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ProblemsByVin File / 2011-BMW-335D NHTSA data synced 5 hours ago
BMW

2011 BMW 335d problems

Light NHTSA footprint — 29 owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.

The 2011 BMW 335d has 29 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 recall on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 8 complaints, typically surfacing around 78,625 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

2011 BMW 335d
Photo: Calreyn88 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · representative photo of the BMW 335d
0 5 10
Reliability score
8.2 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

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Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2011 335d?
Generally reliable

Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

Buying a used 2011 BMW 335d? Check these first

Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.

What to inspect on this specific car

⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 101,098 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.

Recalls to confirm are done

Run the VIN from the listing — 1 active recall on this model. Recall repairs are always free.

Verdict for buyers: 8.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.

We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.

See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →
✦ Ask the data · AI

Ask anything about your 2011 BMW 335d

A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.

Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.

Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.

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Top trouble spots 5 categories with 3+ complaints

electrical
8 reports · fails ~78,625 mi · avg $850
moderate
airbags
7 reports · fails ~97,250 mi · avg $1,100
moderate
engine
3 reports · fails ~101,098 mi · avg $3,100
severe
powertrain
3 reports · fails ~80,000 mi · avg $2,500
moderate
steering
3 reports · fails ~66,161 mi · avg $700
severe
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2011 335d's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2011 335d?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2011 335d · airbags
The front passenger seatbelt sensor malfunctions and sets off the warning sound as if someone is siting in the seat when nobody or nothing is in the seat. This may cause airbag malfunctions or have it not deploy. This has been happening since the first day I bought the car…
12/29/2019 · at 84,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11291827.0 · see airbags pattern →
2011 335d · airbags
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.
2011 335d · electrical
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…
2011 335d · steering
While coming to a stop in a parking lot the steering became difficult and the smell of burning rubber was present. Had the car been going a high rate of speed it would have been disastrous.
10/26/2018 · at 90,484 mi · NHTSA ODI #11142985.0 · see steering pattern →
View all 29 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2011 BMW 335d? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

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

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 18V314000 May 14, 2018

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2010-2011 BMW 335d vehicles with diesel engines

A loss of electrical power to the vehicle can cause the vehicle to unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Common questions

Is the 2011 BMW 335d reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.2 out of 10 based on 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 BMW 335d is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2011 BMW 335d?

On the NHTSA data, the 2011 BMW 335d does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What should I check before buying a used 2011 BMW 335d?

Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 8 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 78,625 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.

Is the 2011 BMW 335d a good used car to buy?

It scores 8.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 29 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 78,625 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.

What's the most common problem on the 2011 BMW 335d?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 8 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 78,625 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 78,625 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my BMW 335d 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 335d?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 29 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, 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 are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 5 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/BMW/335d. 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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