KnownCarProblems2011 BMW 328i Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 577 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 BMW 328i, most often about the engine (63% of complaints, typically around 101,000 miles). It is the most complained-about 328i model year since 2000 and has 7 recalls.
Most common 2011 BMW 328i problems
Engine
364 complaints · 63%Half of these problems showed up before 101,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine, cooling system.
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 17v676000 (electrical system) and 17v683000 (engine and engine cooling). The parts to do the repair were unavailable. While driving, the contact noticed a burning odor and smoke. There were no warning indicators illuminated.…
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328i. The contact stated that the vehicle overheated intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 17v676000 (electrical system), 13v044000 (electrical system), 17v683000 (engine and…
Electrical
129 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 91,500 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, instrument cluster/panel.
We bought the car late october 2015. In june 2016 I parked it in a locked garage. The next morning I got in it and the visor was melted. Again december 27, 2016 I parked it in a locked garage and when I got in it, it had large burn marks. Approx 14 to 18 inches long and 1 1/2 wide. I took it to BMW and they told me we…
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328i. While the contact was parking the vehicle, it lost power without warning and failed to restart. The vehicle was jumpstarted by aaa. The vehicle was later taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the module under the driver's seat failed and needed to be replaced.…
Air bags
91 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: sensor.
Takata recall. I have waited over one year to have this recalled addressed and have not heard from the manufacture. How do I get this repair completed?
Takata recall front drivers side airbag inflated late and shouldn't have as well as the passenger side airbags in the roof in both front and back seat. Side frontal passenger airbag did not inflate. Chemical reaction occurred. Airbag deployment broke my left hand.
Other or unspecified
43 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles.
My car is below 70k miles never over heated or had any issues but out of nowhere my trunk started unlocking on its on, killing my battery. My radio stopped working and I've been hearing noises from my door speakers. & now today my car will not start at all & if it does it turns off immediately.
While looking up the recall for the takata recall, I noticed there was an open recall on my car for the vanos housing bolts, I had not received a notice in the mail even though I had updated my account with BMW at first notice of the tanaka recall. I had my car serviced for the vano housing repair which they removed…
Transmission
24 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 51,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328i. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle would not accelerate. The contact continued depressing the accelerator pedal until the vehicle responded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where the technician was unable to diagnose the failure.…
2011 328i with 53,500 miles. Engine cold start hesitation with vibrations while idling stationary. Took vehicle in to dealership to diagnose issue, oil change. Was told that it was the eccentric shaft sensor/gaskets, battery tested low to include vvt sensors and left pad brake sensor due to wire cut. Total cost $2300…
Fuel system
20 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 80,500 miles.
12/24/2018 fuel pump malfunction warning comes on while driving indication vehicle while shut off each time this happens I am driving on the nj turnpike forced to pull over before vehicle shuts down and does not start!!! 01/2019 I have had new fuel pump installed and it happened again, 03/2019 fuel pump replaced again…
12/24/2018 fuel pump malfunction warning comes on while driving indication vehicle while shut off each time this happens I am driving on the nj turnpike forced to pull over before vehicle shuts down and does not start!!! 01/2019 I have had new fuel pump installed and it happened again, 03/2019 fuel pump replaced again…
Lights
19 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 119,000 miles. Parts named most often: turn signal, headlights.
Purchased a 2011 BMW 328i used it came with extended warranty the first issue I had was in my foot well module I came in from work parked car in drive way woke up the next morning to no headlights turn signals and car would not start I contacted BMW because there was a recall on the foot well module took car in to get…
I purchased my vehicle and my 3rd top center brake light has never worked. My tires the tread seems low and I should have had new tires on the car when I purchased it. The steering seems more difficult when turning than it should be. Also I didn't receive 2 keys. My owners manual says I should receive 2 keys. I also…
Visibility and wipers
14 complaints · 2%Half of these problems showed up before 92,500 miles. Parts named most often: defroster/defogger/hvac system, windshield, sun/moon roof assembly.
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328i. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the contact noticed that the windshield had a crack that extended approximately eight inches. The contact called a glass replacement company to have the windshield replaced. The independent technician stated that there were many complaints about the…
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328i. The contact smelled burning wires and stated that the blower motor turned on and off after the vehicle drove over a bump in the road. The symptoms were similar to those listed in NHTSA campaign number: 17v676000 (electrical system). An independent mechanic verified the failure with…
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 328i recalls
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: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed august 30, 2024. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 series sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 series sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 series sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or m-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.
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
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.
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 replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on november 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and m3, 2007-2011 328i xdrive, 335i xdrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.
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
Transmission: driveshaft
Risk: If the bolts loosen, it could lead to a loss of power to the front wheels and ultimately a vehicle breakdown, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driveshaft attachment bolts free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during october 2011. Owners may contact bmw customer relations and services at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw is recalling certain model year 2011 328i xdrive and 335i xdrive vehicles manufactured from february 8, 2011, through july 29, 2011. The front driveshaft attachment bolts may not have been tightened to specification. If the bolts were not tightened to specification, they may become loose.
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.
Questions about the 2011 BMW 328i
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 BMW 328i?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (364 complaints, typically around 101,000 miles); electrical (129 complaints, typically around 91,500 miles); air bags (91 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2011 BMW 328i have?
- 7 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 3, 2024 (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 328i?
- It is the most complained-about 328i model year since 2000, with 577 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.