CSR

BMW · NHTSA safety record

2010 BMW 335I

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

41

Complaints

2

Crashes

2

Fires

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2010 BMW 335I have filed 41 safety complaints with NHTSA between February 2010 and December 2025. The most complained-about system is the air bags, named in 13 of them (32%). The typical failure was reported at 34,000 miles, the median across the 24 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 4 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (4)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

24V513000 · July 3, 2024

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

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 394,029 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

20V017000 · January 15, 2020

The defect
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.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 59,965 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

17V676000 · October 25, 2017

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

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 702,965 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

13V044000 · February 7, 2013

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

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 516,791 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 41.

AIR BAGS 13 32%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9 22%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 7 17%
ENGINE 5 12%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 4 10%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 4 10%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 2 5%
SERVICE BRAKES 2 5%
STEERING 2 5%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2 5%
VISIBILITY 2 5%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 1 2%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2010 at 10.

2010 2025
2010 to 2025

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 77,000 miles

TAKATA RECALL. I WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR, SLOW SPEED ACCIDENT WHERE MY VEHICLE REAR-ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITH SUCH FORCE THAT BOTH FRONT PASSENGER WINDOWS WERE BLOWN OUT AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED. I SUFFERED PARTIAL HEARING LOSS AS A RESULT. VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MPH ON A HIGHWAY AT THE TIME.

NHTSA complaint 10881828. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

fire · 33,000 miles

WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WE SMELLED BURNING PLASTIC AND PULLED OVER TO INVESTIGATE. UPON PULLING OVER WE FOUND A SMALL FIRE WAS BURNING IN THE HEAD/FOG LIGHT AREA OF THE VEHICLE. BOTH THE HEAD AND FOG LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE FIRE QUICKLY SPREAD TO THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS BY STATE FARM. NEITHER STATE FARM NOR BMWNA WERE ABLE TO DETERMINE THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE; HOWEVER, AN INTERNET INVESTIGATION HIGHLIGHTED TWO OTHER INSTANCES OF A VERY SIMILAR SITUATION WITH 3-SERIES SEDANS FROM THE SAME GENERATION AS THIS ONE. SEE THE FOLLOWING URL: OF NOTE TO ANYONE WHO MAY HAVE ENCOUNTERED A SIMILAR SITUATION.. BMWNA

NHTSA complaint 10502544, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

fire · 53,000 miles

MY HEAD LIGHTS WITH ADAPTIVE DRIVE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED THE WIRES.

NHTSA complaint 11397981. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

crash · towed · 111,000 miles

MY REAR LEFT BRAKE CALIPER STARTED SHOOTING OUT BRAKE FLUID FROM WITHIN THE MIDDLE. I HAVE AN ATE CALIPER. THIS COVERS MODELS FROM ABOUT 2006-2014. ON BIMMERFEST.COM, E90POST.COM, ETC . . . MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. ON ROCKAUTO, AUTOZONE, ETC . . . THE PREMIUM RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT IS TO GET A CALIPER FOR THE REAR THAT HAS NO PHENOLIC PISTON, YET, INSTEAD HAS A SOLID METAL PISTON. UNTO THE WORST, AT TIMES, THE PHENOLIC PISTON HAS EJECTED FROM THE CALIPER AND JAMMED THE BRAKE PADS TO THE VERY ROTORS. ATE CALIPERS ARE OFTEN USED AS SINGLE OR DUAL PIN BOOTED CALIPERS ON BENZ. THEY ALWAYS HAVE METAL PISTONS. I HAVE PREMIUM BRAKES. MY ROTORS ARE UNHARMED, MY BRAKE PADS ARE UNHARMED.

NHTSA complaint 11325908, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2010 BMW 335I. The vehicle was a custom-modified vehicle and a company mascot. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V676000 (Electrical System); however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact self-identified as an independent mechanic who wanted to be present when recall repair was performed; however, the contact preferred to have the recall disassociated with the VIN and to perform the recall repair himself. The local dealer was contacted and declined the contact to be present during the recall remedy process. The manufacturer was contacted, but the contact was advised that the request was denied. In addition, the contact was not advised on

NHTSA complaint 11702256, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Good Morning Folks, I own a 2010 BMW 335i sedan with approximately 110k miles and I will have to be replacing AGAIN, the valve cover gaskets in the car. The first time I had to replace the VCGs was back in 2016 and the vehicle barely had 50k miles on it. Had to replace the VCGs again in 2020. Milage was approximately 92k miles. Fast forward to today and once again, the VCG are leaking. This is an obvious manufacturer defect and I would request that the NHTSA look into to this reoccurring problem with BMW North America. The replacement cost of the VCGs on these vehicles is costly and because it is happening so frequently, BMW should not only be required to cover the cost of replacement but

NHTSA complaint 11694468, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

150,000 miles

The contact owns a 2010 BMW 335I. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was self-diagnosed, and the contact stated that the camshaft timing bolts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired by the contact. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 150,000.

NHTSA complaint 11659108. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
RECALL 17V-676: BLOWER MOTOR WIRING was preformed several years ago. Today the wiring connection added during the recall work failed and the blower motor stopped working.

NHTSA complaint 11582603. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
The engine stalled multiple times driving on the highway. When I turn off the car and turn on the car, it would go back to normal. I researched this is a problem for 335d, I think im experiencing the same problem, not sure why 335i is not included in the recall list. This happened multiple times for me and I ignored it at that time, other person has also experienced the same issue when he was driving my car. Now the electrical battery power is completely shut off and there is no recall, this really bothers me.

NHTSA complaint 11508094. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The high pressure fuel pump failed. I still have the vehicle but it does work. It cannot be driven with a bad high pressure fuel pump. To repair it is over $2000.00.

NHTSA complaint 11499513. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the BMW 335I

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2015 10 3
2014 20 5
2013 43 2
2012 22 3
2011 97 7

Other 2010 BMW models

Every BMW on this site — 249 vehicles, 484 recall campaigns and 2 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst