AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
2011 BMW 335
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 28 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 BMW 335, most frequently naming the airbags, engine and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 5 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 2013 | 1 | 1 |
| Sep 2013 | 1 | 2 |
| Jun 2014 | 1 | 3 |
| Oct 2014 | 1 | 4 |
| Jun 2015 | 1 | 5 |
| Aug 2015 | 1 | 6 |
| Oct 2015 | 2 | 8 |
| Sep 2016 | 1 | 9 |
| Oct 2016 | 1 | 10 |
| Nov 2016 | 6 | 16 |
| Dec 2016 | 1 | 17 |
| Jan 2017 | 2 | 19 |
| Feb 2017 | 1 | 20 |
| Mar 2017 | 1 | 21 |
| Jul 2017 | 1 | 22 |
| Aug 2017 | 1 | 23 |
| Nov 2017 | 1 | 24 |
| Dec 2017 | 1 | 25 |
| Jan 2018 | 1 | 26 |
| Oct 2018 | 1 | 27 |
| Nov 2018 | 1 | 28 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
Safety recalls
1 campaign cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govSafety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
I PURCHASED NEW PIRELLI PZERO TIRES FROM MY LOCAL BMW DEALER. THE REAR TIRES EXHIBITED INTERMITTENT AIR LOSS AND WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER BECAUSE THE DEALER BELIEVED THEY WERE DAMAGED DURING INSTALLATION. THE SECOND SET OF REAR TIRES ALSO EXHIBITED INTERMITTENT AIR LOSS. THE DEALER BELIEVED THE WHEELS WERE DAMAGED AND CAUSING THE AIR LOSS. I HAD A WHEEL SPECIALIST INSPECT THE WHEELS, AND THEY FOUND NO DEFECTS TO CAUSE AIR LOSS. THE WHEEL SPECIALIST FOUND THE TIRES TO BE DEFECTIVE AS THEY HAVE EXCESS MATERIAL AT THE BEAD THAT PREVENTS PROPER SEALING ON THE RIM. THE WHEEL SPECIALIST ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE EXCESS MATERIAL FROM ONE TIRE TO DETERMINE IF THAT WOULD IMPROVE THE PROBLEM, WHICH IT DID TO SOME EXTENT. I CALLED PIRELLI AND NOTIFIED THEM OF THE PROBLEM, AND THEY STATED THEY WOULD REPLACE ONE REAR TIRE UNDER WARRANTY BUT NOT THE TIRE THAT WAS WORKED UPON BY THE WHEEL SPECIALIST. IN SUMMARY, I EXPERIENCED TWO SETS OF DEFECTIVE PIRELLI P ZERO TIRES LEADING ME TO BELIEVE THERE COULD BE A PROBLEM WITH ADDITIONAL TIRES. I HAVE VIDEO EVIDENCE OF THE LEAKS SEEN DURING A LEAK TEST.
- NHTSA ID
- 11150245
- Incident
- Apr 26, 2018
- Mileage
- 60,000 mi
I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD TODAY IN MY 2011 335I XDRIVE AND MY SUNROOF EXPLODED! NO ROCK HIT ME, IT WAS LIKE A SHOTGUN WENT OFF INSIDE MY CAR, I'M RETIRED MILITARY, A VETERANS OF ALL THE WARS/CONFLICTS FROM 89-2009 HAD MORTARS FLYING OVER MY HEAD AND PATRIOT BATTERYS TAKING OUT SCUDS OVERHEAD. IT'S A GOOD THING I DON'T HAVE PTSD, BECAUSE I COULD HAVE CAUSED A HUGE ACCIDENT AT 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE! GLASS PIECES EVERYWHERE, IN MY LAP, MOUTH AND IN THE CAR. THERE ARE TWO PARALLEL LINES OF MISSING GLASS, I HAVE TAPED ALL OF IT SO IT DOESN'T FALL DOWN. I CALLED BMW IF MURRAY UTAH, THEY SAID THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS AND MY WARRANTY IS PAST THEY SAID NO RECALL IS OUT FOR THIS.
