Of the 138 electrical complaints filed for the 2011 BMW 328i,
here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
0 (0%)
25-50k
0 (0%)
50-75k
0 (0%)
75-100k
2 (50%)
100-125k
1 (25%)
125-150k
1 (25%)
150k+
0 (0%)
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
Of the 5 model years of BMW 328i we track for electrical problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 138.
Electrical accounts for 20% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 11 categories tracked.
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.
What owners are reporting
5 most recent
electrical
· filed 12/28/2017
When will the wiring recall for my car be completed? I need some sort of updated information, as my car is sitting due to signing a form stating I will not drive until the repairs are done. This is causing other issues such as dead battery, possible tire dry rot etc.... Due to sitting for so long I'm the weather without moving. Will any other damages or faults be covered due to this?
electrical · 121,923 mi
· filed 12/25/2019
When I get in my car I have to use my key to lock my car doors. As soon as I put the key in the ignition all my car doors unlock. I have to fight with the key and double taping on the lock button on my key seems to keep the doors locked. My back window passenger side won't stay closed. I have to fight with the electric window device and hold the electric window device when I close the window.…
electrical · 84,323 mi
· filed 12/23/2015
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 BMW 328i. The contact stated that vehicle started automatically and when running for long periods of time, the battery would fail and caused the vehicle to become inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but the failure was unable to be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was serviced under an unknown NHTSA…
electrical · 93,000 mi
· filed 12/20/2021
The positive battery terminal connection on the thickest cable in the trunk of the car (this wire leads from the battery in the trunk to the fuse box behind the glove box of the car) was loose due to either natural loosening over time (i.e. loss of torque on the fastener) or improperly applied torque by various BMW service shops (battery was changed by independent BMW service shop in 2018 and…
electrical · 135,000 mi
· filed 12/20/2018
I have a BMW 328i series 2011 4 door sedan vehicle ) I purchased my car 2018 april and since the 1 st day it has given me electrical problems diagnostics nor any mechanic have found soultion the vehicles battery suddenly drains I have gotten 5 new batterys replaced because they end up being bad and I always have a drained battery after 3 or less hours of recently usage also the vehicle…
Had electrical 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 electrical problem on the 2011 BMW 328i?
It's a meaningful issue. 138 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 61 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 68,000 and 110,400 miles, with the median around 91,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 68,000; a quarter make it past 110,400. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover electrical issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.
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.