NHTSA vehicle safety data

2012 BMW 335I Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2012 BMW 335I has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 23 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2012 BMW 335I, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2012 BMW 335I owner complaints

Owners have filed 23 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 BMW 335I, describing incidents dated August 31, 2012 to October 26, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Air Bags 15 complaints
  • Engine 4 complaints
  • Seats 3 complaints
  • Steering 3 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 3 complaints
  • Electrical System 2 complaints

Of the 23 complaints on file, 3 report a crash; across all 23 complaints, owners report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11773951 · Filed

    The BMW was involved in a head on collision and only the passenger side and steering wheel airbags deployed. There was no passenger in the car and the drivers side airbag failed to deploy.

  • ODI #11600854 · Filed

    on my car there is what is called the bowden cable that works to open and release the hood so that it can be opened. The problem with the design of the cable is that it sits right over a coolant hose leading to the engine. What happens is that the coolant hose gets very hot and the bowden cable that…

  • ODI #11576914 · Filed

    While driving with a passenger in front passenger seat, I occasionally receive a warning that there is a malfunction in passenger restraint system. At that time, the "pass airbag off" light goes on. I took the car to the dealer and was told it is likely a faulty passenger airbag seat occupancy…

Read all 23 complaints

Driver Air Bag Inflators May Explode

NHTSA #20V017000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported January 15, 2020 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 59,965 vehicles

Repair completion: 78.21% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified March 11, 2020 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Recall group: Takata airbag inflators

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Side Marker Lamps Inoperative/FMVSS 108

NHTSA #15V520000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported August 17, 2015 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 7,727 vehicles

Repair completion: 91.63% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified October 7, 2015 · Vehicles built October 20, 2011 – June 24, 2015 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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].

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Camshaft Housing Bolts May Loosen causing Stall

NHTSA #14V176000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine · NHTSA notice

Reported April 10, 2014 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 156,137 vehicles

Repair completion: 84.14% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified September 24, 2014 · Vehicles built September 1, 2009 – February 28, 2012 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Other BMW 335I model years

Check your 2012 BMW 335I VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW 335I at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a BMW VIN