Is drivetrain malfunction and loss of engine power a known issue with the 2013 Bmw 335is?

10 NHTSA complaints have been filed about drivetrain malfunction and loss of engine power on the 2013 Bmw 335is (2013-02 → 2017-06). Reported component: POWER TRAIN, ENGINE. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #10911158): "DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION HAS OCCURRED TWICE IN WHICH THE CARS OUTPUT IS MINIMIZED. WE WERE ON ONE HIGHWAY, CONNECTING WITH ANOTHER AND WENT TO ACCELERATED TO MERGE WITH TRAFFIC AND THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. TOP SPEED WAS 40MPH" Source: NHTSA.

Is door lock actuator failure trapping occupants a known issue with the 2013 Bmw 335is?

4 NHTSA complaints have been filed about door lock actuator failure trapping occupants on the 2013 Bmw 335is (2012-12 → 2019-03). Reported component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11191736): "THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS HAVE FAILED. THIS MAKES IT SO THAT THE DOORS DO NOT OPEN WHEN YOU ARE INSIDE THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTING TO GET OUT BY PULLING THE DOOR HANDLE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE NOT ALLOWING ME TO GET OUT OF MY VEHICLE" Source: NHTSA.

2013 Bmw 335is Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

Q: Is takata airbag recall replacement delays a known issue with the 2013 Bmw 335is?

3 NHTSA complaints have been filed about takata airbag recall replacement delays on the 2013 Bmw 335is (2016-04 → 2017-11). Reported component: AIR BAGS. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11043583): "TAKATA RECALL. TOOK BMW TO BMW DEALER ON MALLORY ROAD IN NASHVILLE TN ON NOV. 3 TO HAVE AIRBAG REPLACED AT 10:00, MY APPOINTMENT TIME. VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO ME ABOUT ONE HOUR LATER. BMW REFUSED TO GIVE ME ANY PAPERWORK RELATED TO THE MY VISIT" Source: NHTSA.

The 2013 Bmw 335is carries 1 open NHTSA recall — most recently covering inflator module. Owners report 3 recurring issue clusters, led by “Drivetrain malfunction and loss of engine power.” BMW vehicles use Condition-Based Service (CBS) — the dashboard shows each service item with its own remaining mileage and time, calculated by sensors. The schedule below shows BMW's underlying targets. BMW Ultimate Care covers the first 3 years / 36,000 miles of factory-scheduled maintenance on most new vehicles.

1 Open Recall

Source: NHTSA

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Campaign #20V017000 · Jan 15, 2020

Issue: 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.

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 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Recall data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2013 Bmw 335is.

1 active NHTSA investigation

Source: NHTSA

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Action #EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 200…
View on NHTSA →

Reported to NHTSA

Drivetrain malfunction and loss of engine power

POWER TRAIN, ENGINE

10 NHTSA complaints · 2013-02 → 2017-06

“DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION HAS OCCURRED TWICE IN WHICH THE CARS OUTPUT IS MINIMIZED. WE WERE ON ONE HIGHWAY, CONNECTING WITH ANOTHER AND WENT TO ACCELERATED TO MERGE WITH TRAFFIC AND THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. TOP SPEED WAS 40MPH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10911158

“THE CAR HAS DISPLAYED "DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION, DRIVE MODERATELY" TWICE NOW IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. WHEN THIS DISPLAY HAS OCCURRED, THE CAR GOES INTO "LIMP MODE" AND CAN ONLY BE DRIVEN AT LOW SPEEDS OR WITH VERY SLUGGISH ACCELERATION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10569337

“AS I WAS APPROACHING THE ON RAMP FOR THE HIGHWAY, I SPED UP IN ORDER TO MERGE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I DEPRESSED THE GAS PEDAL COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR BUT THE CAR PICKED UP EXTREMELY SLOWLY AS IF IT DID NOT HAVE ANY POWER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10546219

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Door lock actuator failure trapping occupants

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

4 NHTSA complaints · 2012-12 → 2019-03

“THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS HAVE FAILED. THIS MAKES IT SO THAT THE DOORS DO NOT OPEN WHEN YOU ARE INSIDE THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTING TO GET OUT BY PULLING THE DOOR HANDLE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE NOT ALLOWING ME TO GET OUT OF MY VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11191736

“DRIVER AND PASSENGER TRAPPED IN CAR AFTER PARKING AT AS GAS PUMP. DOORS WOULD UNLOCK BUT NOT OPEN RESULTING IN THE POTENTIAL OF KILLING ITS PASSENGERS IN A CRASH. THERE IS A VIDEO ON YOUTUBE OF A SIMILAR INCIDENT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11169906

“WHEN I TRY TO OPEN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR BY PULLING THE HANDLE IT DOES NOT UNLOCK AUTOMATICALLY. THE ONLY WAY TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IS THROUGH ANOTHER DOOR OR BY USING THE CENTRAL LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11061217

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Takata airbag recall replacement delays

AIR BAGS

3 NHTSA complaints · 2016-04 → 2017-11

“TAKATA RECALL. TOOK BMW TO BMW DEALER ON MALLORY ROAD IN NASHVILLE TN ON NOV. 3 TO HAVE AIRBAG REPLACED AT 10:00, MY APPOINTMENT TIME. VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO ME ABOUT ONE HOUR LATER. BMW REFUSED TO GIVE ME ANY PAPERWORK RELATED TO THE MY VISIT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11043583

“TAKATA RECALL: I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM BMW ON MARCH 2016 NOTIFYING ME OF THE DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG MODULE RECALL, CAMPAIGN NO. 16V-071. BMW DID NOT HAVE ANY PARTS AVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF NOTIFICATION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10899248

“TAKATA RECALL. I HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTING TO WORK WITH BMW CORPORATE AND THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP IN RIDGEFIELD CT WHERE I LEASED THE VEHICLE FOR THE PAST 3 MONTHS AND I HAVE YET TO SUCCESSFULLY RESOLVE THE SITUATION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10855404

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil Service (CBS)

Every 10,000 mi

Replace BMW Longlife-04 (LL-04) full-synthetic oil and filter every 10,000 miles or annually — whichever the CBS system signals first. M-series engines may require shorter intervals; check the vehicle-specific iDrive screen.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Brake Fluid Service (CBS)

Every 24,000 mi

Replace DOT 4 LV brake fluid every 2 years regardless of mileage. CBS triggers based on time, not miles, due to moisture absorption.

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Microfilter (Cabin Air Filter)

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the activated-carbon microfilter every 30,000 miles. Most BMWs have a single combined cabin/charcoal filter behind the engine bay firewall.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Engine Coolant (G48 / HT-12)

On condition / lifetime

BMW labels coolant as lifetime fill on most modern vehicles. Independent BMW specialists recommend replacement every 4-5 years to prevent water-pump and thermostat housing degradation.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

55 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

complaints mentioning a crash

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2013 Bmw 335is reflects BMW's published service intervals and the Condition-Based Service system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

Check another vehicle →