2011 Bmw 335D: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10967787 · 2017-03-22 (March 22, 2017)
I PURCHASED 4 REPLACEMENT RUN FLAT TIRES FOR MY WIFES BMW 335D WITH 40,000 MILE TREAD WEAR WARRANTY. AFTER 20,000 MILES THE FRONT TIRES WERE HALF WORN AND THE REARS WERE NEAR BALD. I CONTACTED TIRE RACK, WHERE I HAD PURCHASED REPLACEMENT TIRES, AND THEY SENT OUT 2 REAR REPLACEMENT TIRES TO THEIR LOCAL INSTALLER; WHICH I FULLY PAID FOR PENDING RETURN. UPON INSTALLATION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE TIRES I HAD ORIGINALLY PURCHASED FROM TIRE RACK WERE NOT RUN FLATS BUT STANDARD TIRES. THE TIRES LOOK FROM THE OUTSIDE EXACTLY THE SAME, BRIDGESTONE…
Owner-reported narrative. 44,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10967787 at NHTSA ↗
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 11024561 · 2017-09-20 (September 20, 2017)
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE REDUCED POWER MESSAGE CAME ON, DROVE CAR FOR ANOTHER 15 MINUTES HOME, AT HOME IN THE DRIVEWAY OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW THAT THE ENGINE WAS GLOWING RED ON PASSENGER SIDE, VERY HOT UNDER THE HOOD, WITHIN MINUTES FLAMES IGNITED AND BLACK SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WE RAN FOR WATER HOSE AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. VEHICLE NOW HAS MULTIPLE ERROR MESSAGES DUE TO DAMAGED WIRE HARNESS ACCORDING TO BMW DEALER, WIRE HARNESS WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED BEFORE FULL UNDERSTANDING OF THE CONDITION OF THE CAR CAN BE DETERMINED.
Owner-reported narrative. 125,196 miles reported. Look up ODI 11024561 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11032979 · 2017-10-11 (October 11, 2017)
I HAVE A PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER.
Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11032979 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11045339 · 2017-11-11 (November 11, 2017)
TAKATA. RESOLUTION BY CLOSEST BMW DEALER, BMW OF BELLEVUE, WASHINGTON, IS INDICATING A MAY 2018 DATE FOR REPLACEMENT. I FEEL THAT THIS IS AN INORDINATELY EXTENDED TIME ON TOP OF THE ALREADY LONG TIME FOR THE REPLACEMENT PRODUCT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11045339 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 11063605 · 2018-01-18 (January 18, 2018)
VEHICLE WILL OCCASIONALLY LOSE ALL ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER RESEARCH I FOUND BMW RECALLS ON THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE AND ITS CONNECTION BEHIND THE FUSE BOX. I ACCESSED MY CABLE BEHIND THE FUSE BOX AND MOVED THE CABLE A SMALL AMOUNT AND POWER WAS RESTORED. I ASSUMED MY VEHICLE WOULD BE COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL SINCE THAT IS CLEARLY THE PROBLEM AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE OVER 70 MILES ON WAY TO THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL # 13V044000. MY CAR HAS THIS PROBLEM AND FITS ALL…
Owner-reported narrative. 76,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11063605 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11065987 · 2018-01-31 (January 31, 2018)
I HAVE A PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER. MY CAR HAS SPORT SEATS THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED IN A PREVIOUS CAMPAIGN DUE TO THE SEAT MAT SENSOR FAILURE. MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. BMW QUOTED ME A REPLACEMENT SEAT MAT USING THE SAME RECALLED PRODUCT FROM 2013 AND 2006. MY CAR CURRENTLY HAS A SEAT BELT MALFUNCTION CODE AND THE SEAT MAT SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE. THIS WENT DEFECTIVE AT 84,000 MILES ON THE CAR. AS A RESULT, THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A CRASH BECAUSE THE SEAT DOES NOT DETECT AN OCCUPANT WITH T…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11065987 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
17V067000 · Power Train:Driveline:Constant Velocity Joint
Reported: 2017-02-02 (February 2, 2017)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 1 Series M Coupe and 135i Convertible vehicles, 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i, 335i, 335d, 335i Coupe, 335is Coupe, 335i Convertible, 335is Convertible, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535i Gran Turismo and 550i xDrive Gran Turismo vehicles and 2012 740i and 740Li vehicles. The rear driveshaft constant velocity (CV) joint on the affected vehicles may fatigue and break.
Consequence: If the CV joint breaks, the vehicle may have a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear driveshaft CV joint and, based on its production date, will replace it, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V676000 · Electrical System:Wiring
Reported: 2017-10-25 (October 25, 2017)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V314000 · Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers | Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables
Reported: 2018-05-14 (May 14, 2018)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V472000 · Electrical System | Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers | Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables
Reported: 2019-06-19 (June 19, 2019)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V017000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2020-01-15 (January 15, 2020)
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.
Consequence: 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 campaign record ↗24V513000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module | Air Bags:Frontal
Reported: 2024-07-03 (July 3, 2024)
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.
Consequence: 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 campaign record ↗