YearToAvoid

2011 BMW 328i Structure & Body Problems

NHTSA lists 24 Structure & Body complaints for the 2011 BMW 328i, 4% of its 577 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 50,000 miles. No related recalls are tied to this component. Issues include door latches, electrical faults, and fires.

Structure & Body complaints
24
4% of 577
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
3
Median mileage
50,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical body and structure symptoms owners report

  • Driver's door has unexpectedly popped open while driving on highways at speeds up to 50 mph, with no warning alarm.
  • Some vehicles caught fire without warning, in one case starting from smoke near the dash and hood while parked or idling, and in another while driving at night.
  • Owners report electrical system failures affecting power locks, sometimes returning after dealer service.
  • Passenger seat occupancy sensor and wiring failures have triggered airbag and seatbelt warning lights, disabling passenger restraint systems.
  • The moonroof has shattered spontaneously while driving at moderate speed with no visible impact.
  • Front seat positioning problems were reported to cause back and shoulder discomfort.

When 2011 BMW 328i body and structure complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 9, 2012, latest Oct 20, 2025.

2011 BMW 328i structure & body complaints: complaints filed per month1Mar 2012Jun 2013Nov 2017Nov 2018Dec 2019Jan 2022Jun 2022Nov 2023
24 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2012 to Oct 2025; peak Mar 2012 (1).

Structure & Body recalls for the 2011 BMW 328i

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Structure & Body complaints by 328i model year

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

  1. 20105 (3%)
  2. 201124 (4%)
  3. 20129 (7%)
  4. 201313 (5%)
  5. 20148 (5%)
  6. 20152 (2%)
  7. 20162 (4%)

Frequently asked questions

How many Structure & Body complaints does the 2011 BMW 328i have?
NHTSA lists 24 Structure & Body complaints for the 2011 BMW 328i, which is 4% of the 577 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2011 BMW 328i's body or structure issues?
No related recalls are listed for this component in NHTSA data.
At what mileage do structure and body problems typically appear on the 2011 328i?
The median mileage at failure for Structure & Body complaints is 50,000 miles.
Did the 2011 BMW 328i have any fires linked to this component?
Yes, NHTSA data shows 3 fires and 2 crashes reported among the Structure & Body complaints for this model year.
How does the 2011 328i compare to other years for this problem area?
The 2011 model year has the highest raw complaint count (24) among the years listed from 2010 to 2016, though 2012 has a higher share percent at 7%.

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.