This page covers 4 recalls, 19 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2012 BMW 135i.
20–23 mpg combined
10.2–11.8 L/100km
Subcompact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
Fuel and propulsion issues are the dominant pattern owners report for the 2012 BMW 135i. Cooling system failures come up repeatedly, owners describe thermostat failures, coolant leaks, cracked pipes, and air in the coolant system, sometimes leading to overheating and unexpected engine shutdowns while driving. Several owners also report stalling and hesitation under acceleration, with the engine failing to respond for several seconds when pulling away from a stop, sometimes accompanied by a check engine light. The powertrain complaints include a handful of reports about camshaft position sensor codes and rough running. Airbag complaints round out the top three reported systems, though the narratives there are less specific about shared symptoms. The cooling system complaints are the most consistent thread, with multiple owners describing what sounds like a recurring sequence of failures rather than isolated incidents.
19
Total Complaints
By System
The 2012 BMW 135i has 4 recalls, the most serious being a driver's frontal airbag inflator that can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, posing a risk of serious injury or death to the driver or passengers.
The airbag inflator issue has been the subject of prior repair attempts that did not fully resolve the problem, and both filings describe the same rupture risk, so owners who received an earlier remedy should confirm with a dealer whether their vehicle still requires service. On the electrical side, the wiring harness that runs to the blower regulator can overheat and melt its connectors, and because this can happen even when the car is parked and unattended, it carries a fire risk. There is also a drivetrain concern: the constant velocity joint, which transfers power through the driveshaft to the wheels, can fracture and cause a sudden loss of propulsion, leaving the vehicle unable to accelerate and raising the chance of a crash.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver frontal air bag inflator may explode due to chemical breakdown after prolonged exposure to humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Replace the driver air bag inflator. On X5 and X6 models, only the inflator is replaced. Repair is free.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The wiring and electrical connectors in the blower-regulator wiring harness may overheat.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the blower-regulator wiring harness with a new part at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear driveshaft CV joint may weaken over time and break, potentially affecting power delivery to the rear wheels.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the rear driveshaft CV joint and replace it if needed based on production date, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's front air bag inflator may build up excessive pressure and rupture when the air bag deploys.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver's front air bag module or inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
