2011 BMW 335I Engine Problems

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 335I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Loss of Oil Pressure" message displayed, and the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle made an abnormally loud clunking sound. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact used an OBD scanner to retrieve a diagnostic trouble code for the VANOS bolts; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

NHTSA ID

11652309

Incident

Apr 1, 2025

Mileage

200,000 mi

I was in the middle of driving on the freeway and my motor started to get loss in power. Moments later a malfunction engine sign popped up. The codes I was able to pull from the vehicle were pointing towards a recall that already exists for BMW but for some reason my vehicle was not a part of the recall. The recall I am reffering to is 23V707000. It shows that there are 11 open recalls for 2011 335i including the vanos bolt recall. I called the dealer and according to my VIN, the vanos bolt recall is not covered. There are multiple reports online where the dealer is refusing to cover the recall for vehicles within a certain production date. There is clearly a safety issue going on as this has happened to plenty of people. Someone with the same motor as I could get covered for the recall due to the production date and I am in a position where BMW knows that this is an issue but will not cover it.

NHTSA ID

11634627

Incident

Dec 29, 2024

2011 BMW 335i COUPE E92 My vehicle has broken vanos bolts which caused the engine to shut off while driving. This was a terrifying experience in which i was on the freeway doing around 70mph and lost power steering and power brakes. This is a known recall with these vehicles and my vehicle fits the criteria for BMW Recall 23V-707, including year, make, model, production date and engine. My vin does not show up as a recalled vin and the dealer refuses to fix my vehicle for that reason although it is confirmed the vanos bolts have snapped.

NHTSA ID

11598018

Incident

Jun 27, 2024

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 335I. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic for repair, he was informed that the camshaft bolts were damaged and required replacement. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Colling), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11560781

Incident

Jun 15, 2023

Mileage

130,000 mi

I bought a BMW on November 3rd and within 48 hours on the 5th of November at 6:30 the engine seized while the car was driving when I took it to BMW they did a carfax on it, it said the car had 197,000 miles on it and the car was listed with 97,790 miles and the odometer still says 97,000 and the transmission is also slipping because it had 197,000 miles on it and the font headlights won't work.

NHTSA ID

11554338

Incident

Nov 5, 2023

BMW has made their early 2011-13 engines(n55) a defective engine, the problem I’ve been experiencing with these engines is there new engine system called the valvetronic system. If the something in the valtronic system goes bad and most likely does when you listen to bmw recommendation of changing oil every 10,000 it becomes very annoying to fix and can also lead to damaging the car ecu/dme so they built a car that would have problems and would also take out your car ecu which would make costly repairs

NHTSA ID

11538659

Incident

Aug 3, 2023

Without any warning, the vehicle experienced a major engine failure while I was driving at about 70 mph on the highway. The vehicle immediately lost power and went into limp mode, making it impossible to safely maintain speed on a busy highway. Vehicle was towed to the dealership and it was determined that it had experienced a VANOS bolts failure on the intake side. Inspection of the failed VANOS bolts revealed that they were of the old design that BMW had issued a Recall for. Even though the Recall status for the vehicle in regard to the VANOS bolts indicates that it was completed, it appears the wrong components had been used in the repair. I have been informed that BMW has denied my request to have the recall done properly with the proper components.

NHTSA ID

11478973

Incident

May 26, 2022

2011 BMW 335i Sedan: Please attempt to get my car included in the current recall. I have contacted BMW USA and my local dealership. Both said that my car does not qualify for repair. On a weekly basis, the car produces large amounts of smoke from the engine compartment and enters the passenger compartment through the vents. BMW has stated that there is a fire risk for this year, make, and model but will not address it for my car: [XXX] The check engine light turns on while engine smokes. The BMW Dealership will not inspect the car unless it appears on the recall list. In addition, occasionally, the entire electrical system dies preventing all electronics including the starter from working. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11465143

Incident

Jan 5, 2022

I had just parked and about a minute later, there was a huge amount of smoke coming through the front cabin vents and hood. I immediately turned my car off and opened the hood to find more smoke and hearing popping sounds coming from my catalytic converter. The smoke left residue all over my windshield as well as an unpleasant smell lingering in the car. I emailed my local mechanic and he told me this is likely my PCV and not a VCG leak like I thought it was. This problem had scared me from driving my vehicle again because I was worried a fire would start whether I was in the vehicle or not. I took it to my mechanic to get it repaired and was charged $1700 for it. I had no lights or unusual car prior to this happening

