Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 96 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports9 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

288 reports

68,500 miles · Feb 26, 2013

Wheels

THE WHEELS WERE CHECKED DUE TO SEVERAL INSTANCES OF TIRE PRESSURE LOSS. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT 3 OF 4 RIMS HAVE CRACKS THAT ARE CAUSING THE TIRES TO LOSE PRESSURE. UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH, IT IS APPARENT THAT THIS DEFECT HAS AFFECTED MANY BMW OWNERS WITH RUN FLAT TIRES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10500151

60,000 miles · Feb 23, 2013

Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

Read full complaint

ALL DOORS EXCEPT DRIVER DOOR ARE LOCKED AND CANNOT BE OPEN BY PASSENGER FROM INSIDE USING DOOR HANDLE; CANNOT BE OPENED USING THE DOOR LOCK SWITCH ON THE DASH BOARD; CANNOT BE OPENED USING THE KEY FOB; CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE. THEREFORE ALL PASSENGERS HAVE TO EXIT THROUGH THE DRIVER DOOR. ONCE BEING LOCKED FROM THE OUTSIDE, THE DRIVE HAS TO USE THE BACKUP KEY IN THE KEY FOB TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE REGARDING EXITING THE CAR IN EMERGENCY SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10499791

Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2013

Electrical SystemExterior LightingCrash

Read full complaint

ON 20 FEB 2013, WE WERE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY IN SAN FRANCISCO. TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF US SLOWED TO A STOP AND WE ALSO STOPPED. WE WERE THEN STRUCK HARD FROM BEHIND BY ANOTHER CAR THAT HIT THE RIGHT-REAR PART OF OUR BUMPER. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE IMPACT, ALL INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS IN OUR CAR FLICKERED AND BECAME VERY DIM. WE DISCOVERED LATER THAT THE IMPACT HAD DAMAGED THE CAR'S BATTERY, EVIDENCED BY ELECTROLYTE LEAKING OUT OF THE UNDERNEATH, REAR OF THE CAR. AFTER THE COLLISION, TRAFFIC BEGAN MOVING AGAIN AND THE OTHER DRIVER MOVED HIS CAR OFF THE ROADWAY, LEAVING US SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY, 5-LANE FREEWAY AFTER DARK WITH NO LIGHTS OF ANY KIND IN OR ON OUR CAR. THE EMERGENCY FLASHER FLICKERED DIMLY, BUT WAS NOT WORKING. ALL THE HEAD AND TAIL LIGHTS WERE DARK. POLICE EVENTUALLY ARRIVED AND PUSHED OUR CAR TO THE SHOULDER. I WAITED INSIDE OUR CAR WHILE THE DRIVER SPOKE WITH THE POLICE. AS I WAITED, THE DOOR LOCKS SUDDENLY LATCHED AND THE ALARM STARTED. IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO UNLOCK THE CAR FROM THE INSIDE. THE DOOR HANDLES WERE COMPLETELY NON-FUNCTIONAL. THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT OPEN. I WAS TRAPPED INSIDE THE CAR. PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE CAR WERE UNABLE TO HELP ME ESCAPE. A TOW-TRUCK DRIVER ASKED ME TO RELEASE THE HOOD LATCH. HE ATTACHED A BATTERY PACK TO SOME TERMINALS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND WHEN THE INTERIOR LIGHTS CAME ON, I WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR AND LEAVE THE CAR. THEN HE DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY PACK AND THE CAR WENT DARK. IF THERE HAD BEEN A FIRE OR AN INJURY, THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION. AS AN ENGINEER I SEE TWO, NO-COST SOLUTIONS TO THIS PROBLEM. (1) SURROUND THE BATTERY WITH A STRONG BARRIER AND MOVE IT FARTHER AWAY FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR. (2) INCLUDE A MECHANICAL LINK TO THE DOOR LATCHES SO THAT THE DOORS CAN BE OPENED FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR WHEN THE BATTERY IS DISCONNECTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10499680

