2011 BMW 335I problems
NHTSA has received 137 complaints about the 2011 BMW 335I, and 26% of them involve engine. Next are air bags (26%) and electrical system (12%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 137 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 26% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 3 and 3
- Injuries and deaths
- 2 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 50,000 miles 74 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 9 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 14 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 22 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 7 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 9 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 6 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 5 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Of the 74 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 50,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 48,000 miles (22 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 3 complaints mention a crash; 3 complaints mention a fire; 2 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2011 ranks 3rd most-complained-about out of 8 model years of the BMW 335I with enough data (56 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 7 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 BMW 335I. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact's vehicle collided into a tree without warning. The air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The contact declined assistance from the emt, but went to an urgent care. Facility for cuts to the right hand, fracture to the right pinky finger, a concussion, an unknown partially deflated lung, and inconclusive x-rays. The vehicle was towed by the insurance company to an auto body collision center to assess the damage.
Wiring harness in the engine compartment caught fire about 2 weeks after changing a water pump, battery kept being draining even after battery replacement. Locking of the trunk trunk forced usage of a BMW authorized jump start battery charger/start etc. No access to Battery when the battery is discharged.
Upon driving at highway speed (70+MPH) the car slowed down (engine braking) to approx 40MPH instantly. The cars behind me were forced to brake forcefully. An accident was avoided because it was sunday morning and light traffic. The car displayed "engine malfunction-drive to the dealership". The car was without power - just coasting at 40MPH or so, not able to accelerate. I managed to get it over to the dealer - fields BMW of northfield, il.
Driving 40MPH, smoothly at consistent speed, in middle lane of 3 lane road during morning rush hour. I had been driving for about 10-15 minutes after car had been in garage the night before. Attempted small acceleration, car did not respond, engine had turned off unclear if before or at time of attempted acceleration. Power steering was off. I put on my hazards, slowly drifted to stop, put car in park, attempted restart, first attempt failed, waited 15 seconds and second attempt successful.