repaired · 2026 Q1
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Risk. Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
2011 BMW 3 SeriesProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 1 owner complaint about the 2011 BMW 3 Series, most often about the engine. It is covered by 2 safety recalls, and for recall 22V-119 the manufacturer reports only 27% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 22, 2024. Updated daily. Photo: BeatRGB, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2011 BMW 3 Series has problems
1 complaint grouped by the system owners reported.
1Engine
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
2011 BMW 3 Series recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2024 Q2
Emission control: crankcase (pcv)
Risk. An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with BMW.
Best & worst years
2011 vs. every other 3 Series year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 3 Series median. How we score
'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'23
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
Own a 2011 3 Series?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.