Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

29 reports

65,000 miles · Jan 22, 2015

Engine

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I HAVE A WELL MAINTAINED 2009 BMW 135I WITH 65000 MILES. YESTERDAY, 1/21/15, WHILE TRAVELING AT 75MPH IN 6TH GEAR IN THE LEFT LANE OF GA400, THE CAR ABRUPTLY AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING OVERHEATED AND LOST ALL POWER. THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVING 100% NORMAL, OIL TEMPS WERE NORMAL, AND HAD BEEN IN FOR A RECENT OIL CHANGE AND INSPECTION TWO WEEKS PRIOR WITH NO SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO COAST ACROSS CROSS 4 LANES OF HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC TO MAKE IT TO THE SHOULDER. WHEN I CALLED TWO DIFFERENT BMW SERVICE CENTERS FROM THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT SEE THE CAR UNTIL FEBRUARY 3RD (TWO WEEKS) AND WERE BACKED UP ON LOANERS AND RENTALS AS WELL. I CALLED BRAXTON AUTOMOTIVE ((404) 367-4767), AN EXPERIENCED REPAIR SHOP, AND THEY, FROM MY BRIEF OVER-THE-PHONE DESCRIPTION, INSTANTLY IDENTIFIED THE ISSUE AS A WATER PUMP FAILURE, A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS N54 ENGINE. WHEN THEY RECEIVED THE CAR, THEY CONFIRMED A CATASTROPHIC WATER PUMP FAILURE AND A CONSEQUENTLY CRACKED RADIATOR. I CALLED BMW USA THE NIGHT OF THE INCIDENT AND LEARNED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL OR SERVICE BULLETIN IN PLACE. THEY WERE APOLOGETIC BUT REFUSED TO LOOK INTO THE ISSUE UNLESS I BROUGHT MY CAR TO A DEALER SERVICE CENTER. THIS WAS UNREASONABLE BECAUSE OF THE TIME LAG AND BECAUSE I HAD ALREADY TOWED THE CAR TO BRAXTON, WHO HAD ALREADY IDENTIFIED AND BEGUN REPAIR ON THE PROBLEM. I HAD SWORE OFF BMWS WHEN I HAD MY HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP REPLACED 3 TIMES IN THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNING THIS 2009 CAR. NOW I AM GOING TO SELL THIS DANGEROUS PIECE OF CRAP. TOO BAD, I LOVE THE WAY IT LOOKS AND DRIVES, WHEN ITS NOT IN THE SHOP OR SHUTTING DOWN AT HIGH SPEEDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10678230

11,100 miles · Sep 21, 2010

Fuel System, Gasoline

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I OWN A 2009 BMW 135I WITH THE N54 TWIN TURBO ENGINE. ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 70MPH WHEN SUDDENLY THE CAR LOST ALL POWER AND SUDDENLY DECELERATED. A WARNING LAMP ON THE DASH CAME ON INDICATING THE CAR WAS ONLY OPERATING AT HALF ENGINE POWER. THE CAR WAS RUNNING VERY ROUGHLY AND SHOOK AND SHUDDERED VIOLENTLY WHEN I PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR....I WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN A VEHICLE SPEED ABOVE 50MPH. I FINALLY HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND LET TRAFFIC PASS. WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN PARK IT WAS STILL SHAKING AND HEAVING. I REPORTED THIS IMMEDIATELY TO THE BMW SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHERE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE. WHILE I WAS TOLD IT WAS DUE TO THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, I WAS TOLD THAT BMW WAS UNABLE TO OFFER ANY RESOLUTION AT THIS TIME. SINCE THEN, THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES, EACH TIME IN HEAVY RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I FEEL THAT THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND IS LIKELY GOING TO RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. BMW IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND YET SEEMS TO BE UNABLE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THE 135I, 335I AND 535I HAVE REPORTED SIMILAR INSTANCES. WILL YOU PLEASE ENCOURAGE BMW TO RECALL THESE UNSAFE VEHICLES BEFORE SOMEBODY IS HURT OR KILLED? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10356846

2,500 miles · Sep 20, 2010

Electrical System

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 135I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE OFF WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN UNUSUAL NOISE. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE AND A NOISE WAS EXHIBITED FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE CONTACT DECLINED THE REPAIR. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING CERTAIN BMWS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL PUMP AND REPROGRAMMING THE VEHICLE IF A WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,500.

NHTSA ODI #10356563

9,000 miles · Aug 26, 2010

Fuel System, Gasoline

2009 BMW 135I HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE. THIS HAS BEEN A BAD PROBLEM WITH 3 MODEL YEARS (2008, 2009, AND 2010) OF BMW 135I CARS. LUCKILY MY CAR WAS FIXED DUE TO LONG START CRANKS BEFORE THE COMMON SYMPTOM OF ENGINE DYING DURING DRIVING CONDITIONS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10352196

15,000 miles · Jul 26, 2010

Fuel System, Gasoline

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MY 2009 BMW 135I BEGAN EXPERIENCING "LONG CRANKS" WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE ENGINE COLD. WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS THE CAR BEGAN EXPERIENCING INTENSE VIBRATION WHEN ACCELERATING. FOLLOWING THE VIBRATION, THE CAR EXPERIENCED LACK OF POWER AND ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND SHOULD BE FURTHER INVESTIGATED DUE TO THE FREQUENCY OF THIS PROBLEM WITH BMW'S HPFP. THE DEALERSHIP UPDATED THE CARS SOFTWARE AND REPLACED THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10345556

