TAILGATE UNINTENTIONALLY OPENS: This Service Information Bulletin (Revision 4) replaces SI B51 30 16 dated March 2018. Trunk/tailgate may open when vehicle is locked Trunk/tailgate may open while the vehicle is in motion usually after stopping such as a traffic light etc. Vehicle key trunk/tailgate button may be accidentally pressed thus opening the tailgate.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 BMW 335i airbags problems
moderate Owners of the 2012 BMW 335i have filed 15 NHTSA complaints about the airbags at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 335i | 43 |
| 2012 335i (this page) | 15 |
| 2013 335i | 11 |
What stands out
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
SIDE PANEL REAR LIGHT HOUSINGS: LTD WTY EXT TO 10 YEARS WITHOUT MILEAGE LIMIT: The rear light housing(s) can loosen/detach at the mounting tabs this can cause a clacking sound in the rear of the vehicle while driving. The plastic mounting tabs for the rear tail light assembly housing(s) may become too brittle and crack to the point where the hold down nut(s) can no longer keep the housing(s) in place.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TAKATA CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT. CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM. FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG MODULES.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The dominant issue across these complaints is the Takata airbag recall (NHTSA Campaign 16V071000), issued in March 2016. Over a year and a half later, many owners still cannot get their cars repaired because BMW cannot source replacement airbag modules. Dealers gave varying excuses: parts available in August/September 2017, 1–2 weeks out, or February 2018—none of which materialized for the complaining owners. One dealer cited geographic prioritization, fixing high-humidity southern states first. Owners waited months, called repeatedly, and received no firm answers.
A secondary pattern involves the passenger-side seat occupancy sensor. Owners report intermittent warnings flagging "malfunction in passenger restraint system," followed by the "PASS AIRBAG OFF" light. Dealers pinpointed a faulty occupancy sensor mat preventing the ECU from detecting a passenger, which disables the airbag—a genuine safety gap if you're in a crash. One dealer's only solution was a new seat assembly at the owner's cost, with no recall or warranty.
Dealer communication was poor. Some did not return calls, failed to schedule appointments, or promised email updates that never came. Owners felt stuck: their safety systems were compromised, repair parts did not exist, and dealers offered no timeline or alternatives.
Same BMW 335i airbags reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Takata Airbag Recall Parts Unavailability (NHTSA Campaign 16V071000)
Owners received recall notifications for defective Takata airbags but dealerships could not obtain replacement parts for extended periods. Multiple owners reported 2-8+ month delays with no firm delivery dates from BMW or Takata. Some dealers cited geographic prioritization (high-humidity southern states first), while others gave vague timeframes (late August/September 2017, February 2018 estimates). The recall was issued in March 2016, yet by late 2017, many vehicles remained unrepaired.
When: Recall notice issued March 2016; complaints span 2016-2017 with unresolved status months after notification
Symptoms owners cite: Owners unable to schedule recall repairs due to parts shortage; Extended waiting periods (2-8 months or longer) with no confirmed parts availability; Vague or repeatedly-changed manufacturer estimates for parts delivery; No clear timeline for repair completion
Repairs/costs cited: NHTSA Campaign 16V071000 recall repair requires Takata airbag replacement; parts were not available through normal dealer channels during the complaint period
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 16V071000 (Takata Airbag Recall); BMW dealers informed owners parts unavailable, offered estimates ranging 1-2 weeks to February 2018; some dealers cited geographic prioritization for high-humidity states
Passenger Seat Occupancy Sensor Malfunction
Owners reported intermittent passenger-side airbag restraint system warnings accompanied by 'PASS AIRBAG OFF' light illumination. Diagnostic assessment pointed to a faulty seat occupancy sensor mat that prevented the ECU from detecting passenger presence, disabling the passenger airbag as a safety protection. One owner stated the BMW dealership demanded purchase of a complete new seat assembly at the owner's expense, with no manufacturer recall or warranty coverage offered.
When: Occurring intermittently during normal driving with passenger occupancy
Symptoms owners cite: Intermittent warning: 'malfunction in passenger restraint system'; 'PASS AIRBAG OFF' light illumination; Passenger airbag disabled due to undetected occupancy; Safety concern: airbag may not deploy in accident despite passenger in seat
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers identified faulty passenger airbag seat occupancy sensor mat; one dealership demanded owner pay for complete seat assembly replacement
Dealer Communication and Service Coordination Failures
Multiple owners reported poor dealer responsiveness and communication regarding the Takata recall. One Atlanta-area dealer (Global Imports Marietta) allegedly did not return calls, failed to schedule appointments, and promised email follow-up that never arrived despite owner contact every month since purchase. Another dealership in Bellevue offered no resolution for the occupancy sensor issue and provided no recall status communication. These coordination breakdowns left owners unable to pursue repairs and uncertain of recall status.
When: During recall administration period (2016-2017) and ongoing occupancy sensor issues
Symptoms owners cite: Dealer does not return phone calls; Dealer fails to schedule or honor appointment requests; Dealer provides promised email correspondence that does not arrive; No proactive dealer outreach regarding recall status or parts availability; Dealer provides no alternative solutions or timeline
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 12 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 BMW 335i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags); however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. Parts distribution…
Takata recall - I called the local dealer on 9-25-17 when I received the safety recall letter. After 2 months the part is still not available and on 11-30-17 I was told that the part may be available in february 2018. I am concerned about this and do not feel safe driving my car. Can you help me to get the parts much sooner than february of next year? Thank you for your time and consideration.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 BMW 335i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 BMW 335i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Braman motorcars in west palm beach, florida was made aware of the recall and stated that the parts were unavailable. The…
Takata recall. Received recall notice in march 2016. Repairs not yet completed. BMW states they do not have the necessary parts. BMW states they are prioritizing repairs first for the hot and high humid us southern states. We are in virginia which is a very hot and high humidity state during the summer. We are afraid to use the car until it is repaired. This is unacceptable.
Airbag recall has been in place for 17 months and no resolution. Apparently it can cause injury or death if I am in an accident - and still no resolution for my car to address the recall from BMW.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 BMW 335i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags) and stated that the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool…
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 BMW 335i. The contact stated that the recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags) was received in march of 2016. After contacting the dealer and manufacturer on multiple occasions, the contact was informed that the parts needed to repair the vehicle were still not available and no estimated time for receiving the parts could be given. The contact had…
While driving with a passenger in front passenger seat, I occasionally receive a warning that there is a malfunction in passenger restraint system. At that time, the "pass airbag off" light goes on. I did take this to the dealer and was told it is likely a faulty passenger airbag seat occupancy sensor mat. The car is available for inspection Our safety is potentially compromised because the…
Air bags do not function as per the recall. BMW has no solution to fix the airbags. They will not take the care back
Had airbags trouble with your 2012 BMW 335i?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2012 BMW 335i?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 15 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Based on the 15 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 53,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags 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 airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags 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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/BMW/335i.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.