Skip to main content

2011 BMW 135i

6 recalls Most severe issue: Critical

All recalls are free to repair at your local dealership. Contact your dealer to schedule service.

Known Safety Recalls

Critical #17V067000 Plain English
Component

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
Your vehicle's rear driveshaft may have a faulty constant velocity (CV) joint that can break, which is a part that connects the transmission to the wheels.
Risk if Unfixed
If the CV joint breaks, your vehicle might lose power and this could increase the risk of an accident.
Free Fix
BMW will notify you and replace the CV joint for free. The dealership will inspect the joint and replace it if it needs to be done, and this service is completely free of charge.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 1 Series M Coupe and 135i Convertible vehicles, 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i, 335i, 335d, 335i Coupe, 335is Coupe, 335i Convertible, 335is Convertible, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535i Gran Turismo and 550i xDrive Gran Turismo vehicles and 2012 740i and 740Li vehicles. The rear driveshaft constant velocity (CV) joint on the affected vehicles may fatigue and break.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
If the CV joint breaks, the vehicle may have a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
Original — Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear driveshaft CV joint and, based on its production date, will replace it, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Critical #14V176000 Plain English
Component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit in your engine helps your car run smoothly by adjusting the timing of the engine's valves. Over time, the bolts that hold this unit in place can loosen or break, which could cause problems with your engine's power and performance.
Risk if Unfixed
If the bolts break, your engine might lose power or stall while you're driving, which could increase the risk of a crash.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the VANOS housing bolts for both the intake and exhaust units, at no cost to you. They'll do this work as soon as you get the recall notice.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i Convertible, 528i Sedan, 535i Sedan, 535i xDrive Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, and X3 xDrive 35i, 2010 X3 xDrive 30i, and X5 xDrive 30i, 2012 640i Coupe, and 640i Convertible and 2010-2012 535i Gran Turismo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Original — Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. The recall began on September 24, 2014. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #20V017000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The airbag in your car is designed to inflate in a crash to protect you. In some older BMW models, the airbag inflator – the part that makes the airbag deploy – could fail and explode if it's exposed to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes for a long time.
Risk if Unfixed
If the airbag inflator explodes, it could send sharp metal fragments flying towards you, the driver, or other passengers. This could result in serious injury or even death.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty airbag inflator with a new one, free of charge. This repair is urgent – schedule it as soon as you get the recall notice.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Original — Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #16V071000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The air bag control unit in your vehicle is a critical safety system that deploys the air bag in a crash. In certain models, this unit could fail and rupture, sending sharp metal fragments towards you or your passengers.
Risk if Unfixed
If this happens in a crash, you could be seriously hurt or even killed by the sharp metal fragments. The air bag is designed to protect you, but if it fails, it puts you at risk.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty air bag control unit with a new one, free of charge. This repair is urgent, and you should schedule it as soon as possible to ensure your safety on the road.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Original — Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Moderate #19V579000 Plain English
Component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The blower-regulator wiring harness in your BMW is like a network of electrical pathways that control your car's heating and cooling system. In certain 2008-2012 models, these wires and connectors can get too hot and melt.
Risk if Unfixed
If the wiring overheats, it could cause a fire in your car, even when you're not driving. This could happen even if the car is parked and unattended.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will inspect the wiring harness and replace it with a new, safer one at no cost to you. You should schedule this repair as soon as you get the recall notice.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2012 BMW 128i, 135i, 135is Coupes and 128i, 135i Convertible vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors in the blower-regulator wiring harness may overheat.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
Original — Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the blower-regulator wiring harness, and replace it with a new part, free of charge. The recall began October 4, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion of an earlier recall number 17V-676.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Moderate #13V044000 Plain English
Component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The positive battery cable connector in your vehicle is a crucial link between the battery and the fuse box. Over time, it can degrade and break, causing a loss of power to your vehicle.
Risk if Unfixed
If the connection breaks, your vehicle could suddenly stall, making it hard to control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty connector with a new, secure one, and you won't have to pay a thing. Schedule the repair as soon as you get the recall notice and make sure your vehicle is safe on the road.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Original — Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →

Browse by Component

AIR BAGS
2 recalls
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2 recalls
POWER TRAIN
1 recall
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1 recall

Other BMW 135i Years

2013
2 recalls
2012
6 recalls
2010
4 recalls
2009
4 recalls
2008
4 recalls

Related Pages

2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Recalls 2011 Audi A4 Recalls 2010 BMW 135i Recalls 2012 BMW 135i Recalls All BMW Recalls BMW 135i Recall History