3.6

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
35,478 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 BMW 135 engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2012 BMW 135:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2012 BMW 135 Owner Comments

problem #9

Aug 242018

135

  • 55,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle stalls when accelerating from a stopped position. Several time, while stopped at an intersection with crossing traffic, I attempted to drive through the intersection but the car failed to accelerate. I tried shifting from auto to manual but the car still failed to accelerate for at least 5 seconds at which time it jolted forward. The issue started at around the 50K mile mark 3 years ago and continues still today (~90K miles). I am not seeing my vehicle listed under recalls related to loss of electrical power/stalling from 2/7/2013 and have not had any recall notifications related to my car since 2017. I have been attempting to resolve a constant problem with cracking sounds from front suspension when turning. To date, I have had the entire front suspension rebuilt including; control arm assy, sway bar assy, bearing, struts, and U-joints. I am still experiencing this problem, especially during colder weather days. Now I am learning that there is a recall from 8/1/2020 related to my car model but my VIN is not included. NHTSA id number: 10179812 manufacturer communication number: B310112. Summary cracking noises from the frontaxle area while turning the wheels, when station: Cracking noises are heard from the front axle area while maneuvering at low speeds (e.g., parking lot maneuvers) or when turning the steering wheel while stationary.

- Creedmoor, NC, USA

problem #8

Aug 142019

135

  • 50,000 miles
When I had fewer than 50K miles, my thermostat broke suddenly while I was driving. I had no previous issues or warning lights. Since that repair, I have had 2 coolant leaks, and one related pipe crack. This week, I had air in my coolant system and had to have it drained. These all appear to be related.

- Decatur, GA, USA

problem #7

Jun 072019

135

  • 56,000 miles
Vehicle almost stalls when accelerating from a stop. Vehicle will also surge forward when vehicle comes to a stop. Both issues are worsened when the temperature is warm outside and the air conditioning is on. Have taken vehicle to the BMW dealer several times to correct, but they never find anything wrong.

- Meridian, ID, USA

problem #6

Aug 112018

135

  • 50,700 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The car's primary issues are a broken water pump & an ongoing electrical issue related to the footwell module (frm), which BMW twice acknowledged via limited warranty extension reimbursement letter. The cooling system gave out in August, '18 on ca-99 outside of bakersfield. It was 105 degrees. One second I'm going 75 mph and the next I'm desperately trying to safely maneuver to the side of road. After three years of several other major issues with the car, I was prompted to contact BMW in early Oct, 2018, to hold them accountable. My first attempt to have BMW correct the issues was denied w/in two weeks, so at the request of an exec customer relations rep, I had the car diagnosed in Nov, 18, (even though I had previously had the car diagnosed by a reputable third-party who found the water pump and frm issues within one hour in Aug, 2018).when I collected the car two business days later, it was in worse condition as its fan was running hard and loud. I immediately complained to the sa & explained to him that the car did not have that issue before I dropped it off. Since only a diagnostic was ordered, the car should have been in the exact same condition but he casually attributed the new issue to the water pump & claimed it was coincidence that it happened while under their care. When I submitted the diagnostic to the exec care rep, I informed him of my bad experience but he didn't seem concerned and just let me know that BMW would reevaluate the case. On 12/27/18, over a month after submitting the diagnostic, I was told that BMW again denied my claim. Btw, the diagnostic from BMW found the broken water pump but they claim that they could not determine the cause of the electrical issue (even though they had my car for two days, had knowledge of the frm issue as evidenced by their letters, & had a third-party diagnostic to compare).

- Kerman, CA, USA

problem #5

Jul 112018

135

  • 40,000 miles
Vehicle exhibits an intermittent hesitation (like a stall) where there is an apparent total loss of power at low speeds (coasting) or from stopped. On several instances this has happened while in a left turn lane with oncoming traffic and creates a serious safety hazard. The vehicle more frequently, but not always surges in rmp without throttle input when coming to a stop. In many instances, the vehicle lurches forward and extra braking is required. This has resulted in near miss, rear end, assured clear distance issues. These two problems occur during city/residential driving including at slow speeds through school zones (a major concern). I purchased this car used, but with low mileage and encountered these issues on the day of delivery. Dealer reprogrammed an engine control module according to a BMW safety bulletin which I found online. The drive home was noticeably improved, however the conditions returned shortly there after and persist to this day.

