BMW 328XI · model year

2011 BMW 328XI

99 NHTSA complaints, 10 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2011BMW328XI carries 99 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 10 crashes, 7 fires, 7 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 328XI is engine with 24 filings, followed by electrical system (17) and air bags (12). 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 3 active recall campaigns, 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 328XI. 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.

99
Complaints
10
Crashes
7
Fires
7
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

99 filings

Crashes Reported

10 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE24
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM17
AIR BAGS12
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING9
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM7
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL6
UNKNOWN OR OTHER5
POWER TRAIN4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING3
SEATS2
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION2
SERVICE BRAKES1
SEAT BELTS1
VISIBILITY/WIPER1
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR1

Recalls (3)

17V67600025/10/2017

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

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 ai

20V01700015/01/2020

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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,

24V51300003/07/2024

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 spor

Recent Complaints

20240730ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

20240712ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

20240312ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

20240304ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

20240301ENGINE

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328XI. The contact stated that on several occasions when the vehicle was started, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. Additionally, while driving on several occasions at slow speeds, the vehicle was shaking abnormally. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 123,200.

Mileage: 123,200

20240205ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the engine made an abnormal sound, and the vehicle experienced reduced motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to operate as needed. The message "Service Engine Soon" was displayed. The local dealer was contacted. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the failure was related to the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Mileage: 133,000

20240105ENGINE

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328XI. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shaking excessively from the engine compartment. The contact stated while driving, the 4WD, brakes, and Service engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while the warning lights were illuminated, the cruise control was inoperable. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 122,000.

Mileage: 122,000

20220725ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced hard started and would vibrate abnormal while started. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated due to a failed O2 sensor. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Mileage: 120,000

20220608ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle overheated while the HVAC system was turned on. Additionally, the vehicle jerked and there was smoke coming from the exhaust pipe while driving. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

20220526ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was invalid.

20210812FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328XI. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, an odor appeared from the exhaust pipe and under the hood where the engine was located. The contact mentioned that every year the oil was changed at an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the valve gasket failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred. The contact feels unsafe driving the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided the contact with a case number. The dealer was contacted and confirm that no recalls under the VIN. The contact mentioned NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) as a possible solution to the failure however the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximate 52,202

Mileage: 52,202

20210420ENGINE

MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AND IS REPORTING THE SAME TROUBLE CODES RELATED TO RECALL NUMBER: 17V683000. HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF THIS MATTER COULD BE INVESTIGATED AND MY VEHICLES VIN INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL.

Mileage: 112,000

20210420FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AND IS REPORTING THE SAME TROUBLE CODES RELATED TO RECALL NUMBER: 17V683000. HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF THIS MATTER COULD BE INVESTIGATED AND MY VEHICLES VIN INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL.

Mileage: 112,000

20210420POWER TRAIN

MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AND IS REPORTING THE SAME TROUBLE CODES RELATED TO RECALL NUMBER: 17V683000. HOWEVER, MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF THIS MATTER COULD BE INVESTIGATED AND MY VEHICLES VIN INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL.

Mileage: 112,000

20210208ENGINE

BOLTS HOLDING THE VANOS UNIT HOUSING BROKE AND DAMAGED MY CAR ENGINE. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED IN THE US MARKET AS THEY HAVE DONE IN CHINESE MARKET BACK IN THE 2014. ENGINE IS MAKING LOUT NOISE AND DAMAGED WITH COUPLE BOLTS SNAPPED INSIDE. THE CAR IS NOT WORKING AND IS WITH BMW GALLERY IN ROCKLAND, MA. THE CAR HAS ONLY 11,0000 MILES ON IT, WHICH SHOULDN'T HAVE ENGINE PROBLEM LIKE THAT. HTTPS://WWW.AUTOBLOG.COM/AMP/2014/04/11/BMW-BROADENS-ENGINE-BOLT-RECALL-NEARLY-HALF-MILLION-CARS-WORLDWIDE/

Mileage: 110,000

20201207ENGINE

ALUMINUM BOLTS ON VANOS INTAKE ACTUATOR/PHASER SNAPPED. CAUSED INTERNAL ENGINE DAMAGE. HAD REPAIRED, ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS, ENGINE IS IN TIMING. CALLED BMW DEALERSHIP IN PA. THEY STATED NO RECALLS FOR ISSUE, NO TSB'S. I FOUND A NHTSA CAMPAIGN THAT MATCHES THE DESCRIPTION OF WHAT HAPPENED 14V76000, BMW DEALER DID NOT RECONGNIZE CAMPAIGN. CANNOT RESELL THE VEHICLE WITH CEL & SPENT THOUSANDS TRYING TO REPAIR. UPSIDE DOWN ON THE CAR & FRUSTRATED.

Mileage: 100,240

20200709TIRES

I HAVE BRIDGESTONE DRIVEGUARD RUN FLAT TIRES ... JUST HAD MY 3RD BLOW OUT OF A FRONT TIRE IN THE LAST 18 MONTHS. ONLY 3 BLOW OUTS I'VE EVER HAD IN 48 YEARS OF DRIVING. THE BLOW OUT TODAY WAS THE REPLACEMENT TIRE FOR THE BLOW OUT 18 MONTHS AGO ... SO QUITE NEW WITH LITTLE WEAR. IN ALL 3 CASES THE TIRE BLEW OUT (FRACTURED) WHERE THE BEAD INTERSECTS THE TIRE RIM.

Mileage: 105,980

20191024CrashENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 328XI. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED, AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND OIL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ON AUGUST 26, 2019, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO RICK HENDRICK BMW (1518 SAVANNAH HWY, CHARLESTON, SC 29407, (843) 261-5760) TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). ON AUGUST 27, 2019, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHILE BEING TEST DRIVEN BY A MECHANIC. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED OF THE CRASH THE FOLLOWING DAY. ON AUGUST 29, 2019, THE CONTACT WENT TO THE DEALER TO SPEAK WITH A MANAGER AND WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD NEED A POLICE REPORT BEFORE THEY COULD MAKE ANY DECISIONS REGARDING HIS VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH HIS INSURANCE COMPANY. ON SEPTEMBER 3, 2019, THE CONTACT WAS PROVIDED A REPAIR ESTIMATE VIA EMAIL AT THE COST OF $4,751. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REC ECCENTRIC SHAFT SENSOR WITH THE VALVE COVER, OIL FILTER SOLEN

Mileage: 56,000

20191010POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 328XI. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V044000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) WITH THE FAILURE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,000.

Mileage: 67,000

20190623ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHEN I TURN ON MY AIR CONDITIONING MY CAR OVERHEATS WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK IT STARTED TO OVERHEAT AND I WAS STUCK ON THE HIGHWAY FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS I NEED THIS PROBLEM FIXED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE I AM IN FEAR OF THIS HAPPENING AGAIN

Compare 2011BMW328XI to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2011 BMW 328XI have?
The 2011 BMW 328XI has 99 NHTSA complaints, 10 crashes, 7 fires, 7 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2011 BMW 328XI?
Yes, the 2011 BMW 328XI has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 BMW 328XI?
The most-complained component for the 2011 BMW 328XI is ENGINE with 24 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and AIR BAGS.
Is the 2011 BMW 328XI 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.