Model year

2011 BMW 335XI

Sedan, gasoline, AWD/All-Wheel Drive, built in Germany. Owner complaints on file from Oct 19, 2011 to Jun 15, 2019.

Recall campaigns covering this model year31.16M vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints23Close to the median 2011 sedan
Severity index13.02011 sedans average 7.9
First 24 months2Complaints in its first two years
Complaints over time

Complaints about the 2011 BMW 335XI peaked in 2017, with 5 filed

Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.

0246201120132015201752019202120232026
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Components

22% of complaints about the 2011 BMW 335XI name airbags

Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.

Airbags
5
Fuel system
4
Brakes
3
Wheels
3
Electrical system
2
Engine and cooling
2
Powertrain
2
Speed control
2
Seats
1
Steering
1
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls

3 recall campaigns cover the 2011 BMW 335XI

Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.

Recall campaigns for the 2011 BMW 335XI
CampaignFiledSubjectComponentVehiclesRemedy
24V-513Jul 3, 2024Original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deploymentAirbags394,029Part replacement
20V-017Jan 15, 2020These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and…Airbags59,965Part replacement
17V-676Oct 25, 2017Wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheatElectrical system702,965Part replacement
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints

What owners reported about the 2011 BMW 335XI

The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.

23 complaints on file, page 1 of 2.

  1. Filed Jun 15, 2019Failure Jun 5, 201875,000 milesParkville, MDFuel/propulsion system

    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 complaint 11220278
  2. Filed Mar 18, 2019Failure Mar 16, 201970,000 milesNeedham, MAUnknown or otherFire

    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 complaint 11189763
  3. Filed Apr 27, 2018Failure Apr 20, 2018Poughkeepsie, NYFuel/propulsion system, Power train

    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 complaint 11090442
  4. Filed Apr 5, 2018Failure Apr 5, 2018110,000 milesRobesonia, PAElectrical systemFire

    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 complaint 11083362
  5. Filed Apr 4, 2018Failure Apr 4, 2018135,000 milesMarysville, OHElectrical system

    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 complaint 11083211
  6. Filed Nov 2, 2017Failure Feb 16, 2016Castle Pines, COAir bags

    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 complaint 11042608
  7. Filed Aug 19, 2017Failure Feb 5, 2016Haslett, MIAir bags

    TAKATA RECALL, AUTOMOBILE HASN'T BEEN REPAIRED.

    NHTSA complaint 11016289
  8. Filed May 18, 2017Failure May 18, 2017Houston, TXAir bags

    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 complaint 10986323
  9. Filed Mar 27, 2017Failure Mar 27, 201738,000 milesKamloops BC Canada, WAUnknown or other

    DRIVING AT 90KM HR ON FLAT STRAIGHT GOOD HWY, SUNROOF FOR NO REASON EXPLODES. NOISE IS LOUD ENOUGH TO GIVE ME TINNITUS, GLASS SHATTERS EVERYWHERE. CAUSING ME TO DO AN EMERGENCY PULL OVER. EVIDENCE SHOWS CLEARLY THE EXPLOSION WAS OUTWARD WITH REMAINING GLASS BENT UPWARDS AND SHARDS ALL DOWN THE BACK OF THE CAR DAMAGING THE REAR PAINT. SHARDS COVERING DRIVER, PASSENGERS AND BACK SEAT. SUNROOF WAS CLOSED AND HAD NOT BEEN OPEN FOR 2 MONTHS AND LINER SHADE WAS BACK.

