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NHTSA complaints · TSBs · investigations

BMW M235I problems & complaints

What BMW M235I owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See BMW M235I safety recalls or check your VIN.

Owner complaints
19
Service bulletins (TSBs)
319+
Crashes / fires reported
0 / 0
Defect investigations
0

Complaints by model year

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA, by the model year of the vehicle. A high count can also mean a popular year, so compare it with how many were sold.

  • 20221
  • 20168
  • 20155
  • 20145
YearComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuredDeathsTSBs
20230000010
20221000038
20210000090
20200000091
20170000011
201680000289
201550000319
201450000292

Most reported problems

The vehicle systems named most often in BMW M235I complaints (one complaint can name several).

  • Electrical System4
  • Exterior Lighting3
  • Power Train3
  • Air Bags2
  • Engine2
  • Seat Belts2
  • Unknown Or Other2
  • Fuel System, Gasoline1

Latest owner complaints

In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.

  • 2015 M235iJan 10, 2025Exterior Lighting, Electrical SystemNHTSA #11635190
    The headlight and tail light went out unexpectedly. I brought my vehicle to a shop and they told me that my headlight got water inside of it. The shop informed me that this is a known issue with multiple BMW models. The headlight seal will slowly fail allowing moisture inside the housing which damages the electronics. The taillights have to have their electronics replaced due to some defect form the factory. This defect was covered under warranty but my car is out of warranty.
  • 2015 M235iJun 13, 2024Seat BeltsNHTSA #11594245
    The seat belt failed due to a short. I am not sure if my safety was really at risk but the car said it was. There was warning on startup on the large display in the middle of the car and a constant warning in the gauge cluster. The fault has been confirmed at the dealership. The seat belt was inspected at the dealership and they are suggesting a replacement for $662.74. The warning did not cause any drivability issues.
  • 2022 M235iDec 17, 2022Electrical SystemNHTSA #11497889
    According to the dealer, a transmission sensor underneath the gear shifter got wet due to a liquid spill from the cupholders. While driving on the highway returning from scheduled dealer maintenance on the car, the informations screen showed a warning that there was a drive train malfunction and that the car would not be drivable after the current drive ended. The cupholders were not in use at this time so the spill must have occurred earlier, the fault apparently did not occur at the same time as the spill. I was able to drive to a safe place where I turned off the car. When I turned on the car, it would not shift into drive mode. If the car had shut down for any reason I could have been st…
  • 2015 M235iFeb 28, 2022TiresNHTSA #11454453
    I purchased 4 new Pirelli P zero tires a year and half ago since then I’ve replaced 5 tires where the sidewalls have blown out in that year and half time frame. I’ve only kept two of the tires and I’m not sure if the other tire has a different DOT # but it is the same brand and size. I gave the dot from the most recent tire. Pirelli has a road hazard warranty but will not honor it and swears their is no recall on p zero tires but it states on their website that size r19 have a recall. Mine are size 225/40 R18 Pirelli P-zeros. The last picture is of another tire about to blow out its sidewalk.
  • 2016 M235iJan 19, 2022Power TrainNHTSA #11448099
    Our M235I has a transmission leak "thru the wall of the case" (i.e. THROUGH THE METAL CASE) as determined by a local BMW Dealer. They are not able to provide any Technical Service Bulletins or etc. from BMW for this "leaky case" issue. But they are saying this is a KNOWN problem with the transmission cases. They are advising a new transmission for $10K. Only alternative is to install used transmission and take old electronic valve module out of existing trans and place into used transmission and hope for the best. Loss of transmission fluid could cause unit to malfunction or fail!!!
  • 2016 M235iOct 28, 2021Service Brakes, Electrical SystemNHTSA #11438512
    BMW 2 series cars from about 2015-2018 have faulty wiring and brake light assemblies. BMW has admitted this design flaw in the harness and light - they extended the warranty for one year. As you know, brake light failures represent a real risk. It is unreasonable for BMW to charge $900 per light to fix a safety issue caused by a design flaw that they have admitted. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PASSENGER TAIL LIGHT HAS FAILED, ALSO.
  • 2016 M235iAug 17, 2021Electrical System, Exterior LightingNHTSA #11429433
    Rear brake light failure due to faulty wiring. Identical to the details located in this article (https://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/01/bmw-recalling-241-000-3-series-models-over-faulty-tail-lights/) for which the NHTSA had issued a recall for older BMW models in the past. This issue is common and wide-spread amongst bmw models produced between 2014 - mid 2016. After which BMW modified the wiring harness for the brake lights to fix the electrical shorting failures. This failure renders the entire housing inoperable - Brake light, turn signal and reverse lamp. Summary: OVER TIME, RESISTANCE IN THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS MAY CAUSE ONE OR MORE REAR LAMP FUNCTIONS (TAIL LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND/OR TU…
  • 2016 M235iMar 25, 2021Seat BeltsNHTSA #11404835
    DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT IS SLOW TO RETRACT AND KEEPS GETTING TWISTED WHEN RETRACTING. YOU HAVE TO CAREFULLY HELP FEED THE BELT INTO THE B PILLAR FOR IT NOT TO DO THAT. IF NOT, IT WILL ALMOST GET JAMMED IN THE B PILLAR AND GET STUCK AND BECOMES NON-FUNCTIONAL. IT TAKES A LOT OF STRENGTH AND EFFORT TO PULL TO PULL IT BACK OUT. VERY UNSAFE BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO BE ALWAYS AWARE OF THIS DEFECT WHILE DRIVING. SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO UNFASTEN OUR BELTS WHILE DRIVING TO REACH OR ADJUST SOMETHING. AND IT USUALLY GETS JAMMED AND STUCK IN THE B PILLAR AND BECOMES NON-FUNCTIONAL. OWNED AND DRIVEN SEVERAL CARS. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE WITH ANY OTHER CAR. NEVER WITH THIS REGULARITY.