10,000 miles · Mar 31, 2010

Fuel System, Gasoline

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VEHICLES AFFECTED: BMW 135I, 335I, 535I...ANY BMW USING THE N54 ENGINE WILL HAVE A PART CALLED THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. MINE HAS FAILED ON ME TWICE, THE FIRST TIME THE PUMP FAILED I WAS STATIONARY. SECOND TIME THE PUMP FAILED I WAS DRIVING AT 60KM/H AND TRIED TO ACCELERATE TO OVERTAKE...THE PUMP FAILED AND VEHICLE HAD SHUT OFF AND INSTANT LOSS OF POWER CAUSING CARS TO RAPIDLY BRAKE. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND CAN BE DANGEROUS IF THE PROBLEM HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND UNEXPECTED. BMW HAS TRIED TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE BY ISSUING NEW PARTS...I HAVE OBTAINED NEW PARTS AND I AM ON MY 3RD PUMP AND THIS IS SHOWING SIGNS OF FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10323014

18,000 miles · Mar 22, 2010

Engine And Engine Cooling

CAR RUNNING ROUGH, MISS-FIRING, AND LOSS OF POWER WHILE IN TRAFFIC. NOVEMBER 2009 OCCURRENCE, HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP REPLACED. JANUARY 2010 OCCURRENCE, DEALER REQUESTED PERMISSION TO REPLACE PARTS CALLED FOR UNDER THE FAULT CODE, BMW NA REFUSED TO GRANT PERMISSION. MARCH 2010 OCCURRENCE, DEALER REQUESTED PERMISSION TO REPLAC…

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NHTSA ODI #10321322

6,500 miles · Jan 27, 2010

Fuel System, Gasoline

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EVEN THOUGH IT SHOWS A BMW 135 ON THE VEHICLE DESCRIPTION THIS IS FOR 2009 BMW 335I, IT DOES NOT HAVE THAT CHOICE ON THE MENUS. ALSO I DID NOT INCLUDE THE VIN NUMBER BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS STILL IN GERMANY AND HAS NEVER BEEN REGISTERED IN THE USA.. AT LEAST UNTIL THIS APRIL WHEN I GET BACK THERE IF I DON'T GET RID OF IT BEFORE THEN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON ANY SURFACE, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD GO ON "SAVE MODE" LOOSING POWER. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE TURNED OFF. THIS WILL HAPPEN ALL THE TIME... THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND AFTER A WEEK OF TROUBLESHOOTING AND CONTACTING BMW IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE HP FUEL PUMP WAS THE PROBLEM AND IT WAS REPLACED. THREE MONTHS LATER THE CAR STARTED TO TAKE TOO LONG TO START WHEN COLD SO BACK TO THE DEALER AND IT'S BEEN THERE FOR OVER A WEEK AND THE LAST UPDATE I RECEIVED WAS THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE TO CHANGE THE FUEL PUMP AGAIN. THIS IS A BRAND NEW CAR BUILT IN APRIL 2009 WHICH I PICKED UP AT BMW HERE IN GERMANY WITH US SPECS. THE CAR HAS AROUND 7K MILES.*CW *TR

NHTSA ODI #10302473

27,056 miles · Jan 22, 2010

Fuel System, Gasoline

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THERE IS NO MODEL OPTION FOR A 335I OR 335 XI FOR 2009. THIS NEEDS TO BE CHANGED. THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER ON HIGHWAY. I WAS SURROUNDED BY OTHER VEHICLES INCLUDING TRUCKS DOING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. I CAME CLOSE TO GETTING REAR ENDED WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY SLOWED WITHOUT ANY BRAKE LIGHTS AND I COULD NOT GO FASTER THEN 40 MPH. THIS IS THE THIRD FAILURE OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, (HPFP) ON THIS 2009 BMW 335I. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HPFP AGAIN BUT EXPECTS THE FAILURES TO CONTINUE AS BMW HAS NOT PROVIDED ANY RESOLUTION FOR THE HPFP FAILURES AND SAFETY RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH SAME DESPITE THIS PROBLEM EXISTING FOR FOUR MODEL YEARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10301840

500 miles · Jan 21, 2010

Fuel System, Gasoline

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MY 2009 BMW 335 I WITH XDRIVE EXHIBITS SLOW STARTING, TURBO LAG, DECREASED FUEL ECONOMY AND PERFORMANCE. THIS HAS LED TO A FEW INSTANCES WHERE I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO QUICKLY MOVE OUT OF THE WAY OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC, MERGE WITH QUICKLY MOVING TRAFFIC, ETC. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. ON TWO THEY REPLACED THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. RECENTLY, THE CAR STARTED EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AND I WAS FORCED TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER. I AM CURRENTLY WAITING ON THE OUTCOME. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 10,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10301748

Official recalls

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.

19V579000 · Electrical System:wiring

Aug 6, 2019

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2012 BMW 128i, 135i, 135is Coupes and 128i, 135i Convertible vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors in the blower-regulator wiring harness 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 inspect the blower-regulator wiring harness, and replace it with a new part, free of charge. The recall began October 4, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion of an earlier recall number 17V-676.

16V071000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Feb 5, 2016

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with 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's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

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

EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module