    NHTSA complaint 10968848
  10. Filed Jan 14, 2017Failure Jan 13, 201752,000 milesProspect, KYAir bags

    I PURCHASED MY CAR WITH THE CONFIDENCE THAT I WAS PURCHASING A SUPERIOR PRODUCT TO MY DISAPPOINTMENT WHEN I WENT TO SALE THIS VEHICLE I WAS GIVEN LESS FOR THE SALE OF MY CAR DUE TO THIS RECALL I COULD NOT GET THE AIRBAG REPLACED SO I WAS GIVEN LESS FOR MY CAR DUE TO THIS RECALL MY DAMAGES ARE $3000.00 I WOULD LIKE THIS DIFFERENCE REFUNDED BACK TO ME. THIS IS NOT MY FAULT THIS IS SOLELY THE FAULT OF THE INFERIOR PRODUCT I HAVE NOT CONTACTED AN ATTORNEY AS OF YET BUT IF I AM NOT MADE WHOLE THEN I WILL HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO CONTACT AN ATTORNEY DUE TO MY LOSS. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10945233
  11. Filed Jul 4, 2016Failure Jun 23, 2016Uniondale, NYAir bags

    TAKATA RECALL-RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 16V-071: DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG MODULE I WAS RECENTLY SOLD A VEHICLE THAT HAS THIS RECALLED PART AND WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL UNTIL THE DAY I WENT TO PICK UP MY VEHICLE. I WAS THEN TOLD I COULDNT TAKE THE CAR HOME AND ALSO I WAS NOT PROVIDED A LOANER VEHICLE WHICH BY WHAT I READ ON THE BMW USA WEBSITE SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE AVAILABLE TO ME. ALSO AFTER DOING RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THAT THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NOT EVEN HAVE BEEN MADE AVAILABLE FOR SALE.

    NHTSA complaint 10882403
  12. Filed Apr 10, 2016Failure Jan 1, 2016Kings Park, NYSeats1 injured

    WHEN USING THE HEATED SEATS. DRIVERS SIDE WILL GET SO HOT IT BURNS YOUR SKIN. PASSENGER SEAT DOESN'T HEAT UP.

    NHTSA complaint 10854677
  13. Filed Mar 24, 2016Failure Jan 2, 201312,000 milesTroy, MIService brakes

    SOMETIMES "DEPEND ON THE SPEED" WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATE FIRST SEVERAL SECONDS AND THEN SLOW DOWN.

    NHTSA complaint 10851461
  14. Filed Nov 25, 2015Failure Nov 13, 201537,000 milesBridgewater, NJVehicle speed control

    DRIVING ALONG AND CAR LOST ACCELERATION FOR UNKNOWN REASON. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE. FIRST INCIDENT, THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP IN THE TANK. SECOND INCIDENT, CANNOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE AND I AM REFUSING TO ACCEPT THE CAR AS CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY. INSTRUCTED DEALER TO DRIVE THE CAR.

    NHTSA complaint 10806731
  15. Filed Sep 29, 2015Failure Aug 25, 201586,000 milesDoylestown, PAEngine, Fuel/propulsion system, Service brakes

    IN THE SHORT PERIOD OF TIME I'VE OWNED MY 2011 335XI, I HAVE HAD TO -HAVE THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR RESET TO FACTORY SETTINGS BECAUSE IT KEPT COMING ON EVEN THOUGH MY TIRES WERE FINE. DISCONCERTING AT BEST WHEN YOU'RE A SINGLE WOMAN COMMUTING AT HIGH SPEEDS EVERY DAY ON A TURNPIKE IN TRAFFIC. -CONTINUALLY REPLACE BURNED OUT DAYTIME RUNNING OR REAR BRAKE BULBS -DEAL WITH AN ONGOING SURGE OR LURCHING WHEN I START FROM A STOP, WORSE WHEN THE A/C IS ON, THAT REPAIR SHOPS STILL CAN'T PINPOINT -REPLACE THE FRONT CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS -REPLACE THE WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT (AND WORRY ABOUT POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE FROM THE OVERHEATED ENGINE; CAR HAD TO BE TOWED ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK) -REPLACE THE STARTER -REPLACE THE ENGINE TENSION BELT -I WILL SOON HAVE TO REPLACE LEAKING OIL FILTER HOUSING GASKET -AND I HAVE A PROBABLE RADIATOR LEAK, AS I'M REFILLING COOLANT APPROXIMATELY EVERY 4 WEEKS (TO THE POINT WHERE I KEEP A GALLON OF IT IN MY TRUNK, WITH A FUNNEL, FOR WHEN THE LIGHT COMES ON) TO DATE, IN THE TWO YEARS I'VE OWNED THIS VEHICLE (I BOUGHT IT OFF-LEASE), I'VE ALREADY SPENT ALMOST $5,000 ON WHAT SHOULD BE COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY REPAIRS FOR A HIGH-END VEHICLE.

