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2011 BMW 335xiProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 23 owner complaints about the 2011 BMW 335xi, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 24V-513 the manufacturer reports only 19% of affected cars repaired.

2011 BMW 335xi
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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls3Lowest repair rate 19%Owner complaints233 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage52kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 3, 2024. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2011 BMW 335xi has problems

23 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags50
Fuel/propulsion system40
Wheels30
Service brakes30
Power train20
Electrical system21
Vehicle speed control20
Engine20
Seats11
3 other systems30

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

2011 BMW 335xi 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.

19%repaired · 2026 Q2

Air bags: frontal

Recall 24V-513 · Jul 3, 2024 · 394,029 vehicles · 76,064 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

77%repaired · 2021 Q2

Driver side: inflator module

Recall 20V-017 · Jan 15, 2020 · 59,965 vehicles · 46,423 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

50%repaired · 2019 Q3

Electrical system: wiring

Recall 17V-676 · Oct 25, 2017 · 702,965 vehicles · 351,986 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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 335xi 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 335xi median. How we score

'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What 335xi owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 11042608 · Nov 2, 2017
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.
Complaint 10986323 · May 18, 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…
Complaint 10945233 · Jan 14, 2017 · 52,000 miles

Own a 2011 335xi?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.