KnownCarProblems2011 BMW 335i Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 98 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 BMW 335i, most often about the engine (37% of complaints, typically around 48,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about 335i model year since 2000 and has 7 recalls.
Most common 2011 BMW 335i problems
Engine
36 complaints · 37%Half of these problems showed up before 48,000 miles.
For 8 mos now, my car has been stalling. I have taken it in twice and they have not been able to replicate the problem. It happened again yesterday and I called but now it is not under warranty! It happens about 15-20 minutes into my morning commute, stop and go traffic on highway or expressway. Usually at a complete…
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 335i. While driving various speeds and accelerating, the speed decreased and the message "engine pressure reduction" appeared. In addition, while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to niello BMW in elk grove, california where the high pressure fuel…
Air bags
32 complaints · 33%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: sensor, frontal.
Takata recall - I live in zone a/1; I was notified about the recall in cy2016. BMW cannot provide any information about when my car will be made safe again. Now takata is bankrupt. How can I force BMW to fix my car? Note: 'when did this happen' date below is an estimate.
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 335i. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact's vehicle collided into a tree without warning. The air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The contact declined assistance from the emt, but went to an urgent care. Facility for cuts to the right hand, fracture to the right pinky…
Electrical
16 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 62,500 miles.
Center brake light falls out of holder. Can not permanently reattach. Dealer added double sided tape but that has failed too. Repair attempted multiple times by sales staff.
Hello, I wanted to bring to attention the failing footwell modules in e9x generation bmws. The modules have a high failure rate and when they become inoperable you lose your headlights, turn signals, locking and unlocking doors, power window control and the ability to move your mirrors. It is a serious safety concern…
Fuel system
12 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles.
Vehicle has been experienced cold start issue since about a year ago, it cranks and start up fine however the engine RPM will drop and struggle to stay at idle, engine eventually will stall within 2-3 seconds. Last week while waiting at a traffic light on a local street, the engine stall on its own, check engine light…
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 335i. While driving various speeds and accelerating, the speed decreased and the message "engine pressure reduction" appeared. In addition, while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to niello BMW in elk grove, california where the high pressure fuel…
Other or unspecified
7 complaints · 7%The contact owns a 2011 BMW 335i. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact's vehicle collided into a tree without warning. The air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The contact declined assistance from the emt, but went to an urgent care. Facility for cuts to the right hand, fracture to the right pinky…
I am perplexed that nhsta allows tire manufacturers to sell tires without warranty. Any merchandise sold to public has at least 1 year manufacturer's warranty against defects in parts, material and workmanship but not tires. The only part that connects a vehicle to a surface is a tire. Therefore, tires are the most…
Speed control
5 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles.
Engine shut off loss of power steering loss of ability to accelerate while driving on 7/27/17, our 2011 BMW 335i's ability to accelerate stopped, RPM increased but still in drive not in neutral. During loss of accelerate, power steering failed and was unable to pull off side of the road. This happened while vehicle…
Upon driving at highway speed (70+MPH) the car slowed down (engine braking) to approx 40mph instantly. The cars behind me were forced to brake forcefully. An accident was avoided because it was sunday morning and light traffic. The car displayed "engine malfunction-drive to the dealership". The car was without power -…
Transmission
5 complaints · 5%While driving the car will automatically go into neutral. When idle too the car goes into neutral and you can't shift into drive. When driving on the highway it hits neutral and the car redlines, the car will coast down the highway until it hops back into gear
Lights
4 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: tail lights.
Blinker lights and windows not working. I was not driving when I noticed the problem. I was pulling out of my driveway but did not proceed when I noticed the windows and lights weren't working. Both blinker and high beams are not working.
Hello, I wanted to bring to attention the failing footwell modules in e9x generation bmws. The modules have a high failure rate and when they become inoperable you lose your headlights, turn signals, locking and unlocking doors, power window control and the ability to move your mirrors. It is a serious safety concern…
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 335i 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.
Transmission: constant velocity joint
Risk: If the cv joint breaks, the vehicle may have a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear driveshaft cv joint and, based on its production date, will replace it, free of charge. The recall began april 21, 2017. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2011-2012 135i coupe, 1 series m coupe and 135i convertible vehicles, 2011 z4 sdrive 35i, 335i, 335d, 335i coupe, 335is coupe, 335i convertible, 335is convertible, 535i, 535i xdrive, 535i gran turismo and 550i xdrive gran turismo vehicles and 2012 740i and 740li vehicles. The rear driveshaft constant velocity (cv) joint on the affected vehicles may fatigue and break.
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 335i
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 BMW 335i?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (36 complaints, typically around 48,000 miles); air bags (32 complaints, typically around 50,000 miles); electrical (16 complaints, typically around 62,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2011 BMW 335i 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 335i?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about 335i model year since 2000, with 98 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.