    NHTSA complaint 10778322
  16. Filed May 23, 2015Failure Feb 20, 201218,900 milesRiverside, RIFuel/propulsion system

    I ORDERED A BRAND NEW 2011 BMW 335I XDRIVE AND IT WAS DELIVERED ON APRIL 19, 2010. THE 2011 MODEL YEAR CAME OUT EARLY. ON FEB 20, 2012 I HAD A DIFFICULT TIME STARTING THE ENGINE AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT...IT WOULD TAKE TOO LONG TO START, CRANKING FOR A LONG TIME. BROUGHT IT TO BMW IN WARWICK RI AND THEY RAN SHORT TESTS AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. ANOTHER TIME I WOULD SMELL A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE AND I WAS NOT BY ANY GAS STATIONS OR OTHER CARS. BROUGHT IT TO THE SAME SERVICE CENTER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. ANOTHER TIME MY CAR STALLED OUT UNEXPECTEDLY, BUT WAS ABLE TO START IT AGAIN. THIS WEEK ON MAY 21ST 2015 DROPPED THE CAR OFF TO HAVE ANOTHER TIRE REPLACED BECAUSE I HIT A POTHOLE (8 TIRES REPLACED IN 34,500 FILES, 4 REPLACEMENT TIRES DUE TO POTHOLES). I ALSO COMPLAINED ABOUT THE CAR TAKING TOO LONG TO CRANK OVER 1ST TIME IN THE MORNING. THEY KEPT THE CAR OVERNIGHT AND THEIR TECHNICIAN HAD THE SAME STARTING PROBLEM THAT I EXPERIENCED AND THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC. THEY SAID THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND THE FUEL RAIL PRESSURE SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID IT WAS A TWO-PART REPAIR. HE SAID BMW WOULD COVER THE $885 HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP BUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE FUEL RAIL PRESSURE SENSOR WHICH WAS $391. IF THIS TAKES TWO PARTS TO REPAIR, THEN WHY ISN'T BMW PAYING FOR BOTH PARTS? I CALLED BMW HEADQUARTERS IN WOODCLIFF LAKE NJ FOR A RESOLUTION BUT I WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TWO WAIT UP TO 5 BUSINESS DAYS FOR AN ANSWER. I FOUND MANY BMW BLOGS ONLINE COMPLAINING ABOUT HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURES AND REPEATED FAILURES AFTER THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. MY CAR HAS LESS THEN 35,000 MILES ON IT. THE 2011 BMW 335I XDRIVE WITH THE N55 ENGINE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE PREVIOUS RECALL SINCE THEY USE THE SAME HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AS PREVIOUS YEAR MODELS THAT WERE RECALLED AND BMW SHOULD PAY FOR THE FULL REPAIR

    NHTSA complaint 10721147
  17. Filed Sep 8, 2014Failure Jul 12, 2014Long Beach, NYSun/moon roof assembly

    2011 BMW 335XI. CONSUMER WRITES INN REGARDS TO SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SUNROOF SHADE WAS CLOSED PREVENTING SHARDS FROM FLOODING INTO THE VEHICLE. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10630802
  18. Filed Jul 14, 2014Failure Jul 14, 201435,000 milesHuntingdon Valley, PAWheels

