Trunk Lid Intermittently Does Not Open or Latch. Intermittently the trunk lid does not pop open when using the remote, or latch when closing. If the vehicle is driven and the trunk is not closed fully, a Check Control message will be displayed in the instrument cluster. CAUSE: The trunk lid is out of tolerance. When opening or closing the trunk lid, the latch rubs against the striker because of insufficient clearance.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 BMW 328i body problems
severe Owners of the 2011 BMW 328i have filed 8 NHTSA complaints about the body at roughly $1,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See body across all vehicles →
Complaints
8
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
| Model year | body complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 328i (this page) | 8 |
| 2013 328i | 6 |
| 2014 328i | 5 |
1crash
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 8 body complaints filed for the 2011 BMW 328i, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA body complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
RETRACTABLE HARDTOP STATUS REQUEST SUPPLEMENT. This Service Information bulletin replaces SI B54 09 07 dated September 2018.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗?RETRACTABLE HARDTOP STATUS REQUEST SUPPLEMENT. INFORMATION Documents have been developed showing the known correct statuses for all hall sensors and micro switches used to operate the retractable hard top (RHT). This document is intended to act as a supplement to the diagnostic information available in ISTA. Comparing these statuses to the actual statuses of a vehicle with a functional problem may assist in narrowing down which sensor/switch is contributing to the functional problem. For E93, the status request may be found by connecting the car to ISTA and selecting: Control module functions/CTM Convertible top module/Diagnosis Requests ?Sensors/Switches For F33/F83, the statuses should be
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SI B51 39 11February 2015 Body EquipmentTechnical Service This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B51 39 11 dated November 2012. designates changes to this revision SUBJECT Trunk Lid Intermittently Does Not Open or Latch. INFORMATION Part NumberDescriptionQuantity 51 24 7 348 321Spacer plate1 or 2 as needed 51 24 7 840 617Trunk lid lock with microswitch1 51 24 7 078 167Striker trunk lid1
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SiDrive Controller Trim Peeling. The chrome ring on the iDrive controller is peeling. Poor chrome material adhesion
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
My license plate has 1 screw that fits into the metal made holes. It is suppose to have 2 screws that fit into the metal holes in the trunk. The plate itself has screws with no backs and are stripped. I don't want the license plate to rattle and fall off from faulty workmanship with license plate panel. Also the front plate is completely different from the back license plate panel and these…
Had body trouble with your 2011 BMW 328i?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2011 BMW 328i?
It's a meaningful issue. 8 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,500.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Based on the 8 complaints filed, body issues most often appear around 67,600 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/BMW/328i.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.