How common are engine problems in the 2011 BMW 328i?

NHTSA lists 370 engine complaints out of 577 total complaints for the 2011 328i, or 64% of all complaints filed for this model year.

Is there a recall for the 2011 BMW 328i engine?

Yes. NHTSA lists recall 17V683000 covering PCV valve heater replacement and recall 14V176000 covering VANOS housing bolt replacement, both affecting the engine.

At what mileage do 2011 328i engine problems typically appear?

The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for engine-area complaints is 100,500 miles.

Did the 2011 BMW 328i engine issues cause fires?

NHTSA data for this model year records 17 fire incidents and 3 crashes, with 3 injuries reported, many tied to smoke or fire originating in the engine compartment.

2011 BMW 328i Engine Problems

Engine complaints make up 370 of 577 total complaints (64%) filed on the 2011 BMW 328i, the highest share of any model year in this range. NHTSA lists two related engine recalls, and the median mileage at failure is 100,500 miles.

Engine complaints: 370; 64% of 577
Crashes reported: 3
Fires reported: 17
Injuries reported: 3
Median mileage: 100,500 mi
Related recalls: 2

Typical engine symptoms owners report

Engine compartment fires with smoke or burning odor entering the cabin, sometimes while driving at highway speed.
Underhood smoke and burning plastic smell traced to the PCV valve heater area covered by recall 17V683000.
Owners report engine gaskets replaced or oil flushed after burning odor complaints, with the smoke returning afterward.
Some vehicles hesitate or sputter on acceleration before smoke appears inside the cabin.
Several owners say replacement parts for the recall repair were unavailable at dealers for extended periods.
One report describes a fuel pump defect leading to an engine compartment fire that spread into the cabin.

When 2011 BMW 328i engine complaints were filed

First complaint Oct 6, 2011, latest Sep 9, 2026.

370 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2011 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2024 Q2 (45).

Engine recalls for the 2011 BMW 328i

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 328i model year

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

201086 (55%)
2011370 (64%)
201275 (58%)
2013137 (53%)
201463 (42%)
201565 (52%)
201630 (53%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems in the 2011 BMW 328i?: NHTSA lists 370 engine complaints out of 577 total complaints for the 2011 328i, or 64% of all complaints filed for this model year.
Is there a recall for the 2011 BMW 328i engine?: Yes. NHTSA lists recall 17V683000 covering PCV valve heater replacement and recall 14V176000 covering VANOS housing bolt replacement, both affecting the engine.
At what mileage do 2011 328i engine problems typically appear?: The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for engine-area complaints is 100,500 miles.
Did the 2011 BMW 328i engine issues cause fires?: NHTSA data for this model year records 17 fire incidents and 3 crashes, with 3 injuries reported, many tied to smoke or fire originating in the engine compartment.