2011 BMW 328xi Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2011 BMW 328xi has a complaint index of 80, ranking 3rd worst out of 11 model years, and is rated Avoid. Engine complaints make up 55% of reports, with a median failure mileage of 79,000 miles, plus 3 recalls covering airbags and wiring.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 80/100
- #3 of 11 328xi years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 67
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 6
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 5
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Engine
Top 2011 BMW 328xi problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine37 (55%)
- Electrical System18 (27%)
- Airbags12 (18%)
- Fuel System7 (10%)
- Other5 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain4 (6%)
- Structure & Body3 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (3%)
- Brakes1 (1%)
- HVAC1 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine issues include unexplained acceleration or lunging while parking or entering a driveway, sometimes leading to a crash.
- Owners report a burning smell followed by the blower motor and wiring harness overheating or melting, in some cases starting a fire under the dashboard.
- Some drivers experienced the air conditioner and radio shutting off suddenly along with white smoke, tied to the same wiring harness problem.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in some frontal crashes, or deployed unexpectedly at low speed causing injury.
- Brake pedal reportedly went to the floor during a low-speed reverse maneuver, resulting in a crash into a garage wall.
- Engine odor from the exhaust and under the hood was traced to a failed valve gasket in one case.
2011 BMW 328xi recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V513000Jul 3, 2024Airbags394,029 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- NHTSA 20V017000Jan 15, 2020Airbags59,965 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp 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 air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- NHTSA 17V676000Oct 25, 2017Electrical System702,965 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.
Risk: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
2011 compared with other 328xi years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 BMW 328xi reliable?
- Compared to other 328xi model years, 2011 ranks 3rd worst out of 11 years with a complaint index of 80, and NHTSA data puts it in the Avoid category for this model.
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 BMW 328xi?
- Engine problems account for 55% of complaints (37 of 67), followed by electrical system issues at 27% and airbags at 18%. Median mileage at failure for engine complaints is 77,000 miles.
- Does the 2011 BMW 328xi have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for this year: two covering airbags (driver air bag module and driver air bag inflator) and one for wiring and electrical connectors related to the electrical system.
- Did the 2011 BMW 328xi have fires reported?
- NHTSA complaint data shows 5 fire incidents for this year, several tied to the blower motor and wiring harness overheating in the electrical system.
- How does the 2011 328xi compare to other years like 2007 or 2009?
- The 2007 328xi has the highest complaint index at 100 and is also rated Avoid, while 2009 has a much lower complaint index of 30 and is rated Good, showing 2011's problems are worse than several other years.