Car Defect Radar
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated September 22, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.

Recalls

0 total

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

No recalls on record for this model

No safety recalls were found in this dataset. It is still worth entering the exact VIN on NHTSA before purchase, since recalls can be added at any time.

Owner complaints by system

178 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading
78

Most reports here involve sudden stalling. Of these, 1 mention an injury.

sudden stalling 45premature wear 5
A recent report: The contact owns a 2011 BMW 335I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Loss of Oil Pressure" message displayed, and the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle made an…
Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 335I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Loss of Oil Pressure" message displayed, and the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle made an abnormally loud clunking sound. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact used an OBD scanner to retrieve a diagnostic trouble code for the VANOS bolts; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11652309 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Worth reading
14

Most reports here involve electrical shorts.

electrical shorts 3sudden stalling 3
A recent report: Wiring harness in the engine compartment caught fire about 2 weeks after changing a water pump, battery kept being draining even after battery replacement. Locking of the trunk trunk forced usage of…
Read full complaint

Wiring harness in the engine compartment caught fire about 2 weeks after changing a water pump, battery kept being draining even after battery replacement. Locking of the trunk trunk forced usage of a BMW authorized jump start battery charger/start etc. No access to Battery when the battery is discharged.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11643883 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Minor
3

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 1premature wear 1unintended acceleration 1
A recent report: SOMETIMES "DEPEND ON THE SPEED" WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATE FIRST SEVERAL SECONDS AND THEN SLOW DOWN.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10851461 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Worth reading
13

Most reports here involve loss of steering. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

loss of steering 2premature wear 1
A recent report: I AM PERPLEXED THAT NHSTA ALLOWS TIRE MANUFACTURERS TO SELL TIRES WITHOUT WARRANTY. ANY MERCHANDISE SOLD TO PUBLIC HAS AT LEAST 1 YEAR MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY AGAINST DEFECTS IN PARTS, MATERIAL AND…
Read full complaint

I AM PERPLEXED THAT NHSTA ALLOWS TIRE MANUFACTURERS TO SELL TIRES WITHOUT WARRANTY. ANY MERCHANDISE SOLD TO PUBLIC HAS AT LEAST 1 YEAR MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY AGAINST DEFECTS IN PARTS, MATERIAL AND WORKMANSHIP BUT NOT TIRES. THE ONLY PART THAT CONNECTS A VEHICLE TO A SURFACE IS A TIRE. THEREFORE, TIRES ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF EQUIPMENT ON A CAR BUT YET MANUFACTURERS CAN SELL TIRES WITHOUT WARRANTING THAT THE TIRES WOULD PERFORM AS THEY ARE INTENDED EVEN WHEN THEY ARE DRIVEN A FEW MILES. BRIDGESTONE RE050A RSC RUN-FLAT TIRES DRIVEN LESS THAN 11000 MILES WITHIN LESS THAN 2 YEARS AND ONE OF THE TIRES HAD ALREADY DEVELOPED A BULGE THE SIZE OF A BANANA. PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED PHOTO OF THE TIRE. THESE TIRES DO NOT HAVE A MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY. NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE OLD BUT BECAUSE THEY HAVE NEVER HAD ONE. IF I DIED AND CAUSED DEATH ON THE ROAD BECAUSE OF THIS FAULT, THIS COMPANY WOULD NOT BE LIABLE. WHY? BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT HELD RESPONSIBLE BY NHSTA OR ANYBODY. THERE IS NOT EVEN A SECTION TO COMPLAIN ABOUT TIRES. THAT'S WHY I HAVE TO PUT THIS COMPLAINT IN THE VEHICLE SECTION. DOES THIS MEAN NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION CARES ABOUT OUR SAFETY? LUCKILY, I CAUGHT THIS BEFORE IT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT OR LIVES. ARE YOU WAITING FOR ENOUGH LIVES TO BE CONSUMED BY THIS BEFORE YOU TAKE ACTION?

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11256134 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
50

Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 2 mention an injury.

software faults 5airbags not deploying 2
A recent report: The contact owns a 2011 BMW 335I. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the passenger’s side air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent…
Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 335I. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the passenger’s side air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but became persistent whenever the vehicle was started. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact had researched and related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin Number: 10148018 - Front Passenger Air Bag Seat Occupancy Sensor (OC3) Mat (Air Bags). The contact was informed by the dealer and the manufacturer that the vehicle was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11621213 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
6

Most reports here involve premature wear.

premature wear 1
A recent report: FRONT PASSENGER INSIDE DOOR HANDLE STARTS TO MELT DURING ANY HOT CONDITION. ONCE MELTING DETERIORATION STARTS, DOOR HANDLE GETS EXTREMELY STICKY AND SOFT (LEAVES A LOT OF UNKNOWN RESIDUE ON ANY…
Read full complaint

FRONT PASSENGER INSIDE DOOR HANDLE STARTS TO MELT DURING ANY HOT CONDITION. ONCE MELTING DETERIORATION STARTS, DOOR HANDLE GETS EXTREMELY STICKY AND SOFT (LEAVES A LOT OF UNKNOWN RESIDUE ON ANY PASSENGER HAND) TO ANY HAND TOUCH DURING ANY WEATHER CONDITION (COLD/HOT). DOOR HANDLE UNKNOWN COMPONENTS ARE TOUCHED BY PASSENGERS AND CAN BE UNSAFE IF A KID UNDER 18 EATS THE DOOR HANDLE UNKNOWN COMPONENT'S WHILE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. HANDLE CAN BE UNSAFE TO A GRIP IN CASE OF ACCIDENT (COULD FALL OFF AND END IN PASSENGER HAND). EXTREMELY BAD (POOR) MATERIAL WERE USED FOR INSIDE DOOR HANDLE. PICTURES CAN BE SUBMITTED IF REQUESTED (CMARA NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME). *TR

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11329681 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Worth reading
14

Most reports here involve electrical shorts. Of these, 1 mention an injury.

electrical shorts 4fire 1
A recent report: hard to explain. looks like my NIV is ''bad''. There are 11 recalls on BMW 335xi Sedan 2011 and mine has 0 (same car, BUT special limited edition). For now, BMW is of no help at all, they follow…
Read full complaint

hard to explain. looks like my NIV is ''bad''. There are 11 recalls on BMW 335xi Sedan 2011 and mine has 0 (same car, BUT special limited edition). For now, BMW is of no help at all, they follow their procedure which do not include my NIV in any way $$$. What to do next?

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11649455 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 178 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2011 and 2025, roughly 13 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.