KnownCarProblems2011 BMW 328 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 37 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 BMW 328, most often about the air bags (35% of complaints). It is the most complained-about 328 model year since 2000 and has 1 recall.
Most common 2011 BMW 328 problems
Air bags
13 complaints · 35%BMW 328/2011- poor rain handling & lack of airbag(s) deploying in crash where car was totaled. I was driving in the rain and visibility was fine. My car started to hydroplane and started fishtailing, then spun out of control and into a guard rail on I-95. My airbags did not deploy. My car has been declared a "total…
I called the dealership (motorworks BMW in bloomington mn) regarding two open recalls (pcv heater and air bag) they told me that the airbag was not affected but they would repair the pcv heater. I am more concerned about the air bag as it is related to crash safety.
Electrical
9 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 71,500 miles. Parts named most often: wiring.
Cluster malfunction, one morning after a snowstorm I started the car and all lights on dash and gauges started to malfunction on and off. I took it to the dealer that dealership said the cluster is bad the rdc control unit. Tpms, battery and kombi wiring. And ask for a real high price to repair. After I take it to a…
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328. While driving 45 MPH, the contact heard an explosion coming from the air conditioner/heating system. The contact noticed fumes coming from the vents. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and turned off the engine. Upon restarting the vehicle, the air conditioner…
Other or unspecified
5 complaints · 14%Fumes coming into cabin, BMW service center states that it is the initial burning off of the fuel when car is started, yet it can be detected an hour after the car has been running, especially if the air conditioning is on
Sometimes when I try to open the driver's side door using the mechanical handle, door does not unlock. I have to use my key fob to remotely unlock the car before the door handle will work to open the door.
Seat belts
4 complaints · 11%The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328. The contact stated that the seat belt sensor detected an occupant in the passenger seat when it was unoccupied. The dealer diagnosed that the sensor malfunctioned due to the heat from the leather seat. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 80,000.
Engine
4 complaints · 11%Aluminum headbolt sheared off causing internal damage resulting in car losing power and not being able to get off the roadway. This is an n52 engine and complaints are that this problem is solely caused by an over torque of the bolt during manufacturing.
Electrical system malfunction. BMW dealer ship not taking responsibility for these defects, the sparks plugs keep burning out due to the car overheating.
Lights
3 complaints · 8%Both driver and passenger LED tail lights are starting to fail. Both are flickering and one is dimming, this is happening on the tail gate mounted lights
Electrical system malfunction. BMW dealer ship not taking responsibility for these defects, the sparks plugs keep burning out due to the car overheating.
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 328 recalls
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.
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 328
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 BMW 328?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (13 complaints); electrical (9 complaints, typically around 71,500 miles); other or unspecified (5 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2011 BMW 328 have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 5, 2016 (air bags). 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 328?
- It is the most complained-about 328 model year since 2000, with 37 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.
Other BMW 328 years
- 2011