2011 BMW 335XI: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 23 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags; the 2010 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2024
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 23 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I was driving my car when the engine sounded something similar to is if I had a misfire. I started slowing down by the time I got to about 5 miles an hour smoke started coming through the vents. Open the hood and there was a fire between the back of the engine in the firewall. Within 15 minutes the car completely burned down. It is unknown what caused this so far.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2019
“The high pressure fuel pump fails without warning. The fuel pump on previous n54 engine were recalled. The fuel pump was not changed for the newer n55 engine and they are continuing to fail.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2018
“I took my car into bmw for 2 recalls after waiting 2 months for the parts after 6 hrs had passed they claimed to have the wrong parts ,when I went to pick up my car it had no power I couldn't drive it home .I paid $147 for diagnostic that was supposed to be complimentary and a repair bill of $3,478.25 april 20 20018 . Last year I had to replace the axle do it not twisting like a wash rag”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“Car was parked several hours after driving it. Noticed discoloration on windows. Smoke in interior, fire burned dashboard, blower motor fell out. Note: I found an existing recall, 17v676, october 2017, but no recall letter was received.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2018
“October 25, 2017 | recall campaign no. 17v-676 blower motor wiring to date there is still no remedy for this recall issued 5 months ago. I'm not sure what constitutes a 'reasonable period of time' for a recall like this but it seems like it has been a while, especially for a recall that could potentially cause a fire..”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2018
“Driver's front airbag recall # 16v071 manufacturers still do not have parts or a solution to remedy this issue according to bmw dealerships bmw houston north and bmw the woodlands.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2017
“Driving at 90km hr on flat straight good hwy, sunroof for no reason explodes. Noise is loud enough to give me tinnitus, glass shatters everywhere. Causing me to do an emergency pull over. Evidence shows clearly the explosion was outward with remaining glass bent upwards and shards all down the back of the car damaging the rear paint. Shards covering driver, passengers and back seat. Sunroof was closed and had not been open for 2 months and liner shade was back.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2017
“I purchased my car with the confidence that I was purchasing a superior product to my disappointment when I went to sale this vehicle I was given less for the sale of my car due to this recall I could not get the airbag replaced so I was given less for my car due to this recall my damages are $3000.00 I would like this difference refunded back to me. This is not my fault this is solely the fault of the inferior product I have not contacted an attorney as of yet but if I am not made whole then I will have no other choice but to contact an attorney due to my loss. Thank you, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2017
“Takata recall-recall campaign no. 16v-071: driver's front air bag module I was recently sold a vehicle that has this recalled part and was not made aware of the recall until the day I went to pick up my vehicle. I was then told I couldnt take the car home and also I was not provided a loaner vehicle which by what I read on the bmw usa website should have been made available to me. Also after doing research I found out that this vehicle should not even have been made available for sale.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2016
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 bmw 335xi. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted (schomp bmw, highlands ranch, co, 303-730-1300) and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 0 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact 335XI by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
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Is the 2011 BMW 335XI reliable?
NHTSA has 23 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2011 BMW 335XI. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Does the 2011 BMW 335XI have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:wiring. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.