Owners filed 67 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine. It has been recalled 3 times.
When it fails
07900079,000 milesMedian miles at failure
47 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 105,000–120,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Engine
18
1
0
0
Electrical System
16
0
4
0
Engine and Engine Cooling
9
0
1
0
Air Bags
9
3
0
4
Fuel/Propulsion System
4
0
0
0
Vehicle Speed Control
2
1
0
0
Unknown or Other
2
0
0
0
Tires
1
0
0
0
Service Brakes
1
1
0
0
Seats
1
0
0
0
3 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module24V513000
Filed Jul 3, 2024394,029 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc
Defect. 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.
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy. 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.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module20V017000
Filed Jan 15, 202059,965 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc
Defect. 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 degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy. 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.
Electrical System › Wiring17V676000
Filed Oct 25, 2017702,965 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc
Defect. 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.
Risk. Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
Remedy. 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.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jul 30, 2024MA
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jul 12, 2024IL
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 12, 2024MA
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 4, 2024VA
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine
Filed Mar 1, 2024123,200 milesKS
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328XI. The contact stated that on several occasions when the vehicle was started, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. Additionally, while driving on several occasions at slow speeds, the vehicle was shaking abnormally. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 123,200.
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 5, 2024133,000 milesMD
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the engine made an abnormal sound, and the vehicle experienced reduced motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to operate as needed. The message "Service Engine Soon" was displayed. The local dealer was contacted. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the failure was related to the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine
Filed Jan 5, 2024122,000 milesMI
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328XI. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shaking excessively from the engine compartment. The contact stated while driving, the 4WD, brakes, and Service engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while the warning lights were illuminated, the cruise control was inoperable. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 122,000.
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jul 25, 2022120,000 milesRI
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328XI. 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 the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced hard started and would vibrate abnormal while started. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated due to a failed O2 sensor. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 8, 2022PA
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328XI. 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 the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle overheated while the HVAC system was turned on. Additionally, the vehicle jerked and there was smoke coming from the exhaust pipe while driving. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed May 26, 2022IL
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328XI. 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 dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was invalid.
Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Aug 12, 202152,202 milesME
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328XI. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, an odor appeared from the exhaust pipe and under the hood where the engine was located. The contact mentioned that every year the oil was changed at an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the valve gasket failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred. The contact feels unsafe driving the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided the contact with a case number. The dealer was contacted and confirm that no recalls under the VIN. The contact mentioned NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) as a possible solution to the failure however the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximate 52,202
Engine
Filed Apr 20, 2021112,000 milesWI
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.
Engine
Filed Feb 8, 2021110,000 milesMA
BOLTS HOLDING THE VANOS UNIT HOUSING BROKE AND DAMAGED MY CAR ENGINE. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED IN THE US MARKET AS THEY HAVE DONE IN CHINESE MARKET BACK IN THE 2014. ENGINE IS MAKING LOUT NOISE AND DAMAGED WITH COUPLE BOLTS SNAPPED INSIDE. THE CAR IS NOT WORKING AND IS WITH BMW GALLERY IN ROCKLAND, MA. THE CAR HAS ONLY 11,0000 MILES ON IT, WHICH SHOULDN'T HAVE ENGINE PROBLEM LIKE THAT. HTTPS://WWW.AUTOBLOG.COM/AMP/2014/04/11/BMW-BROADENS-ENGINE-BOLT-RECALL-NEARLY-HALF-MILLION-CARS-WORLDWIDE/
Engine
Filed Dec 7, 2020100,240 milesPA
ALUMINUM BOLTS ON VANOS INTAKE ACTUATOR/PHASER SNAPPED. CAUSED INTERNAL ENGINE DAMAGE. HAD REPAIRED, ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS, ENGINE IS IN TIMING. CALLED BMW DEALERSHIP IN PA. THEY STATED NO RECALLS FOR ISSUE, NO TSB'S. I FOUND A NHTSA CAMPAIGN THAT MATCHES THE DESCRIPTION OF WHAT HAPPENED 14V76000, BMW DEALER DID NOT RECONGNIZE CAMPAIGN. CANNOT RESELL THE VEHICLE WITH CEL & SPENT THOUSANDS TRYING TO REPAIR. UPSIDE DOWN ON THE CAR & FRUSTRATED.
Tires
Filed Jul 9, 2020105,980 milesCO
I HAVE BRIDGESTONE DRIVEGUARD RUN FLAT TIRES ... JUST HAD MY 3RD BLOW OUT OF A FRONT TIRE IN THE LAST 18 MONTHS. ONLY 3 BLOW OUTS I'VE EVER HAD IN 48 YEARS OF DRIVING. THE BLOW OUT TODAY WAS THE REPLACEMENT TIRE FOR THE BLOW OUT 18 MONTHS AGO ... SO QUITE NEW WITH LITTLE WEAR. IN ALL 3 CASES THE TIRE BLEW OUT (FRACTURED) WHERE THE BEAD INTERSECTS THE TIRE RIM.
