AI DamageBMW M235I: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the BMW M235I across 7 model years: 9 owner complaints and 142 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 33% of all complaints
- 2 Exterior lighting 22% of all complaints
- 3 Visibility 11% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 11% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel system 11% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 11% of all complaints
- 7 Seat belts 11% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (33% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 94.
- Exterior lighting: 2 complaints (22% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 20.
- Visibility: 1 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 18.
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 12.
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2020–2024
- 3 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl 2014–2016
- automatic, 8-speed 2014–2024
- manual, 6-speed 2014–2016
Drive: AWD, RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 9 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 | 3 | 0 | 94 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 20 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 18 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 12 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 125 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 29 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 27 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| Seats | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Tires | 0 | 0 | 10 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
While driving on the highway returning from scheduled dealer maintenance on the car, the informations screen showed a warning that there was a drive train malfunction and that the car would not be drivable after the current drive ended.
Our M235I has a transmission leak "thru the wall of the case" (i.e. THROUGH THE METAL CASE) as determined by a local BMW Dealer. They are not able to provide any Technical Service Bulletins or etc. from BMW for this "leaky case" issue. But they are saying this is a KNOWN problem with the transmission cases.
BMW 2 series cars from about 2015-2018 have faulty wiring and brake light assemblies. BMW has admitted this design flaw in the harness and light - they extended the warranty for one year. As you know, brake light failures represent a real risk.
Summary: OVER TIME, RESISTANCE IN THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS MAY CAUSE ONE OR MORE REAR LAMP FUNCTIONS (TAIL LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND/OR TURN-SIGNAL), WITHIN THE VEHICLE'S BODY PANEL, TO STOP WORKING. Consequence: INTERMITTENT LIGHT OPERATION REDUCES THE ABILITY TO WARN OTHER MOTORISTS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS.
Driver side seatbelt is slow to retract and keeps getting twisted when retracting. You have to carefully help feed the belt into the b pillar for it not to do that. If not, it will almost get jammed in the b pillar and get stuck and becomes non-functional.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 bmw m235i. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the odor of fuel was present. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel tank had cracked and needed to be replaced. The cause of the damaged fuel tank was not determined.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- The engines turbocharger wastegate valve controller limited warranty for defects in materials and / or…
- The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few…
- At low outside temperatures (below 40 degrees F) and slow driving speeds (i.e
- Functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a stop
- BMW AG has requested the inspection of all dealer stock of the following part number(s) listed below to…
- ?The front seat will not calibrate/initialize, and the stored faults cannot be deleted
- Headlight check control (CC) message 128 "High beam headlight failure" is displayed
- BMW AG has issued a Delivery Stop effective June 6, 2023 on certain Model Year 2023 - 2024 BMW vehicles…
- With the introduction of the BMW Remote Software Upgrade, all Service Pack 18 vehicles and partial Service…
- After programming the head unit (HU-H2), activating the FSC (German word Freischaltcode) Enabling Codes…
- Upon parking and exiting the vehicle, the parking lights remain active
- Upon opening and closing the tailgate, a creaking/groaning sound can be heard from tailgate actuator
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
- Rebuilding A Wrecked 2016 Bmw M235i From Copart [Part 1]
- It’s almost unrecognizable! This completely destroyed 2016 BMW M235i shows up at Auto Parts City
- Rebuilding My 2016 bmw m235i From Copart is Complete! + (bmw m4 service)
- Rebuilding My Wrecked 2016 Bmw M235i From Copart [Part 5]
- BMW IX (2024) 🔥🛣️Пробіг: 9 тис.км💰Ціна:59000💲☎️068-636-04-63
Other models of this make
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 2026-11-04.