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BMW 135IModel year report

2012 BMW 135I Problems

Complaints
19filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
50,000miles, 15 complaints with mileage
Recalls
6campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
22 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl RWD · 19 city / 27 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 BMW 135I (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 2012 BMW 135I. The part named most often is engine, with 10 complaints (53% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (6) and fuel system (5). 15 of the complaints include a mileage, and 47% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 50,000 miles. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 104 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 14 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the constant velocity joint and 8 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Engine: “When I had fewer than 50k miles, my thermostat broke suddenly while I was driving. I had no previous issues or warning lights. Since that repair, I have had 2 coolant leaks, and one related pipe crack. This week, I had air in my coolant system and had to have it drained. These all appear to be related.”

NHTSA complaint #11307058, filed 2020-02, 50,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “Have taken the car five times for the same stalling,and lagging of the faulty dual clutch transmission. The car hesitates 3-5seconds no response to throttle input and then lunges violently forward. Car holds gear when pulling away from lights and then surges when parking the car almost causing me to hit cars parked next to me. Software has been updated on the car four times and the issue is still there. Was told that the mass airflow sensor was also faulty in the car and that might be causing the issue of surging and fluctuating idle. …”

NHTSA complaint #10496145, filed 2013-02, 2,000 miles

Fuel system: “Vehicle stalls when accelerating from a stopped position. Several time, while stopped at an intersection with crossing traffic, I attempted to drive through the intersection but the car failed to accelerate. I tried shifting from auto to manual but the car still failed to accelerate for at least 5 seconds at which time it jolted forward. The issue started at around the 50k mile mark 3 years ago and continues still today (~90k miles). …”

NHTSA complaint #11402494, filed 2021-03, 55,000 miles

Air bags: “Passenger seat occupancy sensor is having errors. Showing a passenger when none is present and also showing no passenger when there is one in the seat. This is a pretty major safety issue.”

NHTSA complaint #11099232, filed 2018-06, 75,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

47% of the 15 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 33,000 and 52,000 miles.

20%0–100%10–2527%25–5047%50–757%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (15 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 50,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

2013201420162017201842019202020212023
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2012 BMW 135I version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
135i RWD3.0L 6-cyl6-speed manual202823$3,550
135i RWD3.0L 6-cyl7-speed automatic182520$4,100
135i Convertible RWD3.0L 6-cyl6-speed manual192722$3,750
135i Convertible RWD3.0L 6-cyl7-speed automatic182520$4,100

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2012 BMW 135I → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 104 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 104 bulletins →

Other model years of the BMW 135I

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20131226,1062—22—Not enough data
20121950,0006—22—Falling
20112757,1006—2231 · FewerFalling
2010157,5404—20—Stable
2009299,0004—2063 · TypicalFalling
20085142,0004—2050 · TypicalFalling

All BMW 135I model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 BMW 135I have?

NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 2012 BMW 135I as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2012 BMW 135I is reported most often?

Engine is named most often, in 10 complaints (53% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 6.

Has the 2012 BMW 135I been recalled?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2012 BMW 135I get?

The EPA rates the 2012 BMW 135I (135i Convertible, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 19 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,750 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2012 BMW 135I reported?

Among the 15 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 50,000 miles and the middle half falls between 33,000 and 52,000 miles; 47% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.