62,000 miles · Feb 21, 2013

Engine

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE FREEWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN CAR IMMEDIATELY LOST POWER, ENGINE OVER HEATING ILLUMINATED ON MY MESSAGE BOARD. HAD TO CROSS TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC WHILE SPEED WAS DECREASING, I THANKFULLY MADE IT TO THE SHOULDER. CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 2MPH. CALLED TOW TRUCK AND SENT TO BMW. CAR READ 62,000 MILES, BMW REPLACED WATERPUMP ($1,600). VANOS SPROCKETS THAT PREMATURELY FAIL ARE A KNOWN ISSUE AT THE BMW SERVICE CENTER HERE IN TX MINE FAILED AT 63,000 MILES ($1900). PASSENGER MAT SENSOR SEAT SENSOR FAILED AT 63,000 MILES ($800). A WELL KNOWN ISSUE AT THE BMW DEALERSHIP BIT THEY DO NOTHING ABOUT IT... NOW MY TURBO CHARGERS HAVE FAILED DUE TO WASTE GATE BUT THANKFULLY BMW EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 82,000 MILES. THIS IS THE WORST BMW I HAVE EVER PURCHASED NEVER HAVE I HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE 335I. ADVICE STAY AWAY FROM THE N54 TURBO CHARGED BMWS. BUY AN AUDI. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10499502

Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2013

Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

Read full complaint

2007 BMW 335I. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ACTUATOR FAILURE WHICH CAUSED THE CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PERMANENTLY LOCK VEHICLE DOORS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER HE ARRIVED AT HIS DESTINATION, HE ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DOOR, BUT IT FAILED TO OPEN. THEN, HE ATTEMPTED TO USE THE DOOR HANDLE TO EXIT FROM THE VEHICLE, BUT THAT FAILED TO OPEN THE DOOR AS WELL. AFTER APPLYING ALL PRACTICAL OPTIONS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, SUCH AS USING THE MANUAL DOOR RELEASE, INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL DOOR HANDLE, AND USING THE CENTRAL LOCKING MECHANISM, ALL THE DOORS FAILED TO OPEN. HE HAD TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW AND CLIMB OUT OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10495821

70,000 miles · Dec 17, 2012

EngineFuel System, Gasoline

Read full complaint

I HAVE OWNED THIS 2007 335I FOR 2 1/2 YEARS. I AM A 59 YEAR OLD FEMALE THAT DRIVES VERY CONSERVATIVELY. IN THE 2 1/2 YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE, THE FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. FOUR MONTHS AGO THE INJECTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THIS PAST FRIDAY THE ELECTRONIC WATER PUMP AND ELECTRONIC THERMOSTAT HAD TO BE REPLACED. NOT TYPICAL OF ANY BMW I HAVE OWNED IN THE PAST 12-15 YEARS. I CONTACTED OUR LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP AND THEY KNEW OF NO PROBLEMS WITH THIS PARTICULAR MODEL. I CONTACTED BMW TODAY REGARDING THIS MODEL AND THEY TOOK THE INFORMATION FOR REVIEW WHICH TO ME MEANS FILE 13. BMW KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE WATER PUMPS AND THE THERMOSTATS ON THIS PARTICULAR MODEL AND THEY CHOOSE TO DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. THEY ALSO KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE INJECTORS AND THEY CHOOSE TO DO NOTHING. I WAS TOLD THAT THE NHTSA MAKES THE DETERMINATION ON ALL RECALLS NOT THE INDIVIDUAL CAR MAKERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10488998

49,000 miles · Nov 4, 2012

Electrical SystemStructure

I WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. I HAD TO SLIDE OVER TO THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THERE IS A BMW SIB#: 51-19-07. I CANNOT BELIEVE THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL GIVEN THE FACT OF THE POSSIBILITY OF THE DRIVER OR A PASSENGER BEING TRAPPED INSIDE THE CAR. I HAVE SAVED BOTH DOOR LOCKS THAT MALFUNCTIONED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10483284

60,000 miles · Sep 24, 2012

Electrical System

KEY FOB WILL NOT UNLOCK DOORS. VALET KEY GETS YOU INTO THE DRIVERS DOOR, BUT THE OTHER DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK BY ANY MEANS, EITHER BY PULLING THE HANDLE OR BY OPERATING THE INTERIOR UNLOCK SWITCH. IN AN ACCIDENT THAT MIGHT DISABLE THE DOOR UNLOCK FUNCTION, 3 OF THE 4 COULD NOT BE OPENED FOR EXIT PURPOSES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10476814