NHTSA ID

11456396

Incident

Jan 21, 2022

The Vano Housing System bolts all broke off and fell into the engine causing sudden failure and stopping of the vehicle causing it to need to be towed. Upon some researched I learned that in 2014 BMW of North America issued a recall for 2010-2011 BMW 3 series (N55 Engine) Models for this exact defect except apparently my VIN was not included. However, clearly my vehicle should have been included because it sustained damage and could have caused me harm by sudden stoppage. The car is currently being looked at by BMW of Rockville, MD and BMW is attempting to skirt responsibility

NHTSA ID

11429020

Incident

Aug 6, 2021

WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE WITH APPROXIMATELY 81,000 MILES WHEN THE ROD BEARING BROKE. BMW HAS A RECORD OF ROD BEARING FAILURES AND RECALLS. BMW IS NOT HELPING IN MY CASE AND FROM MY RESEARCH THERE HAS BEEN ROD BEARING FAILURES IN THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL AS MINE. I WAS DRIVING WHEN I HEARD KNOCKING IN THE ENGINE. I PULLED OVER, HAD TO BE TOWED AJD BMW SAID THE ROD BEARING WENT. THEY SAID IT JUST WENT. PLENTY OF OIL IN THE ENGINE SO IT WASN'T THAT. I WAS GOING ABOUT 60 MPH WHEN ALL OF THIS HAPPENED

NHTSA ID

11387757

Incident

Oct 16, 2020

Mileage

81,000 mi

VANOS BOLTS BACKED OUT AFTER RECALL SERVICE REPLACEMENT COMPLETED. VEHICLE WENT INTO SAFE MODE ON THE FREEWAY SUDDENLY.

NHTSA ID

11343105

Incident

Jun 30, 2020

Mileage

129,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 335I. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND SEIZE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO FIELDS BMW SOUTH ORLANDO (LOCATED AT 9750 S ORANGE BLOSSOM TRAIL, ORLANDO, FL 32837, (407) 956-6300) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE ENGINE BLOCK REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V176000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,250.

NHTSA ID

11292030

Incident

Dec 13, 2019

Mileage

78,250 mi

I WAS DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT AT ABOUT 5MPH, AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED ON ITS OWN WHILE I WAS STILL PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. I CONTINUED TO PRESS THE ACCELERATOR, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. AFTER 3 OR 4 MINUTES OF TRYING TO DETERMINE WHAT THE ISSUE WAS, I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE. THE CAR WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE ONCE I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE IN TRAFFIC, IT WOULD HAVE PUT MANY PEOPLE AT RISK. NO ONE WAS HARMED BECAUSE I WAS IN A WALMART PARKING LOT TRAVELING AT 5MPH WHEN THE CAR STALLED, BUT I AM UNSURE WHAT CAUSED THIS TO OCCUR. THIS SITUATION SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC ADMINISTRATION'S RECALL NUMBER 14V176000, AS IT DESCRIBES WHAT I EXPERIENCED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11197165

Incident

Apr 18, 2019

Mileage

87,000 mi

ENGINE SEIZED 10 MILES AFTER OIL FILTER HOUSING GASKET WAS REPLACED. CAR HAS 107K MILES AND HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED. NOW I'M GOING TO HAVE TO SPEND FROM $8K-$10K FOR A NEW ENGINE. NEVER RECEIVED A WARNING LIGHT. FROM WHAT I'VE BEEN READING, THIS IS NOT UNCOMMON AFTER THAT SPECIFIC JOB IS DONE AND THE GASKET STARTS LEAKING AROUND 100K SO IT IS NECESSARY TO ADDRESS.

NHTSA ID

11162866

Incident

Dec 12, 2018

Mileage

107,000 mi

TL* 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 PUMP WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH THE ASA BOLTS. IN REGARDS TO THE VEHICLE STALLING, THE COOLANT PUMP AND THE WATER PUMP WERE REPLACED. FURTHERMORE, THE DEALER FOUND A LEAK IN THE SEAL OF THE RADIATOR AND DIAGNOSED THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS RELATED TO THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.

NHTSA ID

11051248

Incident

Jun 1, 2012

Mileage

50,000 mi

WATER PUMPED FAILED AFTER 40,400 MILES ONLY. THE CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED BY DEALER. THE AGE OF THE CAR IS 5 YEARS AND 6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE. WATER PUMP FAILED DURING IN TOWN DRIVING. SPEED WAS UNDER 30 MILES/HR.

NHTSA ID

11033812

Incident

Oct 13, 2017

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 WAS IN MOTION ON A BUSY CITY STREET. HAD TO PUT ON HAZARDS IN MIDDLE OF STREET.

NHTSA ID

11011256

Incident

Jul 27, 2017

Mileage

45,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 335I COUPE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT USED A DIAGNOSTIC TOOL THAT READ THAT THE VALVETRONIC ACTUATOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 149,000.

