CSR

BMW · NHTSA safety record

2011 BMW 335D

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

29

Complaints

0

Crashes

2

Fires

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2011 BMW 335D have filed 29 safety complaints with NHTSA between March 2017 and October 2023. The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 10 of them (34%). The typical failure was reported at 80,500 miles, the median across the 20 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 6 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (6)

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:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

19V472000 · June 19, 2019

The defect
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009 328i and 328xi, 2009-2011 335d, 2008-2012 M3 Coupe and M3 Convertible, and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. The connection of the positive battery cable at the fuse box terminal may degrade, resulting in an intermittent loss of electrical power.
The risk
A loss of electrical power can cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and secure the positive battery cable connector, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion of a previous recall, number 18V-314.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 16,641 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

18V314000 · May 14, 2018

The defect
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2010-2011 BMW 335d vehicles with diesel engines. The connection of the positive battery cable at the fuse box terminal may degrade over time, possibly resulting in an intermittent loss of electrical power.
The risk
A loss of electrical power to the vehicle can cause the vehicle to unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on June 29, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 6,591 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

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT

17V067000 · February 2, 2017

The defect
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 1 Series M Coupe and 135i Convertible vehicles, 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i, 335i, 335d, 335i Coupe, 335is Coupe, 335i Convertible, 335is Convertible, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535i Gran Turismo and 550i xDrive Gran Turismo vehicles and 2012 740i and 740Li vehicles. The rear driveshaft constant velocity (CV) joint on the affected vehicles may fatigue and break.
The risk
If the CV joint breaks, the vehicle may have a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear driveshaft CV joint and, based on its production date, will replace it, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 8,752 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 29.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10 34%
ENGINE 8 28%
AIR BAGS 7 24%
SEATS 5 17%
SEAT BELTS 4 14%
POWER TRAIN 3 10%
STEERING 3 10%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2 7%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2 7%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 1 3%
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL 1 3%
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER 1 3%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2018 at 12.

2017 2018 2023
2017 to 2023

In owners' own words

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

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

3 injured

Fine, white particles are blowing out of the cabin air ducts whenever the air conditioner or fan is turned on. My local BMW service center, Herb Chambers BMW of Boston, determined that the debris is flakes of aluminum from the deteriorated aluminum alloy fins of the AC evaporator coil and heater exchanger. The cabin air ducts were scoped and found to be intact with no intrusion of outside contaminants. The dealer determined that if not replaced, “the A/C Evaporator will fail…” and quoted the cost of repairs at $5,286.18. As I am sure you are aware, aluminum is a neurotoxin when absorbed by the body. The science is well established and can be easily sourced using Google Scholar: The fine

NHTSA complaint 11438480, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

fire · 125,196 miles

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE REDUCED POWER MESSAGE CAME ON, DROVE CAR FOR ANOTHER 15 MINUTES HOME, AT HOME IN THE DRIVEWAY OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW THAT THE ENGINE WAS GLOWING RED ON PASSENGER SIDE, VERY HOT UNDER THE HOOD, WITHIN MINUTES FLAMES IGNITED AND BLACK SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WE RAN FOR WATER HOSE AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. VEHICLE NOW HAS MULTIPLE ERROR MESSAGES DUE TO DAMAGED WIRE HARNESS ACCORDING TO BMW DEALER, WIRE HARNESS WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED BEFORE FULL UNDERSTANDING OF THE CONDITION OF THE CAR CAN BE DETERMINED.

