RoadVitals

2011 BMW 335XI

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
23
Latest Jun 15, 2019
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Jul 3, 2024
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 23 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 BMW 335XI, most frequently naming the airbags, fuel system and brakes categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags518.5%
  • Fuel system414.8%
  • Brakes311.1%
  • Other / unspecified311.1%
  • Engine27.4%
  • Driver assistance27.4%
  • Electrical27.4%
  • Powertrain (other)27.4%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns 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.gov
24V513000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jul 3, 2024
394,029 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
20V017000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jan 15, 2020
59,965 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
17V676000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Oct 25, 2017
702,965 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
The 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.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 23
Fuel system
Filed Jun 15, 2019

THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILS WITHOUT WARNING. THE FUEL PUMP ON PREVIOUS N54 ENGINE WERE RECALLED. THE FUEL PUMP WAS NOT CHANGED FOR THE NEWER N55 ENGINE AND THEY ARE CONTINUING TO FAIL.

NHTSA ID
11220278
Incident
Jun 5, 2018
Mileage
75,000 mi
Filed Mar 18, 2019
Fire reported

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR WHEN THE ENGINE SOUNDED SOMETHING SIMILAR TO IS IF I HAD A MISFIRE. I STARTED SLOWING DOWN BY THE TIME I GOT TO ABOUT 5 MILES AN HOUR SMOKE STARTED COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. OPEN THE HOOD AND THERE WAS A FIRE BETWEEN THE BACK OF THE ENGINE IN THE FIREWALL. WITHIN 15 MINUTES THE CAR COMPLETELY BURNED DOWN. IT IS UNKNOWN WHAT CAUSED THIS SO FAR.

NHTSA ID
11189763
Incident
Mar 16, 2019
Mileage
70,000 mi
Fuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 27, 2018

I TOOK MY CAR INTO BMW FOR 2 RECALLS AFTER WAITING 2 MONTHS FOR THE PARTS AFTER 6 HRS HAD PASSED THEY CLAIMED TO HAVE THE WRONG PARTS ,WHEN I WENT TO PICK UP MY CAR IT HAD NO POWER I COULDN'T DRIVE IT HOME .I PAID $147 FOR DIAGNOSTIC THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE COMPLIMENTARY AND A REPAIR BILL OF $3,478.25 APRIL 20 20018 . LAST YEAR I HAD TO REPLACE THE AXLE DO IT NOT TWISTING LIKE A WASH RAG

NHTSA ID
11090442
Incident
Apr 20, 2018
Electrical
Filed Apr 5, 2018
Fire reported

CAR WAS PARKED SEVERAL HOURS AFTER DRIVING IT. NOTICED DISCOLORATION ON WINDOWS. SMOKE IN INTERIOR, FIRE BURNED DASHBOARD, BLOWER MOTOR FELL OUT. NOTE: I FOUND AN EXISTING RECALL, 17V676, OCTOBER 2017, BUT NO RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED.

NHTSA ID
11083362
Incident
Apr 5, 2018
Mileage
110,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 4, 2018

OCTOBER 25, 2017 | RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 17V-676 BLOWER MOTOR WIRING TO DATE THERE IS STILL NO REMEDY FOR THIS RECALL ISSUED 5 MONTHS AGO. I'M NOT SURE WHAT CONSTITUTES A 'REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME' FOR A RECALL LIKE THIS BUT IT SEEMS LIKE IT HAS BEEN A WHILE, ESPECIALLY FOR A RECALL THAT COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE..

NHTSA ID
11083211
Incident
Apr 4, 2018
Mileage
135,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 2, 2017

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 335XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED (SCHOMP BMW, HIGHLANDS RANCH, CO, 303-730-1300) AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
11042608
Incident
Feb 16, 2016
Airbags
Filed Aug 19, 2017

TAKATA RECALL, AUTOMOBILE HASN'T BEEN REPAIRED.

NHTSA ID
11016289
Incident
Feb 5, 2016
Airbags
Filed May 18, 2017

DRIVER'S FRONT AIRBAG RECALL # 16V071 MANUFACTURERS STILL DO NOT HAVE PARTS OR A SOLUTION TO REMEDY THIS ISSUE ACCORDING TO BMW DEALERSHIPS BMW HOUSTON NORTH AND BMW THE WOODLANDS.

NHTSA ID
10986323
Incident
May 18, 2017

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

B510819

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

B611305

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 “discharged battery” complaints.

SIM010717

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The engine?s intake charge-air duct limited warranty extension to 10 years/120,000 miles applies to ?eligible USspecification

SIB-63-11-14

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

SIB-12-14-12

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

BMW 335XI by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2016001—
2015211—
2014721—
2013911—
2012210—
2011Viewing233049.7
2010113040.5
2009183050.2
2008613049.3
2007204056.6
2006030—
2005003—

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.