2015 BMW 335i Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary
The 2015 BMW 335i has 16 reported complaints.
- Top issues involve electrical system and structure:body.
Reliability Score
Reliability Score
Based on 16 complaints
Most Frequent Issues
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
4 25%
STRUCTURE:BODY
2 12.5%
ENGINE
2 12.5%
STEERING
2 12.5%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 6.2%
Quick Insights
The top category is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, accounting for 25% of all complaints.
Owners have reported issues across 10 distinct vehicle systems.
Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.
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What owners keep reporting on the 2015 BMW 335i
The 2015 BMW 335i has 16 owner complaints in this dataset. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the most common complaint category, representing about 25% of the reports shown here.
Most common complaint categories
The top complaint groups for the 2015 BMW 335i are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (4), STRUCTURE:BODY (2), ENGINE (2).
Are these complaints a serious red flag?
Potentially. 10 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.
What should buyers inspect on a used 2015 BMW 335i?
Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.
Detailed Complaint Log
Showing 10 of 10 systems
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
4 Reports25% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
I HAVE HAD TWO DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS FAIL IN MY CAR. AT BEST, THIS PRESENTS AS A CASE WHERE THE DOOR LOCK IS PHYSICALLY SLOW TO LOCK/UNLOCK, OR AT WORST, THE PASSENGER CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR FROM INSIDE. THIS COULD PRESENT A SAFETY OR OTHER ADVERSE SITUATION WHEN THE PASSENGER NEEDS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A KNOWN FAILURE POINT IN THE AT LEAST BMW F30 3 SERIES MODELS, AS THE WEB FORUMS ARE LITTERED WITH PEOPLE EXPERIENCING SIMILAR ISSUES. BMW SHOULD RECALL THESE FAILED ACTUATORS. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE IN VEHICLES BETWEEN 3-7 YEARS OLD.
4/17/2019
THERE IS A FAILURE IN THE DOOR ACTUATORS THAT WHEN HAPPENS PREVENTS THE DOOR FROM BEING OPENED USING THE INTERNAL DOOR LEVER AND IN SOME CASES ALSO AFFECTS THE EXTERNAL HANDLE. NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR BY PULLING THE INTERNAL OR EXTERNAL LEVERS MAY CAUSE A SAFETY ISSUE IN CASE OF EMERGENCY (CRASH, FLOOD, FIRE). BMW IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE BECAUSE LOTS OF 3 SERIES CARS HAVE FAILED AND THEY HAVE BEEN REPAIRING OR REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE PARTS IN CARS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT REFUSES TO COVER THE EXPENSES OUT OF WARRANTY PERIOD. BMW NA MUST TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM DESPITE THE WARRANTY PERIOD SINCE IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE. HERE IS A VIDEO OF THE PROBLEM: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=V7_UBSGJTQQ
12/12/2020
STRUCTURE:BODY
2 Reports13% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
PASSENGERS DOOR FAILED TO OPEN. HAS A TWO PULL MECHANISM, FIRST PULL OF THE HANDLE UNLOCKS THE DOOR AND SECOND PULL OPENS THE DOOR. DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN ON SECOND PULL FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. MY WIFE WAS ESSENTIALLY STUCK IN THE CAR. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT OR OTHER. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY BMW PERMANENTLY BECAUSE MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUE AND HAVE HAD THE MECHANISM REPLACED ONLY TO HAVE IT HAPPEN AGAIN LESS THAN A YEAR LATER. ALL THIS HAPPENING ON CARS LESS THAN 4 YEARS OLD AND LESS THAN 30K MILES. I HAVE NEVER HAD A DOOR LOCK ISSUE ON ANY CAR UNTIL NOW.
