Representative model. Photo: Curlyrnd, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2011 BMW 3 Series recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2011 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 14
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 894
Latest campaign: Jul 3, 2024

Recall summary by component14

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Engine and engine cooling	5	Oct 20, 2023	23V707000 22V119000 17V683000 14V176000 12E029000
Electrical system	4	Jun 19, 2019	19V472000 18V314000 17V676000 13V044000
Air bags	3	Jul 3, 2024	24V513000 20V017000 16V071000
Power train	2	Feb 2, 2017	17V067000 11V476000

Safety recalls14

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Jul 3, 2024Latest campaign


Jul 3, 202424V513000	Air bags: frontal driver side An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. DetailsHide details for campaign 24V513000 What's wrong 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. Filed under 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335d, 335i, 335xi Campaign NHTSA 24V513000 · Jul 3, 2024
Oct 20, 202323V707000	Engine and engine cooling: engine Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 23V707000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2010-2012 1 Series Coupe, 1 Series Convertible, 3 Series Sedan, 3 Series Convertible, 2010-2011 3 Series Sportswagon, 3 Series Coupe, 5 Series Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, X3 xDrive 30i, X5 xDrive30i, and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The aluminum bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and possibly break. Risk Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy Dealers will replace the four VANOS bolts, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed December 18, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 19, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Filed under 3 Series Campaign NHTSA 23V707000 · Oct 20, 2023
Mar 2, 202222V119000	Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system emission control An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked. DetailsHide details for campaign 22V119000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit. Risk An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked. Remedy This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Filed under 3 Series Campaign NHTSA 22V119000 · Mar 2, 2022
Jan 15, 202020V017000	Air bags: frontal driver side An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. DetailsHide details for campaign 20V017000 What's wrong 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. Filed under 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335d, 335i, 335is, 335xi Campaign NHTSA 20V017000 · Jan 15, 2020
Jun 19, 201919V472000	Electrical system: wiring fuses and circuit breakers A loss of electrical power can cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 19V472000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009 328i and 328xi, 2009-2011 335d, 2008-2012 M3 Coupe and M3 Convertible, and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. The connection of the positive battery cable at the fuse box terminal may degrade, resulting in an intermittent loss of electrical power. Risk A loss of electrical power can cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and secure the positive battery cable connector, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion of a previous recall, number 18V-314. Filed under 335d Campaign NHTSA 19V472000 · Jun 19, 2019
May 14, 201818V314000	Electrical system: wiring fuses and circuit breakers A loss of electrical power to the vehicle can cause the vehicle to unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 18V314000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2010-2011 BMW 335d vehicles with diesel engines. The connection of the positive battery cable at the fuse box terminal may degrade over time, possibly resulting in an intermittent loss of electrical power. Risk A loss of electrical power to the vehicle can cause the vehicle to unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on June 29, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Filed under 335d Campaign NHTSA 18V314000 · May 14, 2018

Merged from NHTSA model names: 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335d, 335i, 335xi, 3 Series, 335is, 325, 328, 330, 335. Not every vehicle of a model year is affected by every campaign.

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the BMW recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2011 BMW 3 Series? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component894

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

894Complaints filed

30Involving a crash

37Involving a fire

33Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Engine	283	32	1	12	2
Electrical system	193	22	1	20	3
Engine and engine cooling	192	21	0	7	1
Air bags	179	20	20	0	24
Unknown or other	66	7	3	5	6
Fuel/propulsion system	53	6	1	0	0
Power train	46	5	1	1	1
Exterior lighting	29	3	0	1	0
Vehicle speed control	24	3	7	0	2
Seat belts	24	3	1	0	2
Seats	23	3	1	0	3
Steering	17	2	2	1	0
Wheels	17	2	2	0	1
Structure	15	2	2	3	2
Service brakes	15	2	4	0	5

13 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number, merged from NHTSA model names 323I, 325I, 328I, 328I Xdrive, 335 IS, 335D, 335I, 335I Xdrive.

Latest reports

Engine and engine cooling
“The contact owns a 2011 BMW 335I. While driving 50 MPH, the vehicle lost power. The check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode before shutting off.”
Filed 09/23/2026 · ODI 11766473
Engine
“"My vehicle is experiencing a complete mechanical breakdown with a fast-crank, no-start condition and an active fault code for exhaust valve timing.”
Filed 09/09/2026 · ODI 11763040
Engine
“I took my car to the Tigard Oregon bmw dealership for my three recalls that were needing addressed. I turned my car over to them in good working order.”
Filed 09/03/2026 · ODI 11762045

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2011 BMW 3 Series recall questions

How many recalls does the 2011 BMW 3 Series have?

NHTSA lists 14 safety recall campaigns for the 2011 BMW 3 Series. The most recent, 24V513000 (reported July 3, 2024), concerns air bags. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2011 BMW 3 Series recalls for?

The largest group is engine and engine cooling, with 5 campaigns. Others: electrical system (4), air bags (3), power train (2). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2011 BMW 3 Series?

Engine is the most-reported component, named in 283 complaints out of 894 filed with NHTSA (32%). Across all complaints, owners reported 30 crashs and 37 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2011 BMW 3 Series?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the BMW recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised BMW dealer.

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