2013 BMW 335xi recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, and ActiveHybrid3 vehicles manufactured October 20, 2011, to June 22, 2015, 2014-2015 328xi Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured March 21, 2013, to March 17, 2015, 2014-2015 328d, 328xd vehicles manufactured June 28, 2013, to April 21, 2015, and 2014-2015 328xd Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured July 5, 2013,…
What could happen: If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or by email at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2013 335XI.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 15V520000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-525-7417.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Summary: BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, and ActiveHybrid3 vehicles manufactured October 20, 2011, to June 22, 2015, 2014-2015 328xi Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured March 21, 2013, to March 17, 2015, 2014-2015 328d, 328xd vehicles manufactured June 28, 2013, to April 21, 2015, and 2014-2015 328xd Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured July 5, 2013, to April 21, 2015. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the front side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or by email at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Vehicle Speed Control (2), Airbags (2), Wheels / tires (2), Fuel system (1), Unknown Or Other (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
05/04/2018 · Vehicle Speed Control · crash
IN A LEFT-HAND TURNING LANE OF A CITY STREET, INTENDING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ON A GREEN LIGHT AT A CONTROLLED INTERSECTION, MY CAR WAS STATIONARY AT IDLE & IN NEUTRAL AT A COMPLETE STOP UNTIL ON-COMING TRAFFIC CLEARED INTERSECTION. FROM A DEAD STOP IN 1ST GEAR (STICK SHIFT), I STARTED A LEFT TURN - SUDDENLY, UNEXPECTEDLY & UNINTENTIONALLY THE VEHICLE RAPIDLY…
02/01/2018 · Unknown Or Other
DOOR SOMETIMES DOES NOT UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE. NORMALLY A DOUBLE PULL ON THE INTERIOR HANDLE WILL UNLOCK AND OPEN THE DOOR. BUT SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT UNLOCK (THE HANDLE FEELS STUCK AND CAN'T BE FULLY PULLED) AND REQUIRES PRESSING THE ELECTRONIC CENTRAL LOCKING SWITCH. NOT SAFE IF THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. I HAVE A VIDEO BUT CANT UPLOAD IT.
04/26/2017 · Airbags · crash
I WAS REAR ENDED FROM A DEAD STOP BY A VEHICHLE AROUND 50 MPH AND MY AIRBAGS MALFUNCTIONED. I HAD SMOKE COMING FROM THE DASH BUT NO ACTUAL AIR BAG PROTECTED ME BY COMING OUT. THE SEAT BELTS ARE LOCKED UP AND NO LONGER WORK. THE CAR THEN FORCED ME TO LEAVE IT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE IT DOES NOT ALLOW YOU TO PUSH IT OR PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL IN ANY FA…
02/02/2017 · Airbags
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 335XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A…
09/13/2015 · Brakes
EVERY SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR, NEW OFF THE LOT, THE BRAKES HAVE SQUEALED WHILE COMING TO A STOP OR SLOWING DOWN TO STOP. THE NOISE IS SUCH A HIGH PITCH THAT OTHER CARS LOOK AT ME LIKE NAILS ON A CHALK BOARD. I HAVE BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION TO BMW SERVICE CENTER AT LEAST 6X WHILE THE CAR IS BEING SERVICED AND CONTACTED BMW USA, ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT IT IS N…
05/05/2014 · Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 335XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVE SLOW WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE CONTACT HAD STRUCK SOMETHING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…
11/20/2013 · Vehicle Speed Control
LOSS OF POWER, THE CAR WILL NOT REV PAST 3,000 RMP AND NO FAULT CODES SHOW ON DASH. *TR
07/23/2013 · Wheels / tires
NEW CAR (2MONTHS), BMW335XI (EXCELLENT), DELIVERED BY BMW FRANCE WITH 4 RUNFLAT 18' 225/45 GOODYEAR (IN FRANCE THE CLIENT CANNOT CHOOSE THE TRADE MARK OF THE TYRES DURING ORDERING). AFTER ONLY 4500 KMS, BUBBLES ON THE EXTERNAL WALL OF THE TYRES (ANTERIOR AND POSTERIOR RIGHT). ONE WEEK LATER (STRICT SPEED LIMITATION TO 80 KM/H), BUBBLE AND EXTERNAL INJURY…