BMW 335i Engine Problems by Year
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Yes. 98 of the 315 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011–2015 BMW 335i (31.1%) name the engine, 1.6× the median share across the 152 models we track. We have no published sales figures for this model, so there is no per-1,000 rate. The worst years are 2011 and 2013.
Engine complaints
98
Filed with NHTSA, 2011–2015 models
Per 1,000 sold
No sales data
Not computed without a published sales figure
Share of all complaints
31.1%
of 315 complaints for this model
Engine recalls
1
NHTSA campaigns, all years
BMW 335i engine complaints by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA whose component list includes Engine and Engine Cooling. Worst years are highlighted.
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of all complaints | Crash / fire / injury | Engine recalls | Engine TSBs* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011WORST | 60 | 33.3% | 1 | 14V176000 | 30 |
| 2012 | 8 | 21.6% | 1 | 14V176000 | 131 |
| 2013WORST | 22 | 32.4% | 1 | — | 129 |
| 2014 | 5 | 25% | 0 | — | 117 |
| 2015 | 3 | 30% | 0 | — | 97 |
- Older model years have had more time on the road to collect complaints, so compare neighboring years, not 2010 against 2024.
- Crash / fire / injury = complaints where the owner reported a crash, a fire or an injury.
- *Technical service bulletins in the year's leading TSB categories that name the engine.
Common BMW 335i engine problems owners describe
We searched the narratives of all 98 engine complaints for symptom keywords. One complaint can mention several, so the shares don't add up to 100%.
BMW 335i years to avoid for the engine
2011 BMW 335i
60 engine complaints (33.3% of the year's 180). Most often described: stalling or shutting off while driving. Covered by engine recall 14V176000.
2013 BMW 335i
22 engine complaints (32.4% of the year's 68). Most often described: loss of power or limp mode.
Worst years are those with at least 10 engine complaints and at least 1.5 times the model's median year. For every year's overall verdict, including other systems, see the BMW 335i years to avoid.
BMW 335i engine recalls
NHTSA recall campaigns filed under Engine for any BMW 335i model year. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check a specific car by VIN on NHTSA's site.
- 14V176000 · 2014-04-10 · 2011–2012 models
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.
Related research
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2011 BMW 335i have engine problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 60 engine complaints with NHTSA for the 2011 BMW 335i, 33.3% of all 180 complaints for that year. The most common description is "stalling or shutting off while driving" (18 complaints). One engine-related recall covers it: 14V176000. 1 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2013 BMW 335i have engine problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 22 engine complaints with NHTSA for the 2013 BMW 335i, 32.4% of all 68 complaints for that year. The most common description is "loss of power or limp mode" (5 complaints). 1 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Which BMW 335i years have the most engine complaints?
2011 (60), 2013 (22) and 2012 (8), by owner complaints filed with NHTSA that name the engine. Raw counts favor older and higher-selling years, so treat them as a signal, not a rate.
What are the most common BMW 335i engine problems?
In the 98 engine complaints, owners most often describe stalling or shutting off while driving (25.5%), loss of power or limp mode (19.4%) and overheating or coolant loss (13.3%). One complaint can mention several symptoms.
Is this a engine failure rate?
No. These are complaints owners chose to file with NHTSA. Many failures are never reported, and one complaint is not a confirmed defect. Without sales figures, a high count can simply mean a high-selling model.
How we count
Counts are unique owner complaints (by NHTSA ODI number) filed with NHTSA for each BMW 335i model year, from NHTSA's public complaints data fetched July 2026 to November 2026. A complaint counts as a engine complaint when NHTSA's component list for it includes Engine and Engine Cooling.
Per 1,000 sold divides complaints by published U.S. calendar-year sales for that year. A year needs at least 5,000 sales to get a rate, and a model needs at least 3 such years for its overall rate. The comparison median covers every model with at least 50 engine complaints that clears those floors.
These are complaint rates, not failure rates. Owners report some problems more than others, and a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Sources
- NHTSA complaints by vehicle (owner complaints API) — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report a vehicle safety problem — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration