BMW M235I Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints across the 3 model years of the BMW M235I (2014–2016) that have at least 5 complaints. 2016 has the most, with 8. Across all years, the part named most often is transmission and drivetrain (3 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All M235I model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 8 | 18,000 | 0 | 289 | — | Not enough data |
| 2015 | 5 | 23,050 | 2 | 319 | — | Not enough data |
| 2014 | 5 | 32,000 | 3 | 292 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Transmission and drivetrain3 16%
- Exterior lighting3 16%
- Electrical system3 16%
- Seat belts2 11%
- Other or unknown2 11%
- Fuel system2 11%
- Engine2 11%
- Air bags2 11%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2014: “As I was merging on to the expressway (trying to get to 70mph) the car suddenly went into limp mode and a warning flashed up saying drivetrain malfunction: drive moderately . I have attached a picture. After which I was restricted to 50mph and around 1700rpm. Car was sluggish and slow and was dangerous considering I was on an expressway.”
NHTSA complaint #10958057, filed 2017-03, 43,000 miles2015: “I was driving down the interstate at approximately 70 MPH, windows up, sunscreen closed, and sunscreen shade closed as well. I hear what can only be described as a shotgun blast above my head and then pieces of glass bouncing off the top of my car. The explosion was extremely loud, obviously startling, and caused me to swerve my car at highway speeds. I was not passing under a bridge and there were no cars in front of me either. I slow down and looked up through the vents in the sunscreen shade and I noticed a gaping hole in the glass of my sunscreen. …”
NHTSA complaint #11267818, filed 2019-10, 39,500 miles2016: “In late february 1, 2019, the sunroof on my 2016 Bmw M235I xdrive exploded while driving on the garden state parkway. I was not going underneath any overpass, and nothing hit the glass. The explosion was unprovoked. The sunshade was not closed, and the glass fell all over me, large and small shards. I was driving about 65mph in heavy morning rush hour traffic, and pieces of glass flew off the car and likely hit other cars. It was very alarming and scary. I was about 5 miles from a Bmw dealer and drove right to the dealer where the car is still sitting waiting to be fixed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11175995, filed 2019-02, 45,000 milesOther BMW models
3,165 complaintsBMW 328I
2,576 complaintsBMW X3
2,016 complaintsBMW 325I
1,377 complaintsBMW Z4
1,271 complaintsBMW 3 Series
832 complaintsBMW 528I
830 complaintsBMW 330I
813 complaints
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. Methodology