    CRACKED WHEEL RIM- WITH NO PRECEDING INCIDENT HITTING A LARGE POTHOLE, ETC. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10610341
  19. Filed Jun 8, 2014Failure Sep 28, 20115,000 milesSAN Francisco, CAPower train

    MANUAL TRANSMISSION. 2ND GEAR SYNCHRONIZER (SYNCHRO) FAILED @ 5000 MILES. UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR SAFELY. PROBLEM/FAILURE BECOME MORE PROMINENT @ 18,000 MILES. BMW OF SAN FRANCISCO VOIDED WARRANTY RETROACTIVELY FOR USING AFTERMARKET PARTS @ 16K MILES. MANY INDIVIDUALS ON COMPLAINING OF SAME TRANSMISSION ISSUE. (1ST TO 2ND GRIND). PROBLEM NOT RESOLVED. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10596966
  20. Filed Apr 29, 2013Failure Dec 8, 20106,855 milesRiverside, RISuspension, Wheels

    I BOUGHT MY BMW 335I XDRIVE BRAND NEW...ORDERED IN JAN 2010 AND DELIVERED ON APRIL 19, 2010. SINCE I'VE HAD THE CAR, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES (WITHIN 20,000 MILES) BECAUSE OF POTHOLE DAMAGE TO THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE. ALSO, THE CAR REQUIRED REALIGNMENT. IN AUGUST 2012, I HAD ABOUT 22,000 MILES ON MY CAR AND HAD TO REPLACE ALL OF MY TIRES ( EXCEPT THE PASSENGER SIDE LEFT FRONT, SINCE THAT WAS THE TIRE THAT WAS ALREADY REPLACED 3 TIMES PRIOR TO HAVING 22,000 MILES ON MY CAR) BECAUSE THEY WERE WORN OUT. THE BRIDGESTONE RUN-FLATS ARE EXPENSIVE FOR MY BMW. THE COST TO REPLACE ONE FRONT TIRE WAS $430. LUCKILY, I HAD PURCHASED THE TIRE WARRANTY WHEN I BOUGHT MY BMW. THE WARRANTY WAS $1,000. I FEEL I AM BEING RIPPED OFF THOUGH. WHY, AFTER SPENDING $60,000 ON A NEW BMW SHOULD I HAVE TO SPEND ALMOST $3,000 ON TIRES IN LESS THAN 3-YEARS OF OWNERSHIP WHICH INCLUDES THE $1,000 FOR TIRE/WHEEL INSURANCE. I HAVE HAD AT LEAST 12 DIFFERENT MAKES AND MODELS OF CARS SINCE I'VE HAD MY LICENSE AND I HAVE NEVER SPENT AS MUCH MONEY ON TIRES FOR ONE CAR AS I HAVE FOR MY BMW. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST BMW AND THE TIRE MANUFACTURES FOR PRODUCING AND SELLING A PRODUCT THAT WAS INTENTIONALLY DESIGNED TO FRAUD THE CONSUMER. THEY KNOWINGLY PRODUCED AND SOLD A TIRE THAT HAD A SHORT LIFE-SPAN, HIGHLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE FROM A TYPICAL POTHOLE, AND EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE. THEY ALSO OFFERED THE MOST EXPENSIVE TIRE WARRANTY IN THE INDUSTRY...THE COST OF THE WARRANTY INDICATES THAT THEY KNEW THESE TIRES WOULD BE REPLACED OFTEN. I WILL ALSO CONTACT THE FTC AND BBB. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10509872
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations

NHTSA has not opened an investigation on this model year

Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins

5 manufacturer communications cover this model year

Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.

  • B510819 Jan 16, 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
  • B611305 Jan 11, 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    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 âdisc…
  • SIM010717 Jun 1, 2017 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    The engine?s intake charge-air duct limited warranty extension to 10 years/120,000 miles applies to ?eligible USspecification
  • SIB-63-11-14 Oct 1, 2014 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    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 Feb 1, 2014 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    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
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.