verdict
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 2
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Airbags
Top 2012 BMW 335xi problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags2 (100%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe delays getting replacement parts for the Takata driver's front airbag module recall.
- Some owners report being told by BMW service centers that the recall part was unavailable when they tried to schedule replacement.
- One owner noted receiving the recall notice years after the original campaign began and still facing a multi-week wait for parts.
- No crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths were reported in connection with these airbag complaints.
2012 BMW 335xi recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- 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].
2012 compared with other 335xi years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 BMW 335xi reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2012 335xi has a complaint index of 11, among the lowest of the 10 model years with data, and ranks 9th worst out of 10.
- What problems does the 2012 BMW 335xi have?
- NHTSA lists only 2 complaints for this year, both related to airbags, specifically delays in getting the Takata airbag module recall repair completed.
- Does the 2012 BMW 335xi have a recall?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 15V520000 covers the electrical system on 2012-2015 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, and ActiveHybrid3 vehicles; BMW dealers upload revised software free of charge to fix it.
- How does the 2012 335xi compare to other 335xi years?
- With a complaint index of 11 and 2 complaints, 2012 ranks far better than 2008 (index 100, Avoid) or 2011 (index 89, Avoid), and is close to 2015 (index 22).