2011 Bmw 335XI: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
23 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
37,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 16 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 23 complaints (21.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 17.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 13.0% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 8.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 4.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 4.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Wheels | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
Air Bags: 5; Fuel/Propulsion System: 4; Service Brakes: 3; Wheels: 3; Electrical System: 2; Engine: 2; Power Train: 2; Unknown Or Other: 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 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 7 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 |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 2 |
2011: 1; 2012: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 3; 2015: 3; 2016: 3; 2017: 5; 2018: 3; 2019: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 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 10430777 · 2011-10-19 (October 19, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 335XI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED THE RPMS INCREASED, AS IF IT WAS GOING TO SURGE FORWARD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,780. UPDATED 10/31/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED ON THREE OCCASIONS, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE AND AT A FULL STOP, THE ENGINE SPEED INCREASED TOWARDS FULL THROTTLE WITHOUT TOUCHING OR DEPRESSING THE A…
Owner-reported narrative. 93,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10430777 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10455503 · 2012-04-17 (April 17, 2012)
ON MONDAY APRIL 9, 2012 WHILE TRAVELING ON HAGEDORN ROAD IN EAST LANSING, MI, (APPROXIMATELY 3800 HAGEDORN ROAD) MY BMW HIT A POTHOLE THAT RESULTED IN A SPLIT REAR RIM, DAMAGED FRONT RIM AND BLOWN TIRE WHILE TRAVELING AT 35 MPH. THE POTHOLE WAS OF AN 'AVERAGE' DEPTH FOR MICHIGAN. (PICTURES CAN BE PROVIDED). INTERESTING IS THE AMOUNT OF TIME (WHILE PURCHASING THE CAR IN DECEMBER OF 2011) THAT THE SALESPERSON TRIED TALKING US INTO PURCHASING EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR TIRES AND RIMS. HE MENTIONED THAT HE KNEW OF MANY CUSTOMERS THAT HAD B…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10455503 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10481229 · 2012-10-20 (October 20, 2012)
THE ENGINE RANDOMLY SHUTS DOWN. THIS IS ACCOMPANIED BY LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND REDUCED BRAKING ABILITY. THIS INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED THREE TIMES. THE CAR HAS PROVIDED NO WARNING OR INDICATOR LIGHTS. BMW SERVICE WAS MADE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT THEY FAILED TO REPRODUCE IT. THEY ALSO FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, THE LAST INCIDENT OCCURRED AFTER A SERVICE ON THE CAR. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10481229 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10509872 · 2013-04-29 (April 29, 2013)
I BOUGHT MY BMW 335I XDRIVE BRAND NEW...ORDERED IN JAN 2010 AND DELIVERED ON APRIL 19, 2010. SINCE I'VE HAD THE CAR, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES (WITHIN 20,000 MILES) BECAUSE OF POTHOLE DAMAGE TO THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE. ALSO, THE CAR REQUIRED REALIGNMENT. IN AUGUST 2012, I HAD ABOUT 22,000 MILES ON MY CAR AND HAD TO REPLACE ALL OF MY TIRES ( EXCEPT THE PASSENGER SIDE LEFT FRONT, SINCE THAT WAS THE TIRE THAT WAS ALREADY REPLACED 3 TIMES PRIOR TO HAVING 22,000 MILES ON MY CAR) BECAUSE THEY WERE WORN OUT. THE BRIDGESTO…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,855 miles reported. Look up ODI 10509872 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10596966 · 2014-06-08 (June 8, 2014)
MANUAL TRANSMISSION. 2ND GEAR SYNCHRONIZER (SYNCHRO) FAILED @ 5000 MILES. UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR SAFELY. PROBLEM/FAILURE BECOME MORE PROMINENT @ 18,000 MILES. BMW OF SAN FRANCISCO VOIDED WARRANTY RETROACTIVELY FOR USING AFTERMARKET PARTS @ 16K MILES. MANY INDIVIDUALS ON COMPLAINING OF SAME TRANSMISSION ISSUE. (1ST TO 2ND GRIND). PROBLEM NOT RESOLVED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10596966 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10610341 · 2014-07-14 (July 14, 2014)
CRACKED WHEEL RIM- WITH NO PRECEDING INCIDENT HITTING A LARGE POTHOLE, ETC. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10610341 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10630802 · 2014-09-08 (September 8, 2014)
2011 BMW 335XI. CONSUMER WRITES INN REGARDS TO SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SUNROOF SHADE WAS CLOSED PREVENTING SHARDS FROM FLOODING INTO THE VEHICLE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10630802 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10721147 · 2015-05-23 (May 23, 2015)
I ORDERED A BRAND NEW 2011 BMW 335I XDRIVE AND IT WAS DELIVERED ON APRIL 19, 2010. THE 2011 MODEL YEAR CAME OUT EARLY. ON FEB 20, 2012 I HAD A DIFFICULT TIME STARTING THE ENGINE AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT...IT WOULD TAKE TOO LONG TO START, CRANKING FOR A LONG TIME. BROUGHT IT TO BMW IN WARWICK RI AND THEY RAN SHORT TESTS AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. ANOTHER TIME I WOULD SMELL A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE AND I WAS NOT BY ANY GAS STATIONS OR OTHER CARS. BROUGHT IT TO THE SAME SERVICE CENTER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. ANOTHER TIME MY CAR …
Owner-reported narrative. 18,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10721147 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
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 ↗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 ↗