FROM THE TIME OF OWNERSHIP (MARCH 16, 2012) TO NOW, THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF DURING OPERATION WHILE IN IDLE RPM SPEED. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A SIX-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. WHETHER THE CLUTCH IS FULLY PRESSED IN AND IN-GEAR, OR THE VEHICLE IS OUT-OF-GEAR, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY FOR THE IDLE RPMS DROPPING AND THE ENGINE SHUTTING OFF. THIS MOSTLY OCCURS WHILE STOPPING FOR A RED LIGHT, STOPPING …
2012 bmw 135i powertrain problems
moderate 6 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
VEHICLE EXHIBITS AN INTERMITTENT HESITATION (LIKE A STALL) WHERE THERE IS AN APPARENT TOTAL LOSS OF POWER AT LOW SPEEDS (COASTING) OR FROM STOPPED. ON SEVERAL INSTANCES THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE IN A LEFT TURN LANE WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND CREATES A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. THE VEHICLE MORE FREQUENTLY, BUT NOT ALWAYS SURGES IN RMP WITHOUT THROTTLE INPUT WHEN COMING TO A STOP. IN MANY INSTANCES, TH…
VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH 7 SPEED DCT TRANSMISSION. WHEN CAR HAD ALMOST COME TO A STOP THERE WAS SUDDEN BURST OF ENGINE SPEED (TO ABOUT 2500 RPM) CAUSING CAR TO SHOOT FORWARD. ACCIDENT AVOIDED BY JAMMING ON THE BRAKE. THIS THEN HAPPENED SEVERAL MORE TIMES. DEALER RE-PROGRAMMED ECM AND PROBLEM HAS NOT GONE AWAY. OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. MOST RECENT EPISODE IN MY OWN GARAGE WHERE BARELY AVOIDED DRIVING IN…
REFERENCE: HTTP://WWW.1ADDICTS.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=1263580 BMW 135I DCT TRANSMISSION OIL PAN/GASKET STARTED LEAKING DUE TO THE CONSTANT HOT TEMPERATURE FROM THE EXHAUST CAUSING PART TO DEFORM. LEAK WAS NOT DETECTABLE UNTIL TRANSMISSION FAILS, CAUSING CAR TO BE STRANDED.
WHEN DRIVING IN TRAFFIC THE BMW 135I DCT TRANSMISSION WILL STALL WHEN COMING TO A STOP. THIS RESULTS IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. SOMETIMES BEFORE THE CAR STALLS, THE ENGINE WILL REV WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT TO 2500 RPM AND DROP THE CLUTCH WHICH RESULTS IN A RAPID ACCELERATION IF YOUR FOOT IS NOT ON THE BRAKE THIS CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I HAVE ALMOST CRASHED THE CAR MANY TIMES AS A RESULT OF THIS…
HAVE TAKEN THE CAR FIVE TIMES FOR THE SAME STALLING,AND LAGGING OF THE FAULTY DUAL CLUTCH TRANSMISSION. THE CAR HESITATES 3-5SECONDS NO RESPONSE TO THROTTLE INPUT AND THEN LUNGES VIOLENTLY FORWARD. CAR HOLDS GEAR WHEN PULLING AWAY FROM LIGHTS AND THEN SURGES WHEN PARKING THE CAR ALMOST CAUSING ME TO HIT CARS PARKED NEXT TO ME. SOFTWARE HAS BEEN UPDATED ON THE CAR FOUR TIMES AND THE ISSUE IS STILL …
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2012 bmw 135i?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 6 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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