Is the 2011 Bmw 135I reliable?

The 2011 Bmw 135I has 35 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2011 Bmw 135I?

Top problems: ENGINE (11 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (7 complaints, avg repair $500); AIR BAGS (6 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2011 Bmw 135I?

Yes, there are 6 recall(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Contact any Bmw dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Bmw 135I?

The 2011 Bmw 135I gets 22 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2182. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2011 Bmw 135I?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2011 Bmw 135I is approximately $1,821/year (sedan-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2011 Bmw 135I

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Bmw 135I has 35 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 35. The most common issue is engine problems (31% of all complaints), specifically: engine acceleration lag. the car hesitates when the gas pedal is pushed down. this occurs when it is moving at a slow speed of 5 to 10 mph and at a halt. it creates a dangerous situation if you are merging with traffic or trying to enter traffic from a side street. when the gas pedal is depressed it. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 1 crash report 1 injury

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

11 complaints

31%

• ENGINE ACCELERATION LAG. THE CAR HESITATES WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS PUSHED DOWN. THIS OCCURS WHEN IT IS MOVING AT A SLOW SPEED OF 5 TO 10 MPH AND AT A HALT. IT CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION IF YOU ARE MERGING WITH TRAFFIC OR TRYING TO ENTER TRAFFIC FROM A SIDE STREET. WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED IT
• CROSSING THE STREET---I HAD THE GAS PEDDLE ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR (TWICE YESTERDAY) AND THE CAR LITERALLY DID NOT MOVE AND TRAFFIC WAS APPROACHING. THE CAR EVENTUALLY MOVED FORWARD. PROBLEM---HESITATION IN THE ENGINE WHEN APPLYING THE GAS AS I PULL OUT TO CROSS THE INTERSECTION, SLOW DOWN TO MAKE
• THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I WAS HIT IN THE REAR. STARTING TO BELIEVE THIS IS WHAT CAUSE THE ACCIDENT AND STILL THE DEALERSHIP CAN'T FIX IT AND LIES ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND I'M REALLY CLOSE TO THE LEMON LAW I THINK. BMW N AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE WON'T LET ME PASS AN

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“ENGINE ACCELERATION LAG. THE CAR HESITATES WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS PUSHED DOWN. THIS OCCURS WHEN IT IS MOVING AT A SLOW SPEED OF 5 TO 10 MPH AND AT A HALT. IT CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION IF YOU ARE MERGING WITH TRAFFIC OR TRYING TO ENTER TRAFFIC FROM A SIDE STREET. WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED IT”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Bmw 135I

Based on 21 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 56K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 30K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

High-mileage issuemedian 75K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (6)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING06/08/2019

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.

Risk: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Bmw 135I

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,182

Per month

$182

Per mile

18.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,667/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,715/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Bmw 135I

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,821

Full coverage / month

$152

Liability only / year

$710

vs US avg

+9%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1821

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Bmw 135I Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

10K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

Condition-Based Service (CBS) tells you exactly when service is due. Transmission fluid was labeled 'lifetime' but many owners service at 60K-100K.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Bmw New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

4 yr / 50K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

12 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / unlimited mi

Corrosion is unlimited miles for 12 years

These are the terms for a new Bmw. If you're buying a used 2011 135I, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Bmw dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 35 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: ENGINE ACCELERATION LAG. THE CAR HESITATES WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS PUSHED DOWN. THIS OCCURS WHEN IT IS MOVING AT A SLOW SPEED OF 5 TO 10 MPH AND AT A HALT. IT CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION IF YOU ARE MERGING WITH TRAFFIC OR TRYING TO ENTER TRAFFIC FROM A SIDE STREET. WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED IT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: SOMETIMES THE BLOWER MOTOR WILL NOT WORK AT THE SPEED SELECTED. A FEW TIMES HAVE SMELLED A ODD BURNT PLASTIC SMELL. BMW WON'T HELP THIS ISSUE AS THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS CERTAIN MODEL. I HAVE TOOK THE TIME TO ACTUALLY DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. WIRING TO BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR MODULE AFFECTED. CANNOT EVEN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT INDICATED THAT PASSENGER AIR BAG WAS OFF WHEN PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED BY ANOTHER ADULT. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: WHEN MOVING SLOWLY AND THEN RAPIDLY ACCELERATING, SUCH AS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN ONTO A BUSY ROAD, THE CAR SEEMS TO SHUT OFF THE FUEL FOR A SOLID 2 SECONDS, SO THE CAR ACTUALLY SLOWS RATHER THAN SPEEDS UP. THE DRIVER, WHEN TRYING TO TURN IN TRAFFIC, WILL PANIC AND PRESS HARDER ON THE GAS AND NOTHIN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Bmw dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)