2011 BMW 335i Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2011 BMW 335i has 98 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 70, and 7 recalls, ranking 4th worst of 11 model years and earning a Caution verdict. Engine problems (37% of complaints) and airbags (33%) lead the list.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 70/100
- #4 of 11 335i years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 98
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 7
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21.5
- 19 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2011 BMW 335i problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine36 (37%)
- Airbags32 (33%)
- Electrical System17 (17%)
- Fuel System12 (12%)
- Other8 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (4%)
- Brakes3 (3%)
- Seat Belts3 (3%)
- Steering3 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Front suspension tension struts can fail, letting the wheel and tire strike the wheel well and causing violent shaking, especially when braking.
- Engine power can cut out momentarily during hard acceleration from a stop before the car continues on.
- Driving through several inches of water has caused hydro lock and engine stalling, in one case requiring engine replacement at 7,400 miles.
- Brakes report locking up along with rotor grinding and grooving that dealers replaced multiple times without resolving.
- Power steering has seized suddenly at low speed, in one case leading to the vehicle striking a curb.
- A reduced engine power warning has appeared on the navigation screen, linked to a fuel pump issue similar to earlier model years.
2011 BMW 335i recalls
7 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 BMW 335i fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 21.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,725
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2011 compared with other 335i years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 BMW 335i reliable?
- NHTSA lists 98 complaints for the 2011 335i with a complaint index of 70, ranking it 4th worst among 11 model years covered, so it carries a Caution verdict relative to other 335i years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 BMW 335i?
- Engine issues make up 37% of complaints and airbags make up 33%, followed by electrical system problems at 17% and fuel system issues at 12%.
- Does the 2011 BMW 335i have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 2011 335i covering airbags, electrical wiring and connectors, transmission driveshaft bolts and CV joints, and engine VANOS bolts.
- At what mileage do 2011 335i problems typically show up?
- Median mileage at failure varies by system: engine problems at 48,100 miles, airbags at 50,000 miles, fuel system at 50,200 miles, and electrical system issues later at 65,000 miles.
- How does the 2011 335i compare to other 335i years?
- The 2011 335i's complaint index of 70 is worse than 2010 (60), 2012 (30), 2013 (50), 2014 (40), and 2015 (20), but better than 2007 (100), 2008 (90), and 2009 (80).