2011 BMW 335I

98 complaints on file, page 1 of 5.

1. Filed Sep 23, 2026Failure Sep 23, 2026130,000 milesDover-Foxcroft, MEEngine and engine cooling

   The contact owns a 2011 BMW 335I. While driving 50 MPH, the vehicle lost power. The check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode before shutting off. The vehicle was towed back to the residence. The contact connected a diagnostic scanner, which indicated an inability to read or establish engine timing. The engine cranked and turned over for 10 seconds but shut off immediately afterwards. The contact believed that the issue was related to a timing failure. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11766473
2. Filed Nov 18, 2025Failure Sep 5, 2025El Paso, TXFuel/propulsion system

   Fuel sending unit has broken and began to expel fuel out upwards within the rear bottom of the back seat were the sending unit is located. The plastic that ensembles the gas sending unit itself cracks over a certain period amount of time and causes gasoline to spray in that area. Gas has began to accumulate outside the gas tank right above the sending unit part, which causes harmful and incredibly strong gasoline odor inside the car and outside the car, predominantly on the back seat of the driver area. Very dangerous for even a small amount of fire to be near it. The problem cause a harmful and overwhelming amount of dangerous gasoline fumes to tolerate breathing near that area or the car itself.

   NHTSA complaint 11700227
3. Filed Apr 2, 2025Failure Apr 1, 2025200,000 milesSchenectady, NYEngine and engine cooling

   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 complaint 11652309
4. Filed Mar 20, 2025Failure Mar 20, 2025Québec, FLUnknown or other

   hard to explain. looks like my NIV is ''bad''. There are 11 recalls on BMW 335xi Sedan 2011 and mine has 0 (same car, BUT special limited edition). For now, BMW is of no help at all, they follow their procedure which do not include my NIV in any way $$$. What to do next?

   NHTSA complaint 11649455
5. Filed Feb 20, 2025Failure Sep 21, 2024Bryan, TXElectrical system, Exterior lighting, Unknown or otherFire

   Wiring harness in the engine compartment caught fire about 2 weeks after changing a water pump, battery kept being draining even after battery replacement. Locking of the trunk trunk forced usage of a BMW authorized jump start battery charger/start etc. No access to Battery when the battery is discharged.

   NHTSA complaint 11643883
6. Filed Jan 7, 2025Failure Dec 29, 2024Apple valley, MNEngine

   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 complaint 11634627
7. Filed Oct 22, 2024Failure Aug 2, 2023103,000 milesCincinnati, OHAir bags

   The contact owns a 2011 BMW 335I. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the passenger’s side air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but became persistent whenever the vehicle was started. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact had researched and related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin Number: 10148018 - Front Passenger Air Bag Seat Occupancy Sensor (OC3) Mat (Air Bags). The contact was informed by the dealer and the manufacturer that the vehicle was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11621213
8. Filed Sep 3, 2024Failure May 21, 2022Morgantown, KYPower train

   Transmission failure, while driving 45mph the car automatically downshifted then stopped pulling rolled to a complete stop was able to put into park turn car off then when tried to restart that is when the transmission failure light and notice came on the dash and radio screen. After that the car would not go into any gear or pull in any gear. No warning signs appeared before the incident.

   NHTSA complaint 11612387
9. Filed Jul 1, 2024Failure Jun 27, 2024Dearborn heights, MIEngine

   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 complaint 11598018
10. Filed Jun 26, 2024Failure Jun 5, 202467,000 milesGate City, VAFront passenger

    The contact owns a 2011 BMW 335I. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the front passenger’s side air bag sensor warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed front passenger’s side occupancy sensor. The contact was informed that the front passenger’s side occupancy sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11596878
11. Filed Dec 18, 2023Failure Jun 15, 2023130,000 milesBaltic, CTEngine and engine cooling

    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 complaint 11560781
12. Filed Nov 9, 2023Failure Nov 5, 2023Chadds ford, PAEngine, Power train, Unknown or other

    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 complaint 11554338
13. Filed Aug 15, 2023Failure Aug 3, 2023Summerville, SCElectrical system, Engine

    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 complaint 11538659
14. Filed May 15, 2023Failure May 11, 2023El paso, TXElectrical system

    I have electrical error codes and I cant seem to find what it is not sure if its wiring.

    NHTSA complaint 11522053
15. Filed Aug 12, 2022Failure May 26, 2022Austin, TXEngine

    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 complaint 11478973
16. Filed May 18, 2022Failure Jan 5, 2022Oak Park, CAElectrical system, Engine

    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 complaint 11465143
17. Filed May 14, 2022Failure May 1, 2019Corozal, PRAir bags

    Passenger seat airbag sensor failed at 50,000 miles

    NHTSA complaint 11464654
18. Filed Apr 28, 2022Failure Apr 20, 2022Homer Glen, ILAir bags, Front passenger

    Passenger seat occupancy mat with program.

    NHTSA complaint 11462677
19. Filed Mar 12, 2022Failure Jan 21, 2022Draper, UTEngine

    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 complaint 11456396
20. Filed Dec 5, 2021Failure Dec 5, 2021Redding, CAElectrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Power train

    Loss of power failure, it lights up several times when turning corners and then accelerating.

    NHTSA complaint 11442737