KnownCarProblems2011 BMW 128i Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 50 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 BMW 128i, most often about the engine (50% of complaints, typically around 112,000 miles). It is the most complained-about 128i model year since 2000 and has 7 recalls.
Most common 2011 BMW 128i problems
Engine
25 complaints · 50%Half of these problems showed up before 112,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 128i. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a red light at 5 MPH, the vehicle shuddered and stalled while making a loud knocking noise. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the aluminum bolts in the variable cam shaft timing…
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 128i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 22v119000 (engine and engine cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. There was smoke coming from…
Air bags
15 complaints · 30%Parts named most often: srs malfunction warning lamp/light.
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 128i. The contact stated while entering the vehicle she noticed that the passengerâs seat occupancy sensor light was illuminated however, there was no one occupying the seat. The contact stated that the warning light remained illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer…
Electrical
7 complaints · 14%The contact owns a 2011 BMW 128i. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH and entering a highway, the vehicle stalled and failed to turn. The contact received assistance from the fire department who advised him that the battery was dead. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but a diagnostic was not performed. The…
Led running lights in passenger side tail lights have failed. Further inspection shows that the circuit board that houses the LED tube lights has a malfunction due to poorly soldered circuit board. Left tail lights running light function fails completely (blinker, and brakes are still retained). Led tubes do not light…
Brakes
3 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: antilock.
Led running lights in passenger side tail lights have failed. Further inspection shows that the circuit board that houses the LED tube lights has a malfunction due to poorly soldered circuit board. Left tail lights running light function fails completely (blinker, and brakes are still retained). Led tubes do not light…
On the convertible model there is a rear brake light bar located on the trunk deck. This light bar has fallen off my vehicle 4 times in 43000 miles. It is not a very effective brake light if it keeps falling off. This is obviously a defect in what is supposed to be a safety feature.
Other or unspecified
3 complaints · 6%Reference pcv valve heater recall. My car started smoking between a month and a half to two months ago. I have talked to both regional and local BMW. They said there were going to make arrangements for alternative transportation but I haven't heard from them since 1/16/18. My car is noticeably smoking while…
Water accumulates in the trunk/boot of the vehicle causing numerous electronic faults, error codes and states per BMW this issue significant. Many issues like the ones I've described were recalled to a degree. Now, their 'fixes' are failing and more and more issue emerge with the BMW e8x frame. I was told per BMW that…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2011 BMW 128i recalls
Engine: crankcase (pcv)
Risk: An electrical short can cause the pcv valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
Fix: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17v-683 and 19v-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the pcv valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17v-683 and 19v-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on april 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on july 22,
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 series coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 series coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xdrive); 2007-2010 x3 sav (x3 3.0si, x3 xdrive30i); 2008-2013 1 series convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 series sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xdrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 series wagon (328i, 328i xdrive); 2007-2013 3 series convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 series sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 series wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 x5 sav (x5 3.0si, x5 xdrive30i); 2006-2008 z4 coupe (z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 z4 roadster (z4 3.0i, z4 3.0si, z4 sdrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (pcv) valve may short circuit.
Air bags: inflator module
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.
Full defect summary
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 degradat
Electrical: wiring
Risk: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the blower-regulator wiring harness, and replace it with a new part, free of charge. The recall began october 4, 2019. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: this recall is an expansion of an earlier recall number 17v-676.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2008-2012 bmw 128i, 135i, 135is coupes and 128i, 135i convertible vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors in the blower-regulator wiring harness may overheat.
Engine: crankcase (pcv)
Risk: An electrical short can cause the parts within the pcv valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pcv valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on november 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of october 2018. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xdrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, x3 3.0si, x3 xdrive30i, x5 xdrive30i, z4 3.0i, z4 3.0si and z4 sdrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (pcv) valve may short circuit.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with 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's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began march 9, 2018. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 series m coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xdrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xdrive sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xit, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xdrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xdrive, 335is and m3 coupes and convertibles, 2013-2015 x1 sdrive28i, x1 xdrive28i and x1 xdrive35i savs, 2007-2010 x3 xdrive30i savs, 2007-2013 x5 xdrive30i, x5 xdrive35i, x5 xdrive48i, x5 xdrive50i and x5 m savs, 2009-2013 bmw x5 xdrive35d savs, 2008-2014 x6 xdrive35i, x6 xdrive50i, and x6 m sacs, 2010-2011 bmw x6 xdrive50i sacs and 2008-2011 m3 sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Engine
Risk: If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four vanos housing bolts for both vanos units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 bmw vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. The recall began on september 24, 2014. Owners may contact bmw at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i coupe, 128i convertible, 328i sedan, 328i xdrive sedan, 328i coupe, 328i convertible, 328i sports wagon and z4 sdrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i coupe, 135i convertible, 335i sedan, x5 xdrive 35i, and x6 xdrive 35i, 2011 335i xdrive sedan, 335i coupe, 335i convertible, 528i sedan, 535i sedan, 535i xdrive sedan, x3 xdrive 28i, and x3 xdrive 35i, 2010 x3 xdrive 30i, and x5 xdrive 30i, 2012 640i coupe, and 640i convertible and 2010-2012 535i gran turismo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (vanos) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break.
Electrical: fuses and circuit breakers
Risk: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on march 13, 2013. Owners may call bmw at 1-800-525-7417 or email bmw at [email protected].
Full defect summary
Bmw is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-series coupes and convertibles manufactured december 2007 through september 2011; and 2007-2011 3-series coupes and convertibles manufactured march 2007 through october 2011; 2007-2011 3-series sedans manufactured march 2007 through october 2011; 2007-2011 3-series sports wagons manufactured march 2007 through june 2011; and 2009-2011 z4 vehicles manufactured march 2009 through june 2011. In february 2013, bmw recalled 504,545 vehicles. In july 2013, bmw informed the agency that it was adding 1-series, 3-series, and z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a break
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
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 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Questions about the 2011 BMW 128i
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 BMW 128i?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (25 complaints, typically around 112,000 miles); air bags (15 complaints); electrical (7 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2011 BMW 128i have?
- 7 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from March 2, 2022 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2011 a bad year for the BMW 128i?
- It is the most complained-about 128i model year since 2000, with 50 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.