2012 BMW 335I: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2012 BMW 335I: 3 recalls, 22 owner complaints and up to 26 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #14V176000 · 2014 · 156,137 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If the bolts loosen or break the engine May have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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…
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #15V520000 · 2015 · 7,727 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle May be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2015.
Airbags Vehicle recall #20V017000 · 2020 · 59,965 vehicles
What's wrong: These inflators May explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 1 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (14): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Engine (4): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (2).
- Seats (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Other / unknown (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2012 BMW 335I has 22 owner complaints, ranking #7 of 11 335I model years for complaints (well below the 74 average). Complaints peaked in 2017 (8 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 56,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2011 (98 complaints, 7 recalls), 2013 (43 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 23 | 32 | 26 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 23 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2012 BMW 335I.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2012 BMW 335I have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2012 BMW 335I. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2012 BMW 335I problems?
Owners have filed 22 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (14), engine (4), seats (3).
What gas mileage does the 2012 BMW 335I get?
EPA ratings run up to 26 mpg combined (3.0 L, Automatic (S8)), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2012 BMW 335I repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.