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BMW · NHTSA safety record

2011 BMW 328XI

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

67

Complaints

6

Crashes

5

Fires

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2011 BMW 328XI have filed 67 safety complaints with NHTSA between August 2012 and July 2024. The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 24 of them (36%). The typical failure was reported at 79,000 miles, the median across the 47 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 3 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (3)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

24V513000 · July 3, 2024

The defect
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.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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 · up to 394,029 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

20V017000 · January 15, 2020

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

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 59,965 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

17V676000 · October 25, 2017

The defect
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.
The risk
Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
The 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 · up to 702,965 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 67.

ENGINE 24 36%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17 25%
AIR BAGS 12 18%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 9 13%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 7 10%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 6 9%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 5 7%
POWER TRAIN 4 6%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 3 4%
SEATS 2 3%
SEAT BELTS 1 1%
SERVICE BRAKES 1 1%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2018 at 19.

2012 2018 2024
2012 to 2024

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash

2011 BMW 328I. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FAULTY AIRBAGS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE HIS WIFE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 40 MPH, AFTER THAT VEHICLE RAN A STOP. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WAS CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE ENTIRE FRONT BUMPER, PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, PANEL AND HOOD. THE REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD RECEIVED DAMAGE WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND IT REQUIRED THE MOTOR TO REMOVED AND RE-MOUNTED. THE COST OF THE DAMAGE WAS ESTIMATED OVER $15,000.UPDATED 12/09/15 *BF *TR

NHTSA complaint 10513181. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 74,000 miles

I WAS DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC IN TOWN AT 4 PM ON A SUNNY DAY. THE CAR AHEAD OF ME SLOWED DOWN EVEN MORE AND WHEN I WAS TRYING TO SLOW MY CAR TOO, IT DID NOT SLOW DOWN AT ALL. I DID HIT THE CAR AHEAD OF ME AT A SLOW SPEED AND THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED CAUSING SEVERE INJURY TO MY RIGHT WRIST AND TO THE LEFT WRIST. IT CAUSED PROFUSE BLEEDING BECAUSE THE AIR BAG CAUSED CUTS IN MY WRIST AREA, VERY CLOSE TO A VEIN. A FIVE INCH HEMATOMA APPEARED WITHIN MINUTES IN THE RIGHT WRIST AND THE SKIN WAS SCRAPED OFF BOTH WRISTS. SEVERAL BURN MARKS ARE ALSO VISIBLE ALL THE WAY UP TO THE BEND OF MY ARMS. THE POLICE CAME WITHIN MINUTES AND THEY BANDAGED MY WRISTS TO TRY TO STOP THE BLEEDING.

NHTSA complaint 11121766, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · 20,743 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO SOME STONE/BRICK STAIRS, UPON ENETERING A SHORT DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED BUT THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A BRUISE TO THE RIBS AND FACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. UPDATED 04/04/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT SUSPENSION SUBFRAME AND BODY SHELL ATTACHMENT WAS RUINED. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE SIDE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER'S

NHTSA complaint 10563275, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

fire · towed · 79,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 328XI. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE BLOWER MOTOR AND WIRING HARNESS BECAME OVERHEATED, MELTED, AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE GLOVE BOX AND THE PASSENGER SIDE CARPET. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR AND HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

NHTSA complaint 11097534. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE 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.

NHTSA complaint 11605345. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE 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.

NHTSA complaint 11601473. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE 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.

NHTSA complaint 11576919. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE 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.

NHTSA complaint 11575326. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

123,200 miles

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.

NHTSA complaint 11574889. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

133,000 miles

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

NHTSA complaint 11569990, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the BMW 328XI

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2015 14 2 —
2014 17 3 —
2013 27 2 —
2010 17 3 —

Other 2011 BMW models

328I 574 X5 263 528I 117 535I 112 X3 112 335I 97 550I 84 5 Series 81

Every BMW on this site — 249 vehicles, 484 recall campaigns and 2 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

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