Two years at the same age, so the older one is not punished for having been on the road longer.
2008 vs 2009 BMW 135I
NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-09-07
Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.
In plain English
A lifetime total makes the 2008 look busier because it has been on the road longer. This page counts reports in the first 216 months for each year, so both years are the same age.
In that window, the 2009 has 42.0% fewer owner reports than the 2008.
The mix also shifted: Fuel system is a larger share of reports on the 2009 (16.4 points). That is a change in what owners named, not a score.
Open both year-pages. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov. Have a shop inspect Fuel system. Do not pick a year from the percentage alone.
First 216 months on market for each model year
Exposure window calculated through Sep 8, 2026
Reports while each year was the same age
▼ 42.0% fewer reports at the same age
NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-09-07
What owners named more or less
Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.
View component share data as a table
| Component | 2008 share | 2009 share | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) | 35.3% | 51.7% | ▲ 16.4 pts larger share |
| Airbags (AIR BAGS) | 21.6% | 10.3% | ▼ 11.2 pts smaller share |
| Wheels (WHEELS) | 9.8% | not reported | ▼ 9.8 pts smaller share |
| Engine (ENGINE) | 7.8% | 17.2% | ▲ 9.4 pts larger share |
| Seat belts (SEAT BELTS) | 3.9% | not reported | ▼ 3.9 pts smaller share |
| Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) | 3.9% | 6.9% | ▲ 3.0 pts larger share |
| Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) | 7.8% | 10.3% | ▲ 2.5 pts larger share |
| Tires (TIRES) | 2.0% | not reported | ▼ 2.0 pts smaller share |
| Body / frame (STRUCTURE) | 2.0% | not reported | ▼ 2.0 pts smaller share |
| Suspension (SUSPENSION) | 2.0% | not reported | ▼ 2.0 pts smaller share |
| Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) | 2.0% | not reported | ▼ 2.0 pts smaller share |
| Unclassified NHTSA leftover | 29.4% | 55.2% | ▲ 25.8 pts larger share |
NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-09-06
Recall campaigns
Campaign components: Airbags and Electrical
Campaign components: Airbags and Electrical
NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety signals
- ◆ Fires
- 2 → 0
- ◆ Injuries
- 2 → 0
Frequently asked questions
Which BMW 135I year had more problems, 2008 or 2009?
In that window, the 2009 has 42.0% fewer owner reports than the 2008. Lifetime totals are not used here because the older year has had more time on the road.
Why not just compare lifetime complaint totals?
The older year has had more time to collect reports. This page holds age constant by counting the first 216 months for each year.
Does a larger share of one system mean that year is worse?
No. It means owners named that system more often in the file. Inspect it. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip.