2011 BMW 335I Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2011 BMW 335I.

20102012
Complaints
136
Crashes
3
Fires
3
Injuries
2
Fatalities
Recalls
7

Worst 2011 BMW 335I Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#131 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:63,500 mi
Crash-related:1
#229 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:60,740 mi
#316 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:58,210 mi
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2011 BMW 335I.

Airbags
31
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
63,500
Engine Problems
29
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
60,740
Electrical Faults
16
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
58,210
Fuel System
11
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
51,500
Engine & Cooling
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
84,600
Transmission / Drivetrain
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
75,000
Unintended Acceleration
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
60,200
Headlight/Taillight Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification:Front Passenger
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2011 BMW 335I. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2011 BMW 335I

7 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~1,838,829 vehicles.

24V513000Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module · Air Bags:frontal
~394,029 affected

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.

20V017000Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
~59,965 affected

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.

17V676000Electrical System:wiring
~702,965 affected

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.

17V067000Power Train:driveline:constant Velocity Joint
~8,752 affected

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 1 Series M Coupe and 135i Convertible vehicles, 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i, 335i, 335d, 335i Coupe, 335is Coupe, 335i Convertible, 335is Convertible, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535i Gran Turismo and 550i xDrive Gran Turismo vehicles and 2012 740i and 740Li vehicles. The rear driveshaft constant velocity (CV) joint on the affected vehicles may fatigue and break.

14V176000Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
~156,137 affected

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i Convertible, 528i Sedan, 535i Sedan, 535i xDrive Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, and X3 xDrive 35i, 2010 X3 xDrive 30i, and X5 xDrive 30i, 2012 640i Coupe, and 640i Convertible and 2010-2012 535i Gran Turismo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break.

13V044000Wiring & Fuses · Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:cables · Electrical System
~516,791 affected

BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.

11V476000Power Train:driveline:driveshaft
~190 affected

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 328I XDRIVE AND 335I XDRIVE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 8, 2011, THROUGH JULY 29, 2011. THE FRONT DRIVESHAFT ATTACHMENT BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION. IF THE BOLTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION, THEY MAY BECOME LOOSE.

Other BMW 335I Years

2011 BMW 335I — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2011 BMW 335I reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2011 BMW 335I has 136 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash-related, and 7 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Airbags with 31 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2011 BMW 335I?
Top reported problems: Airbags (31 complaints, avg 63,500 mi); Engine Problems (29 complaints, avg 60,740 mi); Electrical Faults (16 complaints, avg 58,210 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2011 BMW 335I?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 62,247 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2011 BMW 335I?
NHTSA complaints for the 2011 BMW 335I include 3 crash-related reports, 3 fire reports, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2011 BMW 335I have any recalls?
Yes — 7 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,838,829 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2011 BMW 335I?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full BMW 335I reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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