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EnginePart report

2011 BMW 135I Engine Problems

Complaints
11about this part
Share
41%of 27 total for the year
Median mileage
30,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the engine of the 2011 BMW 135I, 41% of the 27 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Vehicle will jolt forward. This issue has happened to me over 100 times. The issue is best described like this. I will drive through a fast food drive-thru line and there will be 1 other vehicle in front of me. I will pull up and brake to a complete stop to order. The other vehicle is at the restaurant window paying so that car is only about 20 feet in front of me. Since the gap between me and the other car are so close I will not give my vehicle any gas, I will only lift my foot off the brake and move forward at idle speeds. …”

NHTSA complaint #10700986, filed 2015-03, 30,000 miles

“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. These two characteristics happen frequently and are very scary. …”

NHTSA complaint #10497673, filed 2013-02, 100 miles

“Vehicle hesitates when pressing the accelerator when passing vehicles or merging into traffic on the highway nearly causing collision with other vehicles. Check engine light comes on when when vehicle is accelerating 99% of the time. When vehicle is stopped vehicle will try to surge forward. Extremely dangerous vehicle. Shame on Bmw for not recalling allof these models!”

NHTSA complaint #11299283, filed 2020-01, 56,300 miles

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #10483634, filed 2012-11, 600 miles

“BMW Series 135I2011 - Engine/Vanos bolts failed/failing! When it's started, you can total tell there is an issue with it...Car is basically NON-Drivable due to this condition due to safety concerns! The vin is not being covered by the recall due to but this is a SERIOUS issue! This needs to be covered by BMW! …”

NHTSA complaint #11616579, filed 2024-09

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2013217%
20121053%
20111141%
200927%
200848%

Other parts of the 2011 BMW 135I

Electrical system
7 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2011 BMW 135I

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology