How common are engine problems on the 2011 BMW 128i?

NHTSA lists 26 engine complaints out of 50 total complaints filed for the 2011 128i, meaning engine issues account for 52% of all complaints on this model year.

Is there an engine recall for the 2011 BMW 128i?

Yes. NHTSA lists three engine-related recalls: campaign 14V176000 for VANOS housing bolts, 17V683000 for the PCV valve heater, and 22V119000, which supersedes and expands the earlier two with a wiring harness repair.

At what mileage do engine problems typically show up?

The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for engine complaints on the 2011 128i is 112,000 miles.

Have any engine failures caused fires?

NHTSA records 3 fires among the engine complaints for the 2011 128i, several linked to the PCV valve heater recall.

How does the 2011 128i compare to other years for engine complaints?

The 2011 128i has 26 engine complaints (52% share), higher than 2010 (10 complaints, 45% share), 2012 (7 complaints, 23% share), and 2013 (8 complaints, 22% share).

2011 BMW 128i Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 26 engine complaints for the 2011 BMW 128i, 52% of all 50 complaints filed for the year. Three recalls cover engine-related issues (PCV valve heater, VANOS bolts, and a superseding wiring recall), with a median failure mileage of 112,000 miles and 3 fires reported.

Engine complaints: 26; 52% of 50
Crashes reported: 0
Fires reported: 3
Injuries reported: 0
Median mileage: 112,000 mi
Related recalls: 3

Typical engine symptoms owners report

Smoke or a burning-plastic smell comes from under the hood, sometimes tied to the PCV valve heater recall (22V119000) when repair parts were unavailable.
Owners report the VANOS variable cam timing housing bolts failing, causing a loud knocking noise, shuddering, and stalling during acceleration.
Some vehicles lost motive power or stalled suddenly while driving, with the engine failing to turn over on restart.
Owners report engine loss of power along with a high-pitched whistle and trouble codes pointing to a bad PCV or valve cover.
Several complaints describe delays getting the recall (22V119000) repair completed because replacement parts were not available.

When 2011 BMW 128i engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 12, 2014, latest Mar 19, 2025.

26 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2014 to Mar 2025; peak Jan 2024 (2).

Engine recalls for the 2011 BMW 128i

NHTSA 22V119000Mar 2, 2022Engine917,106 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:crankcase (pcv)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Risk: An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
Remedy: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA 17V683000Oct 30, 2017Engine740,561 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:crankcase (pcv)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Risk: An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA 14V176000Apr 10, 2014Engine156,137 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i Convertible, 528i Sedan, 535i Sedan, 535i xDrive Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, and X3 xDrive 35i, 2010 X3 xDrive 30i, and X5 xDrive 30i, 2012 640i Coupe, and 640i Convertible and 2010-2012 535i Gran Turismo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break.
Risk: If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. The recall began on September 24, 2014. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.

Engine complaints by 128i model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

201010 (45%)
201126 (52%)
20127 (23%)
20138 (22%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems on the 2011 BMW 128i?: NHTSA lists 26 engine complaints out of 50 total complaints filed for the 2011 128i, meaning engine issues account for 52% of all complaints on this model year.
Is there an engine recall for the 2011 BMW 128i?: Yes. NHTSA lists three engine-related recalls: campaign 14V176000 for VANOS housing bolts, 17V683000 for the PCV valve heater, and 22V119000, which supersedes and expands the earlier two with a wiring harness repair.
At what mileage do engine problems typically show up?: The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for engine complaints on the 2011 128i is 112,000 miles.
Have any engine failures caused fires?: NHTSA records 3 fires among the engine complaints for the 2011 128i, several linked to the PCV valve heater recall.
How does the 2011 128i compare to other years for engine complaints?: The 2011 128i has 26 engine complaints (52% share), higher than 2010 (10 complaints, 45% share), 2012 (7 complaints, 23% share), and 2013 (8 complaints, 22% share).