2013 BMW 135i reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2013 BMW 135i holds 12 complaints after 14 years, a rate of 0 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most 135i years here — under the median of the other years, which is 1. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Inflator.

2012 BMW 135i — Photo by Calreyn88, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0

Complaints

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Air bags (7 of 12), then Engine (2) and Powertrain (2). Those filings include 1 that reports a fire.

Next to 2012 and 2014

The 2012 135i has 19 complaints, 2 per year, and the 2014 has 0 complaints, 0 per year. The 2013 has fewer complaints per year than the 2012. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2014.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2013 BMW 135i. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (2)

Recall air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator 2020-01-15 · NHTSA campaign 20V017000

Summary 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.

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.

Recall air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator 2016-02-05 · NHTSA campaign 16V071000

Summary 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.

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.

Complaints by component (12 total)

Air bags

Engine

Powertrain

Speed control

Steering

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"The contact owns a 2013 BMW 135i. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be…"
Powertrain, Engine · filed 2021-07-12
"DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, AND AFTER GOING ABOUT 4-5 MILES, THE BELOW WARNING MESSAGES CAME ON."
Steering, Speed control, Unknown or other · filed 2018-08-20
"VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY, BURST INTO FLAMES, TOTAL LOSS"
Unknown or other · filed 2018-08-06
"THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE, BUT I HAD ANOTHER CLOSE CALL TODAY SO I AM LOGGING A FORMAL COMPLAINT. THE VEHICLE HESITATES TO ACCELERATE AFTER PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. IT OFTEN TAKES 2 TO 3 SECONDS FOR THE VEHICLE TO…"
Speed control · filed 2018-07-31
"TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED A LETTER SEPT 2017 FROM BMW STATING THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE FOR REPLACEMENT. I CALL CENTER BMW FOR SERVICE BUT WAS NOTIFIED THE PARTS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR SOME TIME. I RECEIVED MY FIRST…"
Air bags · filed 2017-09-27

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2013 BMW 135 I 2 DR RWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated
2013 BMW 135 I C RWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
135i	3L, 6-cyl	Automatic (AM-S7)	Rear-wheel drive	18	25	20 MPG	$4000
135i	3L, 6-cyl	Manual 6-speed	Rear-wheel drive	20	28	23 MPG	$3450
135i convertible	3L, 6-cyl	Automatic (AM-S7)	Rear-wheel drive	18	25	20 MPG	$4000
135i convertible	3L, 6-cyl	Manual 6-speed	Rear-wheel drive	19	27	22 MPG	$3650

Specs and fitment

E82/E88 generation, 2012–2013

Body styles Coupe, Convertible

Oil 0W-30 , 6.9 qt capacity

Tire size 205/50R17, 225/45R17, 215/40R18, 245/35R18

Known issues for this generation

Recall 19V579000 covers certain 2008-2012 135i and 135is Coupe and 128i/135i Convertible vehicles where blower-regulator wiring may overheat and increase fire risk; dealers replace the harness. Recall 20V017000 covers certain 2008-2013 135i Convertible, Coupe, and M Coupe models (with many other BMW models) for a Takata driver frontal inflator that can explode; dealers replace the driver air bag. Recall 17V067000 covers certain 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 1 Series M Coupe, and 135i Convertible vehicles for a constant-velocity joint concern on that campaign list.

Compare

Previous year 2012 BMW 135i See every BMW 135i model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 BMW 135i reliable?

What are common problems with a 2013 BMW 135i?

The complaints owners file most often name Air bags (7 of 12), then Engine (2) and Powertrain (2). Those filings include 1 that reports a fire.

Is the 2013 BMW 135i more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2012 135i has 19 complaints, 2 per year, and the 2014 has 0 complaints, 0 per year. The 2013 has fewer complaints per year than the 2012. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2014.

Has the 2013 BMW 135i been recalled?

The 2013 BMW 135i has 2 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2013 BMW 135i?

Owners have filed 12 complaints about the 2013 BMW 135i with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2013 BMW 135i get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2013 BMW 135i is 21.3 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What engine oil does a US BMW 135i use?

0W-30 With filter, about 6.9 qt is commonly listed for this generation—confirm in the owner manual.

What tire sizes fit a US BMW 135i?

Published US specs commonly list front 205/50R17, 225/45R17, 215/40R18, 245/35R18 and rear 205/50R17, 225/45R17, 215/40R18, 245/35R18; confirm on the door jamb placard for your trim.

What NHTSA recalls affect the US BMW 135i?