- NHTSA ID
- 11143072
- Incident
- Oct 26, 2018
- Mileage
- 76,468 mi
PERTAINING TO NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 17V676 THAT WAS ISSUED IN OCTOBER OF 2017, I CALLED BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE IN DECEMBER TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE STATUS OF THE RECALL BUT WAS TOLD TO CONTINUE CHECKING ITS WEBSITE FOR STATUS AND THE REP COULD NOT PROVIDE A TIMEFRAME AS TO WHEN I CAN BRING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. WE ARE NOW AT THE END OF JANUARY, MORE THAN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE RECALL WAS ISSUED AND STILL NO ETA AS TO WHEN A FIX WILL BE AVAILABLE. WHEN THERE'S A SAFETY RISK INVOLVED, I'M NOT SURE WHY THERE WAS NOT AN URGENCY BEING PLACED ON THIS RECALL FROM BMW.
- NHTSA ID
- 11066007
- Incident
- Jan 31, 2018
TAKATA RECALL I HAVE CONTACTED TWO BMW RETAILERS IN MY AREA ASKING TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE MY AIRBAGS REPLACED AND BOTH RESPONSES WERE "WE DON'T HAVE THE PART BUT WILL ORDER IT AND CALL YOU BACK WHEN READY TO SCHEDULE THE REPLACEMENT". I HAVEN'T HEARD BACK FROM EITHER AND I CONTACTED BMW MOUNTAIN VIEW OVER 9 MONTHS AGO AND BMW PETER PAN OVER 4 MONTHS AGO. I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF ME AND MY FAMILY SINCE THERE IS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THE AIRBAG THAT COULD BE DEPLOYED IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. I HOPE THIS NEVER HAPPENS BUT THE FACT THERE IS A KNOWN THREAT IN MY CAR WHICH COULD BE LIFE THREATENING AT ANY MOMENT AND THERE IS NO URGENCY TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE FROM BMW OR THE AIRBAG MANUFACTURER IS VERY DISAPPOINTING.
- NHTSA ID
- 11053642
- Incident
- Jun 8, 2017
BLOWER MOTOR SYSTEM CONNECTORS RECALL. RECALL INCOMPLETE REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE.
- NHTSA ID
- 11048176
- Incident
- Nov 2, 2017
TAKATA RECALL WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHATS GOING WITH THIS RECALL. ITS BEEN OVER A YEAR AND STILL THIS ISSUE HASENT GOT REAOLVE.
- NHTSA ID
- 11015090
- Incident
- Aug 14, 2017
FEB 05,2016 MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBERNA NHTSA RECALL NUMBER16V071 RECALL STATUS: RECALL INCOMPLETE DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG: DURING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IN AN ACCIDENT, THE DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG MODULE MAY PRODUCE EXCESSIVE INTERNAL PRESSURE THAT COULD CAUSE THE INFLATOR TO RUPTURE. EVEN THOUGH RECALL BEGUN A YEAR AND HALF AGO, WE STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED OUR FINAL NOTIFICATION LETTER YET FROM BMW. EVERYDAY DRIVING THIS VEHICLE, DRIVER IS AT RISK.
- NHTSA ID
- 11011253
- Incident
- Feb 5, 2016
WARNING LIGHT "ENGINE MALFUNCTION"" ENGINE OPERATING AT REDUCED OUTPUT "HAPPENS RANDOMLY AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS , APPARENTLY DUE TO A KNOWN BMW ISSUE WITH THE FUEL PUMP ON VARIOUS MODELS
- NHTSA ID
- 10967583
- Incident
- Mar 19, 2017
- Mileage
- 97,106 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle âÂÂdischarged batteryâ complaints.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The engine?s intake charge-air duct limited warranty extension to 10 years/120,000 miles applies to ?eligible USspecification
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH
BMW: ON SOME VEHICLES, WHEN STARTING, LOW BEAM, WITH 0552 OPTION, WOULD BRIEFLY FLASHES, DUE TO A FAULTY LED MAIN LIGHT MODULE THAT NEEDS REPLACING. MODEL 2008-14 F01, F02, F06, F07, F10, F12, F13, F25. *PE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
BMW: DIFFERENT FAULT CODES STORED FOR THE N51, N52K, N52T, AND N55 ENGINES IN THE DME RELATED TO VANOS AND CAMSHAFT POSITION. *KB UPDATED 11/1/13. *PE UPDATED 05/05/2014 *JS
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.