63,995 miles · Sep 19, 2012

EngineFuel/propulsion System

HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED ON FREEWAY CAUSING IMMEDIATE LOSS OF 70% OF POWER. DEALERSHIP IS ALSO SAYING THAT FUEL INJECTORS ARE FAULTY. AFTER LOOKING THROUGH DIFFERENT INTERNET WEBSITES IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM IN EARLY 335I MODELS. ALMOST CRASHED BECAUSE OF IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10476509

56,000 miles · Jul 2, 2012

EngineFire

I PICKED UP MY CAR FROM THE DEALER AFTER REPLACEMENT OF THE ELECTRIC WATER PUMP. I DROVE HOME AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. 4 HOURS LATER MY NEIGHBOR ALERTED ME TO AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE THAT COMPLETELY DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10464029

Official recalls

24V513000 · Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jul 3, 2024

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

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

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Air Bags:frontal

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

20V017000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 15, 2020

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

17V676000 · Electrical System:wiring

Oct 25, 2017

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

13V564000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification

Nov 12, 2013

BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans and 325xi sports wagons, model year 2007 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi sedans and 328i and 328xi sports wagons, model year 2006-2007 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i sedans and 530xi sports wagons, model year 2006 760i sedans, model year 2006-2007 750i, 750Li, and 760Li sedans, and model year 2006 X5 sports activity vehicles, equipped with certain seat types. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if and how the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners with an interim notification letter in January 2014 since parts are not currently available. When parts are available, BMW sent a second letter in August and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, free of charge. Additionally, owners of model year 2006-2007 3 Series with standard seats, 5 Series with comfort seats, and Z4 models, will receive an extended warranty on their front passenger seat occupant detection mat. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

13V044000 · Electrical System; Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables; Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers

Feb 7, 2013

BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers

Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables

Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Electrical System

Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

PE08032 · Engine Stalling - Fuel Pump Failure

Opened Apr 28, 2008 · Closed Aug 15, 2008

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST FOR PE08-032 BMW STATED THAT DURING FAILURE OF THE HIGH PRESSURE PUMP THE CUSTOMER SHOULD INITIALLY EXPERIENCE LONGER ENGINE STARTING TIMES OR ROUGH ENGINE RUNNING.AFTER A DISTANCE OF APPROXIMATELY 1 TO 2 MILES THE PUMP- AND ENGINE-EMERGENCY OPERATION PROGRAM IS ACTIVATED, AND THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP IS ILLUMINATED.DESPITE REDUCED ENGINE POWER BMW BELIEVES THAT SAFE VEHICLE OPERATION IS POSSIBLE AND THAT VEHICLE DRIVEABILITY, STEERING, AND BRAKING SYSTEMS ARE NOT AFFECTED AND FUNCTION IN A NORMAL MANNER.BMW INDICATED THAT ONLY IN VERY RARE CASES COULD THE ENGINE STALL. ODI'S ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY DATA CLAIMS INDICATING POSSIBLE STALL INCIDENTS ESTIMATES THAT THE RATE AT THREE YEARS IN SERVICE WOULD BE LESS THAN 1.0% OF THE POPULATION (NOTE THAT SOME OF THE CLAIMS INDICATING STALL DO NOT APPEAR TO INVOLVE ACTUAL ENGINE STALLS, BUT RATHER OPERATION AT REDUCED ENGINE POWER).ODI'S ANALYSIS OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS DETERMINED THAT ABOUT HALF DESCRIBE THE CONSEQUENCE OF THE FAILURE AS OPERATION IN LIMP MODE, 27 PERCENT INDICATE THE PROBLEM RESULTED IN A HARD START OR NO START CONDITION AND 19 PERCENT STATE THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DETECTED BY ILLUMINATION OF THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP OR A MINOR DRIVEABILITY SYMPTOM. ONLY FOUR PERCENT OF THE COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND BMW INDICATE THAT AN ENGINE STALL OCCURRED.BMW INDICATED THAT A SERVICE ACTION WAS INITIATED IN APRIL 2008 TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM AND IT IS CONTINUING TO MONITOR THE FIELD SITUATION AND ANALYZE FIELD DATA. FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS AND OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF WARRANTED.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Fuel System, Gasoline

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump