2011 Bmw 335D problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
29 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
80,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 20 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 29 complaints (34.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 27.6% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 10.3% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 10.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 10.3% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 6.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Engine | 8 |
| Air Bags | 7 |
| Seats | 5 |
| Seat Belts | 4 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
Electrical System: 10; Engine: 8; Air Bags: 7; Seats: 5; Seat Belts: 4; Power Train: 3; Steering: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 9 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 12 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
2017: 6; 2018: 12; 2019: 5; 2020: 1; 2021: 2; 2022: 1; 2023: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10968131 · 2017-03-23 (March 23, 2017)
TWICE I'VE LOST POWER ON THE FREEWAY DUE TO WHAT I BELIEVE IS THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE LOSING CONNECTION TO THE FRONT FUSE BOX. EVEN THOUGH THIS HAS BEEN RECALLED IN OTHER 2008 TO 2011 3-SERIES MODELS BMW HAS REFUSED MY REQUESTS TO REPAIR THIS UNDER RECALL.
Owner-reported narrative. 94,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10968131 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11045361 · 2017-11-11 (November 11, 2017)
BLOWER MOTOR WIRING: THIS RECALL INVOLVES THE WIRING FOR THE SYSTEM, KNOWN AS THE BLOWER-MOTOR, THAT CONTROLS AIR FLOW FOR THE HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM. OVER TIME, THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE WIRING AND THIS SYSTEM COULD DETERIORATE AND, IN RARE CASES, COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING. THE BLOWER SYSTEM ALSO LEAKS SOME TYPE OF OIL WHICH MY MECHANIC INDICATED COULD ALSO LEAD TO A FIRE WITH THE BLOWING MOTOR WIRING SHORT CIRCUITING. A FEW MONTHS BACK THE HEATING/AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM SUDDENLY STOPPED FUNCTIONING, IT SENT A STRONG SMELL OF PL…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11045361 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11078418 · 2018-03-09 (March 9, 2018)
CAR STALLED MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING. EVERY TIME GOT LUCK AND NO ONE HIT ME FROM BEHIND. DEALER REPLACED ENGINE, DIESEL PUMP AND NOW REPORTED ALL INJECTORS FAILED.
Owner-reported narrative. 28 miles reported. Look up ODI 11078418 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11078424 · 2018-03-09 (March 9, 2018)
CAR STALLED MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING. EACH TIME IT WAS A SUDDEN DEATH WHILE DRIVING. EVERY TIME GOT LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT FOLLOWED BY A TRUCK AND NO ONE HIT ME FROM BEHIND. DEALER REPLACED ENGINE EARLIER, DIESEL PUMP AND NOW DEALER SAID REPORTED ALL INJECTORS FAILED. HISTORY: 1/5/17 - CAR STALLED WHILE IN MOTION ON CITY STREET - SPEED 30/HR 3/3/17 - CAR STALLED AGAIN WHILE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY - 50/HR 5/20/17 - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT - NO STALLING 5/31/17 - CAR STALLED - ON CITY STREET AT RED LIGHT. 2/13/18 - CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING …
Owner-reported narrative. 94,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11078424 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11110965 · 2018-07-12 (July 12, 2018)
WHILST DRIVING VEHICLE, BATTERY WARNING LIGHT, BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER STEERING, AND WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE. AFTER VISIT TO DEALERSHIP, APPEARS THAT HARMONIC BALANCER WAS COMPLETELY BROKEN OFF, IN TURN, TAKING OUT VARIOUS BELTS, INCLUDING THE BELTS THAT POWER A/C AND MOST IMPORTANTLY POWER STEERING. BMW ALREADY REPLACED THESE BELTS TWICE, UNDER WARRANTY. UNFORTUNATELY, IT APPEARS THE HARMONIC BALANCER APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE FOR MANY OF THE 335D VEHICLES, AS WELL AS FOR X5 SAVS, EQUIPPED WITH SAME ENGINE. CO…
Owner-reported narrative. 97,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11110965 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11142985 · 2018-10-26 (October 26, 2018)
WHILE COMING TO A STOP IN A PARKING LOT THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT AND THE SMELL OF BURNING RUBBER WAS PRESENT. HAD THE CAR BEEN GOING A HIGH RATE OF SPEED IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS.
Owner-reported narrative. 90,484 miles reported. Look up ODI 11142985 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11122700 · 2018-08-27 (August 27, 2018)
THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO STAHL AND NOW THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE HIGH/LOW FUEL PUMPS AND INJECTORS WHICH COST MORE THAN THE VEHICLE. I AM STUCK MAKING PAYMENTS THIS CAR IS JUNK AND THE CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED...... EVERY MONTH I HAVE A PROBLEM SINCE OCTOBER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 12 TIMES. THE INJECTORS, FUEL PUMP I WAS TOLD THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, INJECTORS AND NOW FUEL PUMP
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11122700 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11184619 · 2019-03-06 (March 6, 2019)
THE 2011 VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 65,000 MILES NORMAL RUNS AT HIGHWAY SPEED IN A RANGE OF 2K RPMS. A WARNING REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION IMMEDIATELY CAUSED THE CAR TO REV UP TO 5K RPM (VERY HIGH FOR A DIESEL ENGINE SEDAN) AND THE SPEED REDUCES 30-40MPH WHILE DRIVING. IT IS INCREDIBLY SCARY AND DANGEROUS. ASSUMED THIS WAS A ONE-OFF. PULLED TO THE SHOULDER, TURNED OFF THE CAR AND IT RAN FINE. TOOK IT TO BMW FOR INSPECTION AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM BUT WOULD REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND CHARGE ME MORE THAN HALF THE VALUE OF T…
Owner-reported narrative. 66,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11184619 at NHTSA ↗