BMW 328 · model year

2011 BMW 328

51 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2011BMW328 carries 51 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2011 328 is air bags with 13 filings, followed by electrical system (8) and unknown or other (5). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2011 328. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

51
Complaints
3
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

51 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS13
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM8
UNKNOWN OR OTHER5
SEAT BELTS4
ENGINE4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING3
SEATS2
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION1
POWER TRAIN1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH1
WHEELS1
STRUCTURE:BODY1

Recalls (1)

16V07100005/02/2016

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons,

Recent Complaints

20190326ENGINE

MY BMW 328I E93 HAS THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON (SES) LIGHT COME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE COMPUTER SHOWS ERROR CODE 2B3A (P1449 DMTL SYSTEM FAULT). I CLEARED THE CODE AND IT CAME BACK A WEEK LATER. I TRIED REPLACING THE GAS CAP AND THE ERROR STILL COMES BACK THE SAME. I WAS DOING FURTHER RESEARCH AND CAME ACROSS THIS ARTICLE (ATTACHED) FROM NHTSA.GOV DESCRIBING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM, WITH THE SAME EXACT CODE AND EVEN MY ENGINE IS THE SAME N52K FOR MY E93 328I. HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/TSBS/2012/SB-10051299-3508.PDF THE DMTL PUMP IS THERE TO HELP REDUCE EMISSIONS AND IF THE SYSTEM IS FAULTY, THE BMW DEALERSHIP SHOULD HONOR THE REQUEST FOR SERVICE WORK TO REPLACE THE DMTL PUMP UNDER THE EMISSIONS/EXTENDED EMISSIONS WARRANTY. I CALLED AND THEY SAID THERE'S NO RECALL FOR THIS VIN SO THEY CAN'T HELP ME...AND THEY ARE MAKING ME PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE...BUT I DO IN FACT HAVE MY EMISSIONS WARRANTY STILL IN EFFECT FOR THE VIN WHICH IS 8 YEARS OR 80,000 MILES, WHICHE

Mileage: 57,500

20190326FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MY BMW 328I E93 HAS THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON (SES) LIGHT COME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE COMPUTER SHOWS ERROR CODE 2B3A (P1449 DMTL SYSTEM FAULT). I CLEARED THE CODE AND IT CAME BACK A WEEK LATER. I TRIED REPLACING THE GAS CAP AND THE ERROR STILL COMES BACK THE SAME. I WAS DOING FURTHER RESEARCH AND CAME ACROSS THIS ARTICLE (ATTACHED) FROM NHTSA.GOV DESCRIBING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM, WITH THE SAME EXACT CODE AND EVEN MY ENGINE IS THE SAME N52K FOR MY E93 328I. HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/TSBS/2012/SB-10051299-3508.PDF THE DMTL PUMP IS THERE TO HELP REDUCE EMISSIONS AND IF THE SYSTEM IS FAULTY, THE BMW DEALERSHIP SHOULD HONOR THE REQUEST FOR SERVICE WORK TO REPLACE THE DMTL PUMP UNDER THE EMISSIONS/EXTENDED EMISSIONS WARRANTY. I CALLED AND THEY SAID THERE'S NO RECALL FOR THIS VIN SO THEY CAN'T HELP ME...AND THEY ARE MAKING ME PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE...BUT I DO IN FACT HAVE MY EMISSIONS WARRANTY STILL IN EFFECT FOR THE VIN WHICH IS 8 YEARS OR 80,000 MILES, WHICHE

Mileage: 57,500

20190326UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY BMW 328I E93 HAS THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON (SES) LIGHT COME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE COMPUTER SHOWS ERROR CODE 2B3A (P1449 DMTL SYSTEM FAULT). I CLEARED THE CODE AND IT CAME BACK A WEEK LATER. I TRIED REPLACING THE GAS CAP AND THE ERROR STILL COMES BACK THE SAME. I WAS DOING FURTHER RESEARCH AND CAME ACROSS THIS ARTICLE (ATTACHED) FROM NHTSA.GOV DESCRIBING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM, WITH THE SAME EXACT CODE AND EVEN MY ENGINE IS THE SAME N52K FOR MY E93 328I. HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/TSBS/2012/SB-10051299-3508.PDF THE DMTL PUMP IS THERE TO HELP REDUCE EMISSIONS AND IF THE SYSTEM IS FAULTY, THE BMW DEALERSHIP SHOULD HONOR THE REQUEST FOR SERVICE WORK TO REPLACE THE DMTL PUMP UNDER THE EMISSIONS/EXTENDED EMISSIONS WARRANTY. I CALLED AND THEY SAID THERE'S NO RECALL FOR THIS VIN SO THEY CAN'T HELP ME...AND THEY ARE MAKING ME PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE...BUT I DO IN FACT HAVE MY EMISSIONS WARRANTY STILL IN EFFECT FOR THE VIN WHICH IS 8 YEARS OR 80,000 MILES, WHICHE

Mileage: 57,500

20190309UNKNOWN OR OTHER

SOMETIMES WHEN I TRY TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR USING THE MECHANICAL HANDLE, DOOR DOES NOT UNLOCK. I HAVE TO USE MY KEY FOB TO REMOTELY UNLOCK THE CAR BEFORE THE DOOR HANDLE WILL WORK TO OPEN THE DOOR.

Mileage: 60,000

20190222ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE DOOR HANDLE ACTUATOR SPORADICALLY FAILS AND THE DOOR CAN NOT BE OPENED WITH EITHER THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE.

Mileage: 90,000

20181220ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

I HAVE A BMW 328I SERIES 2011 4 DOOR SEDAN VEHICLE ) I PURCHASED MY CAR 2018 APRIL AND SINCE THE 1 ST DAY IT HAS GIVEN ME ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS DIAGNOSTICS NOR ANY MECHANIC HAVE FOUND SOULTION THE VEHICLES BATTERY SUDDENLY DRAINS I HAVE GOTTEN 5 NEW BATTERYS REPLACED BECAUSE THEY END UP BEING BAD AND I ALWAYS HAVE A DRAINED BATTERY AFTER 3 OR LESS HOURS OF RECENTLY USAGE ALSO THE VEHICLE IN VARIOUS OCCASION TURNS OF IN THE FREEWAY ,WHILE DRIVING IN THE STREET ETC. WHEN IT SHUTSDOWN LIGHTS FLICKER ,AND IN DASHBOARD THEIRS SHORTAGE NOISE AND IN THE DASHBOARD THE GROUND PICTURE WITH THE VEHICLE IS RED (NO CHECK ENGINE ) MY BRAKE LIGHT IS PERMANENTLY ON THEN AFTER 1-2 MIN CAR TURNS ON COMPLETLY WELL AND THE GROUND LOGO WITH THE VECHILE IS YELLOW BUT IT CAN TURN OF AND DO THE SAME IN 1-3 MIN OR SOMETIMES IT WONT DO IT UNTIL 4 HR OR THE NEXT DAY BUT IT IS A CONSTANT THING EVERYTIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE I HAVE STARTED TO WORRY BECAUSE I NOTICED MY BATTERY FULL OF ACID AND I REPLACE

Mileage: 135,000

20181220ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I HAVE A BMW 328I SERIES 2011 4 DOOR SEDAN VEHICLE ) I PURCHASED MY CAR 2018 APRIL AND SINCE THE 1 ST DAY IT HAS GIVEN ME ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS DIAGNOSTICS NOR ANY MECHANIC HAVE FOUND SOULTION THE VEHICLES BATTERY SUDDENLY DRAINS I HAVE GOTTEN 5 NEW BATTERYS REPLACED BECAUSE THEY END UP BEING BAD AND I ALWAYS HAVE A DRAINED BATTERY AFTER 3 OR LESS HOURS OF RECENTLY USAGE ALSO THE VEHICLE IN VARIOUS OCCASION TURNS OF IN THE FREEWAY ,WHILE DRIVING IN THE STREET ETC. WHEN IT SHUTSDOWN LIGHTS FLICKER ,AND IN DASHBOARD THEIRS SHORTAGE NOISE AND IN THE DASHBOARD THE GROUND PICTURE WITH THE VEHICLE IS RED (NO CHECK ENGINE ) MY BRAKE LIGHT IS PERMANENTLY ON THEN AFTER 1-2 MIN CAR TURNS ON COMPLETLY WELL AND THE GROUND LOGO WITH THE VECHILE IS YELLOW BUT IT CAN TURN OF AND DO THE SAME IN 1-3 MIN OR SOMETIMES IT WONT DO IT UNTIL 4 HR OR THE NEXT DAY BUT IT IS A CONSTANT THING EVERYTIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE I HAVE STARTED TO WORRY BECAUSE I NOTICED MY BATTERY FULL OF ACID AND I REPLACE

Mileage: 135,000

20181220EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I HAVE A BMW 328I SERIES 2011 4 DOOR SEDAN VEHICLE ) I PURCHASED MY CAR 2018 APRIL AND SINCE THE 1 ST DAY IT HAS GIVEN ME ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS DIAGNOSTICS NOR ANY MECHANIC HAVE FOUND SOULTION THE VEHICLES BATTERY SUDDENLY DRAINS I HAVE GOTTEN 5 NEW BATTERYS REPLACED BECAUSE THEY END UP BEING BAD AND I ALWAYS HAVE A DRAINED BATTERY AFTER 3 OR LESS HOURS OF RECENTLY USAGE ALSO THE VEHICLE IN VARIOUS OCCASION TURNS OF IN THE FREEWAY ,WHILE DRIVING IN THE STREET ETC. WHEN IT SHUTSDOWN LIGHTS FLICKER ,AND IN DASHBOARD THEIRS SHORTAGE NOISE AND IN THE DASHBOARD THE GROUND PICTURE WITH THE VEHICLE IS RED (NO CHECK ENGINE ) MY BRAKE LIGHT IS PERMANENTLY ON THEN AFTER 1-2 MIN CAR TURNS ON COMPLETLY WELL AND THE GROUND LOGO WITH THE VECHILE IS YELLOW BUT IT CAN TURN OF AND DO THE SAME IN 1-3 MIN OR SOMETIMES IT WONT DO IT UNTIL 4 HR OR THE NEXT DAY BUT IT IS A CONSTANT THING EVERYTIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE I HAVE STARTED TO WORRY BECAUSE I NOTICED MY BATTERY FULL OF ACID AND I REPLACE

Mileage: 135,000

20181206AIR BAGS

TAKATA AIRBAG PROBLEMS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VECHICLE. WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM THE THIRD PARTY DEALERSHIP, 'CHASE AUTOPLEX' HE RESETTED THE SETTINGS EVERYTHING WAS WORKING PROPERLY, BUT AFTER GETTING HOME, THE NEXT DAY MY CAR SHOWED AIRBAG PROBLEMS. WHEN I CALLED HIM, HE SAID HE CAN'T HELP ME OUT WITH IT. SO MY QUESTION IS THAT, IF YOU GUYS CAN HELP ME GET A RECALL ON THIS AIRBAG, SO I DON'T HAVE TO SPENT MONEY ON IT MYSELF, I WILL APPRECIATE IT. THANKS

20181206SEAT BELTS

TAKATA AIRBAG PROBLEMS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VECHICLE. WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM THE THIRD PARTY DEALERSHIP, 'CHASE AUTOPLEX' HE RESETTED THE SETTINGS EVERYTHING WAS WORKING PROPERLY, BUT AFTER GETTING HOME, THE NEXT DAY MY CAR SHOWED AIRBAG PROBLEMS. WHEN I CALLED HIM, HE SAID HE CAN'T HELP ME OUT WITH IT. SO MY QUESTION IS THAT, IF YOU GUYS CAN HELP ME GET A RECALL ON THIS AIRBAG, SO I DON'T HAVE TO SPENT MONEY ON IT MYSELF, I WILL APPRECIATE IT. THANKS

20181008ENGINE

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. BMW DEALER SHIP NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE DEFECTS, THE SPARKS PLUGS KEEP BURNING OUT DUE TO THE CAR OVERHEATING.

Mileage: 80,000

20181008EXTERIOR LIGHTING

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. BMW DEALER SHIP NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE DEFECTS, THE SPARKS PLUGS KEEP BURNING OUT DUE TO THE CAR OVERHEATING.

Mileage: 80,000

20180914AIR BAGS

I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP (MOTORWORKS BMW IN BLOOMINGTON MN) REGARDING TWO OPEN RECALLS (PCV HEATER AND AIR BAG) THEY TOLD ME THAT THE AIRBAG WAS NOT AFFECTED BUT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE PCV HEATER. I AM MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THE AIR BAG AS IT IS RELATED TO CRASH SAFETY.

Mileage: 122,000

20180827EXTERIOR LIGHTING

BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER LED TAIL LIGHTS ARE STARTING TO FAIL. BOTH ARE FLICKERING AND ONE IS DIMMING, THIS IS HAPPENING ON THE TAIL GATE MOUNTED LIGHTS

Mileage: 96,000

20180619UNKNOWN OR OTHER

HAVE A RECALL ON BLOWER MOTOR WIRING AND VALVE HEATER. TOOK MY VEHICLE TO DEALER COUPLE OF TIME, THEY CHECKED AND NOTIFIED THAT SOME WIRES ARE BURNING AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BUT UNABLE TO DO SO DUE TO PART NOT AVAILABLE. IT'S BEEN COUPLE OF MONTHS NOW AND I HAVEN'T HEARD FROM THE DEALER.

20180524ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 328. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN EXPLOSION COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER/HEATING SYSTEM. THE CONTACT NOTICED FUMES COMING FROM THE VENTS. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT DURING THE WINTER SEASON, CONDENSATION APPEARED ON THE WINDOWS WHEN THE HEATING SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PARK AVE BMW (530 HUYLER ST, SOUTH HACKENSACK, NJ 07606, (201) 843-4999) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,450. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT *TR

Mileage: 73,450

20180524VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 328. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN EXPLOSION COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER/HEATING SYSTEM. THE CONTACT NOTICED FUMES COMING FROM THE VENTS. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. UPON RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT DURING THE WINTER SEASON, CONDENSATION APPEARED ON THE WINDOWS WHEN THE HEATING SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PARK AVE BMW (530 HUYLER ST, SOUTH HACKENSACK, NJ 07606, (201) 843-4999) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,450. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT *TR

Mileage: 73,450

20180406ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CLUSTER MALFUNCTION, ONE MORNING AFTER A SNOWSTORM I STARTED THE CAR AND ALL LIGHTS ON DASH AND GAUGES STARTED TO MALFUNCTION ON AND OFF. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THAT DEALERSHIP SAID THE CLUSTER IS BAD THE RDC CONTROL UNIT. TPMS, BATTERY AND KOMBI WIRING. AND ASK FOR A REAL HIGH PRICE TO REPAIR. AFTER I TAKE IT TO A FEW LOCAL BMW SHOPS AND EVERYONE IS ASKING ME IF I GOT THE RECALLS DONE BUT ONLY ONE RECALL OF THREE IS AVAILABLE TO FIX. SOME THINKS IT'S WATER DAMAGES AND BMW DIDN'T CHECK THE CAR PROPERLY.

Mileage: 69,800

20180226ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

BLOWER MOTOR WIRING AND POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION (PCV) VALVE HEATER. CAR FEELS HOT SOMETIMES I WENT TO THE DEALER ALREADY AND WAS TOLD SOMEONE WOULD CALL ME BACK IS BEEN OVER 2 MONTHS ALREADY

20180226ENGINE

BLOWER MOTOR WIRING AND POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION (PCV) VALVE HEATER. CAR FEELS HOT SOMETIMES I WENT TO THE DEALER ALREADY AND WAS TOLD SOMEONE WOULD CALL ME BACK IS BEEN OVER 2 MONTHS ALREADY

Compare 2011BMW328 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2011 BMW 328 have?
The 2011 BMW 328 has 51 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2011 BMW 328?
Yes, the 2011 BMW 328 has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 BMW 328?
The most-complained component for the 2011 BMW 328 is AIR BAGS with 13 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Is the 2011 BMW 328 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.