2011 BMW 328XI Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 7 328XI years
The 2011 BMW 328XI ranks worst of 7 model years for owner complaints, with a Complaint Index of 100 and 67 complaints, mostly Engine (55%) and Electrical System (27%). NHTSA lists 3 recalls, including airbags and wiring/electrical connectors.
- Complaints
- 67
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 6 / 5
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2011 BMW 328XI problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Brake pedal reportedly went to the floor during reverse parking, causing the car to lunge and crash into a garage wall.
- Vehicle reportedly accelerated on its own at low speed and crashed into stairs or another vehicle without brake response.
- Frontal airbags reportedly failed to deploy in a 40 mph collision, resulting in extensive front-end damage.
- Blower motor and wiring harness reportedly overheated and melted behind the dashboard, in some cases sparking a fire and burning smell inside the cabin.
- Airbag reportedly deployed in a low-speed collision and caused wrist injuries with profuse bleeding.
- Owners reported a burning odor from the engine area traced to a failed valve gasket found during routine oil changes.
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 a bad year?
- Among 7 model years of the 328XI with data, 2011 ranks worst, with a Complaint Index of 100 and a verdict of Avoid relative to other years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 BMW 328XI?
- NHTSA complaints are concentrated in the Engine (37 complaints, 55% share, median mileage 77,000) and Electrical System (18 complaints, 27% share, median mileage 83,479), followed by Airbags (12 complaints, 18% share).
- Does the 2011 BMW 328XI have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2011 328XI: two airbag recalls and one covering wiring and electrical connectors. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does 2011 compare to other 328XI model years?
- The 2011 model year has a Complaint Index of 100, higher than 2010 (33, Good), 2013 (83, Avoid), 2014 (67, Caution), 2015 (50, Caution), and 2016 (17).
- Were there any fires reported in the 2011 BMW 328XI?
- NHTSA complaints include 5 fires for the 2011 328XI, most tied to the Electrical System, including blower motor and wiring harness overheating.