YearToAvoid

2011 BMW 328 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 4 328 years

The 2011 BMW 328 ranks worst of 4 model years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 100 and 37 NHTSA complaints. Airbags (35% of complaints) and Electrical System issues (30%, including fires) drive the Avoid verdict, with one recall on file.

Complaints
37
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
2 / 2
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2011 BMW 328 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags13 (35%)
  2. Electrical System11 (30%)
  3. Engine5 (14%)
  4. Other5 (14%)
  5. Seat Belts4 (11%)
  6. Structure & Body3 (8%)
  7. Brakes2 (5%)
  8. Fuel System2 (5%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (5%)
  10. Transmission & Powertrain2 (5%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the vehicle surging forward on its own while idling at a stop, in one case causing a crash into a pillar.
  • Electrical system complaints describe flames shooting from under the hood or dashboard shortly after driving, in some cases requiring the fire department.
  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during a crash after the car hydroplaned and spun off the road.
  • Front seat rails were reported to project into the rear footwell when the driver's seat was adjusted, creating a hazard for rear passengers.
  • Some owners report the vehicle stalling at low speed, in one case traced to a cracked fuel line and in another linked to an electrical ribbon replaced under recall.
  • Owners describe difficulty distinguishing the gear shifter positions for first gear and reverse, leading to accidental gear selection.
2011 BMW 328 complaints: complaints filed per month4Apr 2011Apr 2013Apr 2016Dec 2016Jul 2017Feb 2018Aug 2018Feb 2019
50 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2011 to Mar 2019; peak Dec 2018 (4).

2011 BMW 328 recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 16V071000Feb 5, 2016Airbags840,000 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

    Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

2011 compared with other 328 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002010201120122013
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010No verdict031—
2011Avoid100371—
2012Good3371—
2013Caution67101—

All BMW 328 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Should I avoid a 2011 BMW 328?
Among the 4 model years with data, 2011 has the highest Complaint Index (100) and ranks worst, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other 328 years.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 BMW 328?
NHTSA data shows Airbags account for 35% of complaints and Electrical System issues account for 30%, including 2 reported fires.
Does the 2011 BMW 328 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2011 328, covering airbag module or inflator replacement; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
At what mileage do 2011 BMW 328 problems typically show up?
Median mileage at failure across all complaints is 68,000, though Airbags issues showed a lower median of 43,958 miles and Electrical System issues showed 76,725 miles.
How does the 2011 328 compare to the 2012 and 2013 model years?
The 2012 328 has a Complaint Index of 33 and a Good verdict, the 2013 has 67 and a Caution verdict, while 2011 has 100 and an Avoid verdict.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.