2011 BMW 328XI Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jul 30, 2024 · 67 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other 328XI years
Far more complaints than other years 3rd of 12 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 BMW 328XI. That ranks 3rd out of 12 328XI model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (24 complaints, 36%), typically at around 78,000 miles. Complaints mention 6 crashes, 5 fires, 4 injuries. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2011 BMW 328XI problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Engine24 · ~78,000 mi
Electrical System17 · ~83,479 mi
Air Bags12 · ~51,300 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling9 · ~120,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion System7 · ~108,000 mi
Vehicle Speed Control6 · ~22,500 mi
Unknown or Other5 · ~100,000 mi
Power Train4 · ~76,000 mi
Exterior Lighting3 · ~130,000 mi
Seats2 · ~51,300 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Engine2436%78,000——
Electrical System1725%83,479——
Air Bags1218%51,300——
Engine and Engine Cooling913%120,000——
Fuel/propulsion System710%108,000——
Vehicle Speed Control69%22,500——
Unknown or Other57%100,000——
Power Train46%76,000——
Exterior Lighting34%130,000——
Seats23%51,300——
Seat Belts11%36,960——
Service Brakes11%9,000——
Structure11%74,000——
Tires11%105,980——
Visibility11%79,000——
Visibility/wiper11%130,000——
Wheels11%74,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2018, with 19 complaints
2012: 2201222013: 1201312014: 6201462015: 3201532016: 6201662017: 9201792018: 192018192019: 6201962020: 2202022021: 3202132022: 3202232024: 720247

n = 67 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2011 BMW 328XI recalls (3)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator moduleJul 3, 2024 · NHTSA campaign 24V513000 · 394,029 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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.

Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator moduleJan 15, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V017000 · 59,965 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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.

Electrical system:wiringOct 25, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V676000 · 702,965 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

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…

Engine and Engine Cooling · received Jul 30, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11605345

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…

Engine and Engine Cooling · received Jul 12, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11601473

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…

Engine and Engine Cooling · received Mar 12, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11576919

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…

Engine and Engine Cooling · received Mar 4, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11575326

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…

Engine · received Mar 1, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11574889

Other BMW 328XI years

← 2010 328XI · 2012 328XI →

See all BMW 328XI problems by year, every BMW model, or the BMW VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2011 BMW 328XI?

Owners most often report engine, electrical system, air bags problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 24 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2011 BMW 328XI?

Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2011 BMW 328XI a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other 328XI model years, the 2011 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.