Technical service bulletins (TSBs)

Repair instructions and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about known issues. A TSB is not a recall, and the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty; ask your dealer for the bulletin number.

  • B010225
    May 19, 2025Warranty Program/ExtensionEngine

    The engines turbocharger wastegate valve controller limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service date.

  • B611305
    Jan 11, 2024Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsElectrical System

    The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle “discharged battery” complaints.

  • B360121
    Jan 8, 2024Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsSteering

    At low outside temperatures (below 40 degrees F) and slow driving speeds (i.e. when parking, maneuvering)with a large steering angle, the front end can be slightly axially misaligned. This can be felt (jerking)/ heard via an acoustic acknowledgement (clunk) as seen at the 11 second mark of the video. See attached video V36 01 21.

  • B340714
    Oct 13, 2023Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsService Brakes, Hydraulic

    Functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a stop. CAUSE Material-

  • MCAS4023
    Sep 29, 2023Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsPower Train

    BMW AG has requested the inspection of all dealer stock of the following part number(s) listed below to ensure the spacer is conformed to drawing.

  • B520121
    Aug 1, 2023Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsSeats

    ?The front seat will not calibrate/initialize, and the stored faults cannot be deleted.

  • B630821
    Jun 1, 2023Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsExterior Lighting, Electrical System

    Headlight check control (CC) message 128 "High beam headlight failure" is displayed. The following fault codes are stored during a vehicle test: 80419A - Left high-beam headlight: Short circuit and/or 8041A5 - light outputs: Number of permitted short circuit cycles exceeded

  • B120323
    Jun 1, 2023Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsEquipment

    BMW AG has issued a Delivery Stop effective June 6, 2023 on certain Model Year 2023 - 2024 BMW vehicles that were produced between October 26, 2022 and May 8, 2023.

  • B090221
    Jun 1, 2023Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsElectrical System

    With the introduction of the BMW Remote Software Upgrade, all Service Pack 18 vehicles and partial Service Pack 15 vehicles may receive new functionality or modifications in their features.

  • B651523
    May 1, 2023Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsElectrical System

    After programming the head unit (HU-H2), activating the FSC (German word Freischaltcode) Enabling Codes repeatedly fails.

  • B630723
    May 1, 2023Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsExterior Lighting

    Upon parking and exiting the vehicle, the parking lights remain active.

  • B514616
    May 1, 2023Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsStructure

    Upon opening and closing the tailgate, a creaking/groaning sound can be heard from tailgate actuator.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation public data (complaints, manufacturer communications, investigations), model years 2010 and later. Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA.

Questions

What are the most common BMW M235I problems?

In complaints filed with NHTSA for model years 2014–2023, owners most often name: electrical system, exterior lighting, power train. 19 complaints are on record.

Is a complaint or a TSB the same as a recall?

No. A complaint is an unverified report from an owner. A technical service bulletin (TSB) is the manufacturer telling dealers how to fix a known issue; it is not a safety recall and is usually covered only under warranty. A recall is a formal safety action, and its repair is free.

How do I report a problem with my BMW M235I?

File a vehicle safety complaint at NHTSA.gov. NHTSA reads every report, and patterns of complaints are what open defect investigations and, eventually, recalls.