- Massillon, OH, USA

problem #4

Sep 012013

135 6-cyl

  • 33,000 miles
I have brought my car into schomp BMW twice for this issue, the latest being last week telling them I believe there is a recall for my vehicle and it feels as if it will stall as I am turning a corner or stopped and begin accelerating. They showed no recall and hooked my car up to computer and no codes came back with any issues. I am really scared that my car will stall in the middle of turning in front of traffic. It has hesitated to where I have had to press the accelerator to the floor to get the car to move. I am afraid for my safety and for the safety of others. I received the official recall notice in the mail Wednesday and called schomp and told them I want it repaired immediately if that is the issue. They told me they don't have parts and that I will receive another notice and that I have to wait. I am nervous that something will happen and someone will be injured. What can I do for now?

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #3

May 012013

135

  • 6,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle equipped with 7 speed dct transmission. When car had almost come to a stop there was sudden burst of engine speed (to about 2500 RPM) causing car to shoot forward. Accident avoided by jamming on the brake. This then happened several more times. Dealer re-programmed ECM and problem has not gone away. Occurs intermittently. Most recent episode in my own garage where barely avoided driving into front wall when it surged. Dealer again re-set software. Clear from dealers reaction that this is not isolated incident and clear that they don't have a real solution. This is basically a variant of unintended acceleration and an accident waiting to happen.

- Bonita Springs, FL, USA

problem #2

Jun 302013

135

  • 28,000 miles
When driving in traffic the BMW 135I dct transmission will stall when coming to a stop. This results in a loss of power steering. Sometimes before the car stalls, the engine will rev without driver input to 2500 RPM and drop the clutch which results in a rapid acceleration if your foot is not on the brake this can be extremely dangerous. I have almost crashed the car many times as a result of this. BMW issued a technical service bulletin to dealers that can be found if you google the issue, but there is no known remedy. The car has been in and out of the dealer close to 10 times and they claim there is no issue. I believe the issue to be with software of the engine and transmission.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #1

Mar 242012

135 6-cyl

  • 600 miles
From the time of ownership (March 16, 2012) to now, the vehicle shuts off during operation while in idle RPM speed. The vehicle is equipped with a six-speed manual transmission. Whether the clutch is fully pressed in and in-gear, or the vehicle is out-of-gear, there is a possibility for the idle rpms dropping and the engine shutting off. This mostly occurs while stopping for a red light, stopping for a stop sign, or in stop-and-go traffic on the highway. For example, the vehicle is approaching a stop sign at 25mph. The clutch is fully pressed in, the brakes are applied, and the gear shifter is changed from 3rd gear to 1st gear. While approaching a complete stop with the clutch still fully pressed in, the engine rpms will drop from normal idle speed (600-800rpm) to zero. Therefore the engine has shut off going 3-5mph, leaving the driver with no power steering and no power brakes. Sometimes this stall is violent; the vehicle shakes while rpms drop. Other times, the vehicle would stall without the driver even noticing. Also, this vehicle stalled twice while taking a turn at 15-20mph and the driver had to avoid an accident on both occasions because of this stalling issue. This critical safety problem occurred at a magnitude of once a month from March 2012 until July 2013. From July 2013 to September 2013, this stalling issue occurred three times a week. Then from September 2013 to now, the problem went back to once every month. This vehicle has been to the BMW dealership many times but because the problem is intermittent, the dealership could not replicate the issue; therefore applying no repair or solution to this critical problem. BMW North America was contacted after the shop foreman explained that the vehicle cannot be fixed. BMW North America did not help in any way, therefore lawyer-involvement is in effect to attempt in lemoning this dangerous vehicle.

- Orlando, FL, USA

Not what you are looking for?