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ProblemsByVin File / 2011-BMW-328I
2011 · bmw

bmw 328i problems

2 safety recalls. 678 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.4 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

engine
310 reports · avg $3,100
moderate
electrical
138 reports · avg $850
severe
airbags
102 reports · avg $1,100
severe
powertrain
25 reports · avg $2,500
severe
steering
10 reports · avg $700
severe
cruise control
9 reports · avg $600
severe
body
8 reports · avg $1,500
severe
visibility
6 reports · avg $350
moderate

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2011 328i · airbags
TAKATA RECALL AIBAG LIGHT IS ON IN VEHICLE. I BARELY DRIVE CAR AND DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS IS ON. WHEN I CHECK RECALLS 8 SEEN THIS MODEL IS AFFECTED BUT WHEN I PUT IN VIN NO CURRENT REVEAL. THIS IS VERY CONTRADICTING. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. I TURNED IT ON TO WARM UP…
12/31/2018 · NHTSA ODI #11164153.0
2011 328i · airbags
The the OC3 MAT on the passanger car just showed up faulty which causes the air bag light to also come on. I have seen a lot of others posting they are having the same issue. Can you help me find out if this has already been recalled but not replaced on my car or if it…
12/30/2023 · NHTSA ODI #11562709.0
2011 328i · engine
* What component failed: The VANOS gear bolts broken on the 2011 BMW 328i. *How was your safety put at risk? The car will suddenly stall during high speed driving that risk some car will hint from behind or high possibility of lost the control. The car stall and shaking very bad…
12/30/2022 · NHTSA ODI #11499538.0
2011 328i · engine
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time…
12/29/2023 · NHTSA ODI #11562554.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 2 of 2

severe NHTSA 17V676000 25/10/2017

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

Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 11V476000 15/09/2011

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 328I XDRIVE AND 335I XDRIVE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 8, 2011, THROUGH JULY 29, 2011

IF THE BOLTS LOOSEN, IT COULD LEAD TO A LOSS OF POWER TO THE FRONT WHEELS AND ULTIMATELY A VEHICLE BREAKDOWN, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Fix: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT DRIVESHAFT ATTACHMENT BOLTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.

Common questions

Is the 2011 BMW 328i reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.4 out of 10 based on 678 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 BMW 328i has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

What's the most common problem on the 2011 BMW 328i?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 310 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my BMW 328i has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2011 BMW 328i?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 678 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 9 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with bmw. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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