NHTSA ID

10967143

Incident

Mar 15, 2017

Mileage

149,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 335I. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE ENGINE COOLANT WAS STILL FULL. THE FAILURES RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COOLANT UNIT AND THE BATTERY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V176000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ID

10865425

Incident

Dec 9, 2015

Mileage

30,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 335-I. COMMENTS: I WAS DRIVING MY ON A LONG UPHILL SECTION WITH PLENTY OF ROOM TO PASS AND I STARTED PASSING TWO CARS WHEN MY ENGINE LOST POWER AND STALLED. THE CARS I WAS PASSING KINDLY STARTED TO SLOW DOWN TO LET ME MOVE PAST THEM, BUT I KEPT SLOWING DOWN AT THE SAME RATE AS THEY WERE, REMAINING SIDE BY SIDE WITH THEM, LEAVING ME NO ROOM TO MOVE BACK TO THE RIGHT AND WITH THE TRUCK COMING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION CLOSER AND CLOSER. EVENTUALLY I FELT I HAD NO CHOICE, AND MANAGED TO GET OFF THE ROAD ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE SO THE TRUCK COULD PASS BETWEEN THE TWO CARS AND MINE. I TRIED TO RESTART MY CAR. IT DID START ALBEIT WITH THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION ? REDUCED POWER LIGHT ON. THE RECURRED THE NEXT DAY I DROVE MY CAR TO BMW OF DARIEN WHICH TOLD ME THAT FOR THE THIRD TIME (TWICE ON MY PREVIOUS 2008 335IS CONVERTIBLE) THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. THEN I RECEIVED RECALL NO. 13V-044: POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM ABOUT A POTENTIAL FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM RESULTING IN ENGINE STALLING, BUT COULD NOT EVER GET AN ANSWER FROM BMW WHETHER THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE STALLS WITH MY CAR WAS REALLY THE FUEL PUMP. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS DANGEROUS ENGINE FAILURE FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS. BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS BEEN COMPLETELY EVASIVE. ONE GENTLEMAN CALLED ME ONCE ON MY CELLPHONE, NOT ON THE PHONE NUMBER I HAD PROVIDED. I CALLED THEM AND WROTE TO THEM MULTIPLE TIMES. I AM HAPPY TO PROVIDE YOU WITH COPIES OF THAT CORRESPONDENCE THAT SEEMS TO INDICATE THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE A RESPONSE! THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR LOOKING INTO THIS. BEST REGARDS.THE CONTACT REQUESTED THE COMPLAINT TO FILED IN THEIR OWN WORDS PULLED FROM AN EMAIL SENT TO NHTSA.

NHTSA ID

10836681

Incident

Aug 11, 2013

Mileage

20,000 mi

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 STOP OR ROLLING TO A STOP. IT ALWAYS STARTS RIGHT BACK UP.

NHTSA ID

10782912

Incident

Feb 3, 2015

Mileage

46,200 mi

WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP INTO TRAFFIC, THE CHARGE PIPE LEADING FROM TURBO TO ENGINE RUPTURED CAUSING A DANGEROUS LOSS OF POWER WHICH RESULTED IN A NEAR COLLISION. BMW USES PLASTIC FOR THE CHARGE PIPE WHICH IS EASILY CRACKED UNDER NORMAL TURBO BOOST LOADS.

NHTSA ID

10726507

Incident

Jun 20, 2015

Mileage

51,000 mi

MY 2011 335I BMW CONVERTIBLE STALLED FOR 2ND TIME WHILE LESS THAN 200 MILES DRIVEN IN BETWEEN. VEHICLE STALLED IN SLOW SPEED WHILE TURNING LEFT IN BOTH CASES. VEHICLE LOST TOTAL POWER IN BOTH CASES. TOOK TO THE BMW MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA DEALERSHIP IN FIRST OCCURRENCE. DEALER CHECKED AND NO FAULT FOUND IN THE SYSTEM. TECHNICIAN DROVE ~60 MILES AND COULDN'T REPRODUCE THE ISSUE. DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THE CAR AS IT STALLS. VEHICLE HAS ONLY ~38K MILES ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10705251

Incident

Apr 12, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE ENGINE WAS RIDING EXTREMELY ROUGH. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V176000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), RECEIVED THE RECALL REPAIR AND WITHIN FOUR MONTHS THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND THE ENGINE WAS MAKING A LOUD NOISE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS IT WAS ABLE TO RESTART WHICH RESET THE COMPUTER. THE CONTACT LATER TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSIS. THE RECALL REMEDY DID NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ID

10691087

Incident

Oct 14, 2014

Mileage

20,000 mi