NHTSA complaint 11024561. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

fire · 97,000 miles

WHILST DRIVING VEHICLE, BATTERY WARNING LIGHT, BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER STEERING, AND WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE. AFTER VISIT TO DEALERSHIP, APPEARS THAT HARMONIC BALANCER WAS COMPLETELY BROKEN OFF, IN TURN, TAKING OUT VARIOUS BELTS, INCLUDING THE BELTS THAT POWER A/C AND MOST IMPORTANTLY POWER STEERING. BMW ALREADY REPLACED THESE BELTS TWICE, UNDER WARRANTY. UNFORTUNATELY, IT APPEARS THE HARMONIC BALANCER APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE FOR MANY OF THE 335D VEHICLES, AS WELL AS FOR X5 SAVS, EQUIPPED WITH SAME ENGINE. COMPLETE LOSS OF POWERSTEERING, IS AN UNACCEPTABLE DANGER, IN PARTICULAR FOR A PART THAT APPEARS TO BE WEAK (DESIGN FLAW), AS DOCUMENTED BY OTHER BMW 335D

NHTSA complaint 11110965, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
- The component that has failed is the front passenger seat occupancy sensor, as indicated by an OBDII scan showing fault code 93C3, seat-occupancy detector, passenger. - The safety of any person in the front passenger seat is compromised because the passenger airbag will not deploy while this sensor is not operating properly, as indicated by the "passenger airbag off" light which is now always illuminated. The vehicle has not been in an accident and nobody has been injured as a result. - The problem has been confirmed by an independent service center. - The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance, etc. - There is a restraint system malfunction warning message

NHTSA complaint 11548697, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

119,000 miles

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 335D. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed on a 6-hour trip, there was thick fumes coming into the cabin of the vehicle from the exhaust. The contact stated that he drove the vehicle to the dealer and the vehicle was diagnosed with a clogged DEF filter. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacture was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 119,000.

NHTSA complaint 11524811. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
YEARS OF MY 335D OVERHEATING AND STALLING AND DEALER CANT FIGURE OUT THE ISSUE. I’VE REPLACED INJECTORS, DONE CARBON BLASTING, REPLACED NOX SENSOR, REPLACED WHOLE BATTERY/ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. JUST RECENTLY REPLACED THE ALL BELTS, HOSES, AND EGR MODULE TO AVOID CATASTROPHIC RESULTS. AFTER REMOVING THE COMPONENTS YOU CAN SEE FLUIDS GOT MIXED AND EVEN GOT INTO MY TURBO ALL BECAUSE OF THE EGR WAS LEAKING. SO MANY IDENTICAL ISSUES RESULTED IN RECALLS FROM BMW FOR ALMOST EVERY SINGLE MODEL FROM EARLY 2000S TO NEW MODELS DUE TO FAULTY EGRS, EXCEPT THE 2011 335D. AND OF THE NEARLY 1 MILLION VEHICLES RECALLED BY BMW THIS YEAR ALONE, ONLY THE 2011 335D IS NOT RECALLED FOR FAULTY PCV AND EGR WHICH

NHTSA complaint 11485382, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
IT STARTED MAY, 2017, WHEN MY 335D WAS IDLING ROUGH AND JERKED AS I WAS DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED. I TOOK IT INTO CREVIER BMW IN SANTA ANA. THE CAR HAD 53,000 MILES AND THEY SAID IT HAD CARBON BUILD UP ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND #1 & 5 FUEL INJECTOR. THEY REPLACED THE FUEL INJECTORS AND WALNUT BLAST THE MANIFOLD. SWIRL PORTS, EGR AND THROTTLE HOUSING CLEANED AS WELL. APR, 2018 58,000 MILES, FAULTY ACTIVE TANK TEMPERATURE SENSOR REPLACED. AUG, 2018 60,000 MILES, REPLACED FAULTY FUEL INJECTORS #2,3,4,5 AND FAULTY CAM SENSOR. JAN, 2019 64,000 CAR RUNNING ROUGH AT IDLE. STARTED USING FUEL INJECTOR CLEANER IN FUEL TANK. THIS STOPPED THE ROUGH IDLE. CAR RUNS ROUGH EVERY TIME IF I DON'T ADD THE

NHTSA complaint 11391136, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

115,000 miles

PASSENGER AIRBAG MALFUNCTION, SEAT SENSITIVITY IS TOUCHY, REPORTS AN OCCUPANT WHEN EMPTY AND GIVES AN OCCASIONAL MALFUNCTION WARNING, AT ANY SPEED, ANY TIME.

NHTSA complaint 11308589. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the BMW 335D

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2010 10 5

Other 2011 BMW models

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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