Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: running costs are the problem rather than the car itself.
Owners have filed 65 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 BMW 335i, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 9 | 14% |
| Electrical system | 8 | 12% |
| Engine | 4 | 6% |
| Power train | 4 | 6% |
| Power train | 3 | 5% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
My vehicle has a defect with electric water pump, shorted by its factory connector due to unprotected electrical plug on water pump. BMW issued a recall to cover the defect but refusing to pay for repairs performed. Rec
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The car died without warning on highway. Lost control because of no power. Car was towed. no codes found. Car died again on highway, lost control no power to brakes and steering. Car was hit trying to got off into breakd
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The water pump runs all of the time and drains the battery completely overnight. The water pump runs even after the car is shut off. It seems like the water pump is shorted. The water pump connector appears to have th
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 335i. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the following day, while attempting to start the vehicl
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
I haven’t even had my bmw 335i 2013 with 84000 miles on it yet for more than 8 months but somehow for some reason my electronic power steering rack has gone out twice in the span of 5 months.this is a issue. Everytime I’
NHTSA complaint: Steering
There is TSB by BMW where they know there is an issue with there Fan.. according to them the fan is a 650w fan which causes a condition where the transmission gets a code. The car all of a sudden gets a dramatic power lo
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
All BMWs have a defect with passenger seat occupancy mat; airbag will not deploy in accident for passenger because passenger seat restraint system is defective in passenger seat (they call it passenger occupancy mat)- it
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
Out of nowhere, on 6/24, the warning light came on saying that there is an issue with the passenger restraint system. It stays on when there is no one in the seat and then, even if someone is in the seat, it will turn of
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2013 BMW 335i. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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,
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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
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 vehicl
Risk: If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
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
| Reliability raw | 82 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 74 | good |
| Maintenance | 47 | below average |
| Depreciation | 64 | average |
| Performance | 67 | good |
| Efficiency | 44 | below average |
| Safety | 100 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 65 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 9 of them (14%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 82/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 74/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2013 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip unless cheap, because running costs are the problem rather than the car itself. Its overall ownership score is 69/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.