AI Damage2011 BMW 135I US: common problems
Owners of the 2011 BMW 135I US filed 4 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 50% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 50% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 50% of all complaints
- 4 Wheels 25% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (50% of all).
- Engine: 2 complaints (50% of all).
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (50% of all).
- Wheels: 1 complaints (25% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 4 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
Unintended acceleration because of dual-clutch transmission (dct); car was in drive slowing to stop sign. Almost at stop car lurched 2 to 3 feet into the intersection before I could slam on brakes. In earlier sputter and lurch situation with the dct, car was slowing down to accelerate through intersection in traffic.
When I was driving back home I noticed a heavy white smoke coming from the engine bay, and a burning smell. I immediately stopped the vehicle. For my fortune it wasn't a fire, it was just burning oil.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 15,521 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 42% most complained about).
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Wheels. Wheel runout, cracks, signs of a wheel strike.
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2011 BMW 135I US?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine, powertrain. Total complaints: 4. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: A/C or heater (25%), jerking, harsh shifts (25%), oil leak or consumption (25%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2011 BMW 135I US?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2011 BMW 135I US from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2011 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.