2011 BMW 135I problems
NHTSA has received 35 complaints about the 2011 BMW 135I, and 31% of them involve engine. After that come electrical system (20%) and air bags (17%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 35 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 31% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 1 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 1 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 56,000 miles 21 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 5 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 5 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 3 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 3 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 2 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 2 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 1 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 21 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 56,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 1 complaint mentions a crash; 2 complaints mention a fire; 1 injury reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2011 ranks 4th most-complained-about out of 4 model years of the BMW 135I with enough data (13 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 6 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
The vehicle hesitated when the light turned green and I was hit in the rear. Starting to believe this is what cause the accident and still the dealership can't fix it and lies about what they are doing and I'm really close to the lemon law I think. BMW n america customer service won't let me pass anyone other than the call center. Don't know where to go from here. Also I have asked for a factory representative 3 times and they will not comply.
Engine acceleration lag. The car hesitates when the gas pedal is pushed down. This occurs when it is moving at a slow speed of 5 to 10 MPH and at a halt. It creates a dangerous situation if you are merging with traffic or trying to enter traffic from a side street. When the gas pedal is depressed it can be as long as 2 to 3 seconds before the engine accelerates.
Crossing the street---I had the gas peddle all the way to the floor (twice yesterday) and the car literally did not move and traffic was approaching. The car eventually moved forward. Problem---hesitation in the engine when applying the gas as I pull out to cross the intersection, slow down to make a turn, or just try to move forward with traffic after stopping. Also, as I applied the brake, when approaching a stop light, the car surges forward toward the car in front of me.
When moving slowly and then rapidly accelerating, such as when attempting to turn onto a busy road, the car seems to shut off the fuel for a solid 2 seconds, so the car actually slows rather than speeds up. The driver, when trying to turn in traffic, will panic and press harder on the gas and nothing will happen until the 2 seconds is over, and then the car suddenly takes off into traffic. This happens consistently and is dangerous when trying to merge in traffic.
Takata recall I live in a gulf state, sarasota county. Received safety recall in march 2016. Immediately contacted dealer. Again in april. They were to call me to install new airbag. Oct 24 contacted dealer again. No return call as promised. Called 10/27 and was informed that the original list of recalled bmw's from march was not available and since I had called in again they would now put be on a list for the safety recall.