KnownCarProblems2011 BMW 328xi Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 67 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 BMW 328xi, most often about the engine (49% of complaints, typically around 79,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about 328xi model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2011 BMW 328xi problems
Engine
33 complaints · 49%Half of these problems showed up before 79,000 miles.
I have owned it for almost 3 years and have had it in the shop 3 times. They changed the coils out, they changed the timing chain, they replaced oil pan gaskets, and head gaskets, and they replaced gasket around the oil filter. All engine related items. I have heard there are BMW engines that build up too much…
I purchased the vehicle back in 08/2014 from mazda heritage in baltimore, md. The dealership stated that the vehicle was certified. After I drove the vehicle off the lot, maybe a week later the check engine light came on. Anytime I accelerated the car would slow down and sputter. I purchased an extended warranty and…
Electrical
17 complaints · 25%Half of these problems showed up before 83,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328xi. The contact stated that the electrical system warning indicator illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced by BMW of rochester (4250 w henrietta rd, rochester, ny 14623, ([phone]) per an unknown NHTSA campaign number, but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle.…
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328xi. While the vehicle was parked, the blower motor and wiring harness became overheated, melted, and caused damage to the glove box and the passenger side carpet. A fire report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that…
Air bags
12 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 51,500 miles. Parts named most often: sensor.
At temperature above 87 degrees f (after a full day in open parking lot under sun) as indicated on the car's dashboard, the seat belt sensor of the car malfunctioned. Even though I had my seat belt firmly clasped but the car kept on beeping seatbelt warning for about 5-10 minutes until the temperature inside the car…
Passenger front seat occupancy mat/sensor failed, causing air bags to turn on/off, and trigger false positives and false negatives for minimum weight occupancy, thereby triggering seat belt alarm, and disabling/enabling air bags incorrectly. This was a recall in the same car, model year 2006. I would like my feedback…
Fuel system
7 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 108,000 miles.
My vehicle is experiencing the same symptoms and is reporting the same trouble codes related to recall number: 17v683000. However, my vehicle is not included in this recall. I would appreciate it if this matter could be investigated and my vehicles VIN included in this recall.
Without any time to pull over, my car has suddenly stopped on a busy highway at speeds of about 45 and 65 not once but twice in about a 3 month span. First time I was stuck in a middle lane going about 45mph and my car completely came to a stop. I needed police to come out and an emergency tow due to location. I took…
Speed control
6 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 22,500 miles.
The contact owns 2011 BMW 328xi. The contact stated that while driving into the driveway the vehicle suddenly accelerated and crashed into another vehicle. No injuries were reported and a police report was filed. The front of the vehicle sustained extensive damages and the other vehicle also had extensive damages to…
A letter from BMW came in june 2014 stating that my vehicle is effected for important safety recall and that I would be notified when the parts become available to have it fixed. The recall was for vanos assembly bolts. The letter states that I may hear increased noise, check engine light may come on leading to…
Other or unspecified
5 complaints · 8%I remember driving home on the interstate and smelling a burning smell. I had the windows open but it didn't seem like it was coming from outside. Later, the car's HVAC blower fan stopped working. During repair, the blower motor resistor and the harness that plugs into it were found to be badly burned. The harness…
Blower motor wiring.my fan has stopped working. I had it fixed once before out of my own pocket. It has been almost a year and the remedy is still not available.
Transmission
4 complaints · 6%A letter from BMW came in june 2014 stating that my vehicle is effected for important safety recall and that I would be notified when the parts become available to have it fixed. The recall was for vanos assembly bolts. The letter states that I may hear increased noise, check engine light may come on leading to…
Cam bolts shear off and fall into engine resulting in complete loss of power on the freeway while in drive, extended warranty should fix this however all they did at BMW tri cities was put new bolts on and there are massive issues happening related to bolts failing, they will do nothing about this
Lights
3 complaints · 5%Footwell module failure caused the turn signals, interior lights, power windows to fail to operate. The failure occurred when a mechanic tried to run diagnostics on the vehicle during routine service.
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 328xi 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
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.
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 328xi
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 BMW 328xi?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (33 complaints, typically around 79,000 miles); electrical (17 complaints, typically around 83,500 miles); air bags (12 complaints, typically around 51,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2011 BMW 328xi have?
- 3 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 328xi?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about 328xi model year since 2000, with 67 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.