EngineCrash
Filed Oct 24, 201956,000 milesNC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 328XI. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED, AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND OIL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ON AUGUST 26, 2019, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO RICK HENDRICK BMW (1518 SAVANNAH HWY, CHARLESTON, SC 29407, (843) 261-5760) TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). ON AUGUST 27, 2019, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHILE BEING TEST DRIVEN BY A MECHANIC. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED OF THE CRASH THE FOLLOWING DAY. ON AUGUST 29, 2019, THE CONTACT WENT TO THE DEALER TO SPEAK WITH A MANAGER AND WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD NEED A POLICE REPORT BEFORE THEY COULD MAKE ANY DECISIONS REGARDING HIS VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH HIS INSURANCE COMPANY. ON SEPTEMBER 3, 2019, THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED A REPAIR ESTIMATE VIA EMAIL AT THE COST OF $4,751. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REC ECCENTRIC SHAFT SENSOR WITH THE VALVE COVER, OIL FILTER SOLENOIDS, SPARK PLUGS, COILS AND OTHER OIL RELATED FAILURES IN THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ON OCTOBER 15, 2019, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HIS BUMPER HAD BEEN REPLACED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY OF THE DRIVER WHO CRASHED INTO HIS VEHICLE AND THAT HE WAS "ALL SET TO GO". UPON HIS RETURN HOME, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS DENIED A LOANER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE VEHICLE'
Power Train
Filed Oct 10, 201967,000 milesOH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 328XI. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V044000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) WITH THE FAILURE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,000.
Electrical System
Filed Jun 23, 2019CT
WHEN I TURN ON MY AIR CONDITIONING MY CAR OVERHEATS WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IT STARTED TO OVERHEAT AND I WAS STUCK ON THE HIGHWAY FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS I NEED THIS PROBLEM FIXED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE I AM IN FEAR OF THIS HAPPENING AGAIN
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger
Filed May 24, 2019100,000 milesNC
PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM ERROR: WHEN PASSENGERS SIT IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT A WARNING COMES ON AND DISABLES AIRBAG EVEN WHEN BELT IS BUCKLED OR NOT, DRIVING OR STATIONARY. WARNING STAYS ON AFTER PASSENGER EXITS. WARNING STAYS ON FOR ABOUT 50 MILES OF DRIVING AND RESETS UNTIL THE SEAT IS SAT IN AGAIN. ONLINE FORUMS SHOW RECALL FOR THIS IN OTHER MODELS BUT NOT MINE YET MUCH IS BEING REPORTED. SEEMS THE SEAT SENSOR PAD GOES BAD. VERY FEW PEOPLE SIT IN THIS SEAT SO THE SENSOR SYSTEM SHOULD NOT BE MALFUNCTIONING/WEARING OUT. IT IS INTERMITTENT BUT FREQUENT SUGGESTING IT IS THE SAME SYMPTOM ISSUE AS OTHER BMW MODELS WITH RECALLED SEAT SENSOR PADS.
Engine
Filed May 17, 2019100,000 milesCO
VEHICLE SHOWED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND WAS IDLING ROUGH DURING COMMUTE. ENGINE SHUTOFF/STALLED WHILE STOPPED AT A STOPLIGHT. WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND RETURN HOME, BUT IDLE REMAINED ROUGH. ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE TO REPAIR SHOP ON ANOTHER DAY, IDLE WAS ROUGH UPON ENGINE START AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. CAR AGAIN STALLED AT AN INTERSECTION WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. ENGINE WOULD NOT RE-START AND VEHICLE REQUIRED A TOW TO GET IT TO SHOP. DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER EXPLAINED THAT VANOS BOLTS HAD SHEARED AND IS THE EXACT ISSUE DESCRIBED IN BMW RECALL CAMPAIGN VANOS SIB 14V-176. IN SPITE OF MY VEHICLE MATCHING THE MAKE, MODEL, YEAR, AND ENGINE TYPE DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL, BMW INFORMED ME THAT MY VIN WAS NOT SHOWING ANY RECALL. IT APPEARS BMW OF NORTH AMERICA HAS EITHER INTENTIONALLY OR THROUGH NEGLIGENCE OMITTED CERTAIN VEHICLE VINS FROM THE RECALL BULLETIN, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE SUBJECT TO THE MALFUNCTION SPECIFIED (SHEARING OF VANOS BOLTS).
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Jul 3, 2024. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.