YearToAvoid

2011 BMW 335xi Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2011 BMW 335xi has a complaint index of 89, the second-worst among 10 model years of this model, and carries 3 recalls covering airbags and wiring. NHTSA lists 23 complaints, led by airbags, engine, and fuel system issues, with a median failure mileage of 37,500 miles.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
89/100
#2 of 10 335xi years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
23
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
3
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
0
reported in complaints
Fires
2
Injuries
1
Top issue
Airbags
Best nearby year
2010
rated Good

Top 2011 BMW 335xi problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags5 (22%)
  2. Engine4 (17%)
  3. Fuel System4 (17%)
  4. Brakes3 (13%)
  5. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (13%)
  6. Electrical System2 (9%)
  7. Other2 (9%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain2 (9%)
  9. Steering1 (4%)
  10. Structure & Body1 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Some owners report the driver airbag module needing inspection or replacement under recall, with one case describing smoke and dashboard fire after a wiring-related recall was never remedied.
  • Engine complaints describe sudden loss of power or acceleration, sometimes with rising RPMs while braking or a complete shutdown accompanied by loss of power steering and reduced braking ability.
  • A manual transmission complaint describes the 2nd gear synchronizer failing early and worsening with more mileage, making it unsafe to shift into 2nd gear.
  • Suspension complaints include cracked or split wheel rims, in one case after hitting a pothole and in another with no impact at all.
  • Brake-related reports describe recurring tire pressure monitor warnings, burned-out brake bulbs, and unexpected acceleration for a few seconds before the vehicle slows when braking.
  • One report describes the sunroof shattering while driving, with shards contained by the closed sunroof shade.
2011 BMW 335xi complaints: complaints filed per month3Oct 2011Apr 2013Sep 2014Nov 2015Jul 2016May 2017Apr 2018
23 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2011 to Jun 2019; peak Apr 2018 (3).

2011 BMW 335xi recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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 335xi years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002006200720082009201020112012201320142015
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2009Avoid78183—
2010Good33113—
2011Avoid89233—
2012No verdict1121—
2013Caution5691—

All BMW 335xi years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2011 BMW 335xi reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011 335xi ranks 2nd worst out of 10 model years, with a complaint index of 89 and an Avoid verdict relative to other 335xi years.
What are the main problems with the 2011 BMW 335xi?
NHTSA data shows airbags as the top problem area (22% of complaints), followed by engine issues (17%) and fuel system issues (17%), with 23 total complaints reported.
Does the 2011 BMW 335xi have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2011 335xi: two airbag campaigns and one covering wiring and electrical connectors.
At what mileage do problems typically show up on the 2011 335xi?
The median mileage at failure across complaints is 37,500 miles, though individual problem areas range from a median of 5,000 miles for transmission issues to 122,500 miles for electrical system issues.
How does the 2011 335xi compare to other 335xi years?
The 2011 model has a complaint index of 89, worse than 2010 (33, Good) and 2014 (44, Good), but slightly better than 2008 (100, Avoid), which is the worst year.

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.