11/10/2019
Driver passenger door would not open when the car is locked from inside. Typically the driver can double pull the door handle which unlocks the car. When attempting to unlock, the pin goes up but comes back down. There are several documented complaints on BMW forums with many owners experiencing this safety issue. If a driver gets into an accident or if the battery dies, the door may fail to open at critical moments. A recall is needed for this safety defect
12/30/2021
ENGINE
2 Reports13% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
CAR EXHAUST RATTLES ON START WHICH IS CAUSED BY A BROKEN/LOOSE EXHAUST FLAP
4/5/2021
I recently was advised by BMW that my valve cover had a leak as well as a rear axle. I feel that after only 8 years and less than 80,000 miles those component should NOT be failing so soon. My biggest complaint is that I recently had my power steering system completely fail on me. I was able to limp my car home and turn it off to let it sit for 15 minutes which the dealer recommended. I started the car back up and it has been working fine. The dealer inspected the vehicle and advised that I should have the entire system replaced for a little under $6,000. My largest concern is that the steering system is going to give out when my wife is driving the car or when we are hundreds of miles away from a dealer to fix it. The aggravating portion of this is that there is a recall for this issue on 2015-2017 SUV's and the 4 series (Recall 16v-704) and BMW will not cover the costs for repairs. I'm currently talking with BMW North America to see if their good will repair program will cover it but I still believe that the electric steering should not go out after only 8 years and less than 80,000 miles.
2/18/2023
STEERING
2 Reports13% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
My car randomly stiffens steering in a turn which made me nearly hit a parked car and lit up a warning light stating âDrive Moderatelyâ. The car recently also began to have symptoms of clunking and grinding when turning the wheel at low speeds. While this issue has recently arrises, my forward collision warning, blind spot detection, and lane departure warning safety features turned off completely i'm assuming as a result of the issue. The car also clunks and makes the same noise when turning the wheel side to side if the car is completely shut off as well. Iâve been referenced to SIB 01 26 18 and contacted both a BMW Service Center & BMW NA. Both tell me my car suffers from no symptoms, issues, and/or recalls; I tried to argue the fact that it clearly states that the page was more of a reference for models instead of an exact recall. One of the service technicians tried to explain to me my car was manufactured in June instead of May which is the âcut-offâ date. I feel unsafe in the car, BMW refuses to recall the EPS Steering Electronic Motor and its assembly. They instead call it more of an issue.
11/4/2022
I recently was advised by BMW that my valve cover had a leak as well as a rear axle. I feel that after only 8 years and less than 80,000 miles those component should NOT be failing so soon. My biggest complaint is that I recently had my power steering system completely fail on me. I was able to limp my car home and turn it off to let it sit for 15 minutes which the dealer recommended. I started the car back up and it has been working fine. The dealer inspected the vehicle and advised that I should have the entire system replaced for a little under $6,000. My largest concern is that the steering system is going to give out when my wife is driving the car or when we are hundreds of miles away from a dealer to fix it. The aggravating portion of this is that there is a recall for this issue on 2015-2017 SUV's and the 4 series (Recall 16v-704) and BMW will not cover the costs for repairs. I'm currently talking with BMW North America to see if their good will repair program will cover it but I still believe that the electric steering should not go out after only 8 years and less than 80,000 miles.
2/18/2023
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 Report6% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW 335I. AFTER FILLING THE VEHICLE WITH FUEL, THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE FUEL TANK AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER (GARLYN SHELTON BMW, 5700 SW H K DODGEN LOOP, TEMPLE, TX 76504) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.
