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2011 BMW 328XI

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

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There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

47 reports with mileage · 20 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports5 fire reports3 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

17 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2018
Electrical SystemEngine

ON NOV. 3,2017, BMW ANNOUNCED FIRE DANGER DUE TO BLOWER MOTOR WIRING AND A PCV HEATER. NEITHER OF THESE REPAIRS SOUNDS COMPLICATED (REPLACE WIRING) BUT FIVE MONTHS LATER, BMW ON THEIR WEBSITE CONTINUES TO SAY A "REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE". THIS DELAYS SUGGESTS THAT BMW IS NOT PRIORITIZING OR TAKING THESE DANGERS SERIOUSLY. NHT…

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ON NOV. 3,2017, BMW ANNOUNCED FIRE DANGER DUE TO BLOWER MOTOR WIRING AND A PCV HEATER. NEITHER OF THESE REPAIRS SOUNDS COMPLICATED (REPLACE WIRING) BUT FIVE MONTHS LATER, BMW ON THEIR WEBSITE CONTINUES TO SAY A "REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE". THIS DELAYS SUGGESTS THAT BMW IS NOT PRIORITIZING OR TAKING THESE DANGERS SERIOUSLY. NHTSA NEEDS TO ENCOURAGE BMW TO EXPEDITE THIS RECALL FOR THE SAFETY AND PEACE OF MIND OF BMW OWNERS.

NHTSA ODI #11079705

Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2018
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL RE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11072772

99,000 miles · Jan 15, 2018
Electrical SystemFire

"BMW BLOWER MOTOR RECALL". ON SATURDAY 1/13/2018. MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE WHILE IT WAS PARKED AT MY OFFICE. 1 MOUNTAIN RD SUFFIELD, CT. THE FIRE DEPT. RESPONDED AFTER I CALLED 911 TO REPORT THE FIRE AND THAT I COULD NOT GET THE UNLOCK BUTTON TO WORK FROM MY KEY REMOTE. THE FIRE DAMAGE WAS FROM AN ELECTRICAL FIRE THAT STARTED UNDERNE…

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"BMW BLOWER MOTOR RECALL". ON SATURDAY 1/13/2018. MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE WHILE IT WAS PARKED AT MY OFFICE. 1 MOUNTAIN RD SUFFIELD, CT. THE FIRE DEPT. RESPONDED AFTER I CALLED 911 TO REPORT THE FIRE AND THAT I COULD NOT GET THE UNLOCK BUTTON TO WORK FROM MY KEY REMOTE. THE FIRE DAMAGE WAS FROM AN ELECTRICAL FIRE THAT STARTED UNDERNEATH THE DASH BOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE "BLOWER MOTOR" CAUGHT FIRE AND MELTED THROUGH THE DASH ONTO THE RUBBER MAT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE SUFFIELD FIRE DEPT HAS THE OFFICIAL REPORT. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11062868

Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2018
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (BMW OF ANNAPOLIS LOCATED AT 31 OLD MILL BOTTOM RD, ANNAP…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (BMW OF ANNAPOLIS LOCATED AT 31 OLD MILL BOTTOM RD, ANNAPOLIS, MD 21409; (410) 349-9312) STATED THAT IT COULD BE MORE THAN SIX MONTHS TO RECEIVE THE PARTS FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PART WOULD BE SUPPLIED TO THE DEALER TO RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11060728

45,000 miles · Nov 21, 2017
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY ELECTRICAL FAILURE THAT PROGRESSED WITH THE VEHICLE PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (FIELDS BMW OF DAYTONA, 1050 N TOMOKA FARMS RD, DAYTONA BEACH, FL 32124, (386) 274-1200). THE POWER DISTRIBUTION BOX AND WIRING WERE REPLACED. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY ELECTRICAL FAILURE THAT PROGRESSED WITH THE VEHICLE PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (FIELDS BMW OF DAYTONA, 1050 N TOMOKA FARMS RD, DAYTONA BEACH, FL 32124, (386) 274-1200). THE POWER DISTRIBUTION BOX AND WIRING WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM AN ELECTRICAL RECALL AND PROVIDED NO SOLUTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA ODI #11047802

130,000 miles · Jul 28, 2017
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVisibility/wiper

FOOTWELL MODULE FAILURE CAUSED THE TURN SIGNALS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, POWER WINDOWS TO FAIL TO OPERATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN A MECHANIC TRIED TO RUN DIAGNOSTICS ON THE VEHICLE DURING ROUTINE SERVICE.

NHTSA ODI #11011198

112,000 miles · Jun 16, 2015
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherFire

I REMEMBER DRIVING HOME ON THE INTERSTATE AND SMELLING A BURNING SMELL. I HAD THE WINDOWS OPEN BUT IT DIDN'T SEEM LIKE IT WAS COMING FROM OUTSIDE. LATER, THE CAR'S HVAC BLOWER FAN STOPPED WORKING. DURING REPAIR, THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR AND THE HARNESS THAT PLUGS INTO IT WERE FOUND TO BE BADLY BURNED. THE HARNESS WIRES FOR …

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I REMEMBER DRIVING HOME ON THE INTERSTATE AND SMELLING A BURNING SMELL. I HAD THE WINDOWS OPEN BUT IT DIDN'T SEEM LIKE IT WAS COMING FROM OUTSIDE. LATER, THE CAR'S HVAC BLOWER FAN STOPPED WORKING. DURING REPAIR, THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR AND THE HARNESS THAT PLUGS INTO IT WERE FOUND TO BE BADLY BURNED. THE HARNESS WIRES FOR GROUND AND POWER WERE MISSING INSULATION (BURNED AWAY) AND THE COPPER WAS BADLY CORRODED. THE TRIM PANEL DIRECTLY UNDER THE AFFECTED AREA HAS WATER STAINING AND SCORCH MARKS. BMW NA REFUSED TO PAY TO FIX DUE TO MILEAGE EVEN THOUGH CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD AND IS CLEARLY A WATER INTRUSION PROBLEM (LEADING TO A SHORT CIRCUIT AND BURNING) CAUSED BY EITHER A DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING ISSUE

NHTSA ODI #10725553

Official recalls

3

24V513000 · Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jul 3, 2024

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

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.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Air Bags:frontal

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.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

20V017000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Jan 15, 2020

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

17V676000 · Electrical System:wiring

Oct 25, 2017

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.