9/21/2018
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 Report6% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
THERE IS A FAILURE IN THE DOOR ACTUATORS THAT WHEN HAPPENS PREVENTS THE DOOR FROM BEING OPENED USING THE INTERNAL DOOR LEVER AND IN SOME CASES ALSO AFFECTS THE EXTERNAL HANDLE. NOT BEING ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR BY PULLING THE INTERNAL OR EXTERNAL LEVERS MAY CAUSE A SAFETY ISSUE IN CASE OF EMERGENCY (CRASH, FLOOD, FIRE). BMW IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE BECAUSE LOTS OF 3 SERIES CARS HAVE FAILED AND THEY HAVE BEEN REPAIRING OR REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE PARTS IN CARS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT REFUSES TO COVER THE EXPENSES OUT OF WARRANTY PERIOD. BMW NA MUST TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM DESPITE THE WARRANTY PERIOD SINCE IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE. HERE IS A VIDEO OF THE PROBLEM: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=V7_UBSGJTQQ
12/12/2020
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
1 Report6% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
My car randomly stiffens steering in a turn which made me nearly hit a parked car and lit up a warning light stating âDrive Moderatelyâ. The car recently also began to have symptoms of clunking and grinding when turning the wheel at low speeds. While this issue has recently arrises, my forward collision warning, blind spot detection, and lane departure warning safety features turned off completely i'm assuming as a result of the issue. The car also clunks and makes the same noise when turning the wheel side to side if the car is completely shut off as well. Iâve been referenced to SIB 01 26 18 and contacted both a BMW Service Center & BMW NA. Both tell me my car suffers from no symptoms, issues, and/or recalls; I tried to argue the fact that it clearly states that the page was more of a reference for models instead of an exact recall. One of the service technicians tried to explain to me my car was manufactured in June instead of May which is the âcut-offâ date. I feel unsafe in the car, BMW refuses to recall the EPS Steering Electronic Motor and its assembly. They instead call it more of an issue.
11/4/2022
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
1 Report6% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
My car randomly stiffens steering in a turn which made me nearly hit a parked car and lit up a warning light stating âDrive Moderatelyâ. The car recently also began to have symptoms of clunking and grinding when turning the wheel at low speeds. While this issue has recently arrises, my forward collision warning, blind spot detection, and lane departure warning safety features turned off completely i'm assuming as a result of the issue. The car also clunks and makes the same noise when turning the wheel side to side if the car is completely shut off as well. Iâve been referenced to SIB 01 26 18 and contacted both a BMW Service Center & BMW NA. Both tell me my car suffers from no symptoms, issues, and/or recalls; I tried to argue the fact that it clearly states that the page was more of a reference for models instead of an exact recall. One of the service technicians tried to explain to me my car was manufactured in June instead of May which is the âcut-offâ date. I feel unsafe in the car, BMW refuses to recall the EPS Steering Electronic Motor and its assembly. They instead call it more of an issue.
11/4/2022
POWER TRAIN
1 Report6% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
I recently was advised by BMW that my valve cover had a leak as well as a rear axle. I feel that after only 8 years and less than 80,000 miles those component should NOT be failing so soon. My biggest complaint is that I recently had my power steering system completely fail on me. I was able to limp my car home and turn it off to let it sit for 15 minutes which the dealer recommended. I started the car back up and it has been working fine. The dealer inspected the vehicle and advised that I should have the entire system replaced for a little under $6,000. My largest concern is that the steering system is going to give out when my wife is driving the car or when we are hundreds of miles away from a dealer to fix it. The aggravating portion of this is that there is a recall for this issue on 2015-2017 SUV's and the 4 series (Recall 16v-704) and BMW will not cover the costs for repairs. I'm currently talking with BMW North America to see if their good will repair program will cover it but I still believe that the electric steering should not go out after only 8 years and less than 80,000 miles.
2/18/2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1 Report6% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The contact owns a 2015 BMW 335I. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The driver was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to be jumpstarted. The battery discharge warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the water pump and determined that a short in the water pump was preventing the water pump from turning off. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 88,000.
8/20/2024
Data and Methodology
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the most common owner complaints for the 2015 BMW 335i?
Are complaints about the 2015 BMW 335i a serious warning sign?
How should buyers use complaint data for the 2015 BMW 335i?
Are complaints about the 2015 BMW 335i severe?
Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.
BMW 335i: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?
Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.
- Complaint entries
- 16
- Top-topic view
- 5 grouped topics shown
- Primary source
- NHTSA ODI owner complaint records
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