2011 Bmw 328XI
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2011 Bmw 328XI has 99 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 3.4x the segment average of 29. The most common issue is engine problems (33% of all complaints), specifically: driving home from work on monday 07/14/14 at approximately 5:30pm and suddenly my car began to shake and the steering wheel locked. i could hear the engine shut down and the car came to a complete stop. i was able to get the car over to the side of the road and thankfully i was not on the highway.. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 6 fire reports filed.
99
Total Complaints
3
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
3.4x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
ENGINE
33 complaints- • DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON MONDAY 07/14/14 AT APPROXIMATELY 5:30PM AND SUDDENLY MY CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. I COULD HEAR THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THANKFULLY I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY.
- • A LETTER FROM BMW CAME IN JUNE 2014 STATING THAT MY VEHICLE IS EFFECTED FOR IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL AND THAT I WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN THE PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE TO HAVE IT FIXED. THE RECALL WAS FOR VANOS ASSEMBLY BOLTS. THE LETTER STATES THAT I MAY HEAR INCREASED NOISE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT MAY COME O
- • AFTER THE CAR IS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE THE CAR, IT HESITATES TO MOVE EVEN AFTER I PUSH THE GAS PEDAL. THE CAR STRUGGLES TO MOVE FORWARD AND AFTER PRESSING IN HARD IT MOVES. THE INITIAL DELAY OR THE INITIAL RESPONSE TIME IS HUGE. THE TIME LAG IS LARGE. THE ENGINE MAKES N
“DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON MONDAY 07/14/14 AT APPROXIMATELY 5:30PM AND SUDDENLY MY CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. I COULD HEAR THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THANKFULLY I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2011 Bmw 328XI
Based on 73 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 77K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 100-150K miles range.
SPEED CONTROL
AIR BAGS
ENGINE
ELECTRICAL
FUEL SYSTEM
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (3)
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.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Bmw 328XI
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Bmw 328XI Service Intervals
Condition-Based Service (CBS) tells you exactly when service is due. Transmission fluid was labeled 'lifetime' but many owners service at 60K-100K.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Bmw New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
Corrosion is unlimited miles for 12 years
These are the terms for a new Bmw. If you're buying a used 2011 328XI, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Bmw dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 99 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ENGINE: DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON MONDAY 07/14/14 AT APPROXIMATELY 5:30PM AND SUDDENLY MY CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. I COULD HEAR THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THANKFULLY I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: I REMEMBER DRIVING HOME ON THE INTERSTATE AND SMELLING A BURNING SMELL. I HAD THE WINDOWS OPEN BUT IT DIDN'T SEEM LIKE IT WAS COMING FROM OUTSIDE. LATER, THE CAR'S HVAC BLOWER FAN STOPPED WORKING. DURING REPAIR, THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR AND THE HARNESS THAT PLUGS INTO IT WERE FOUND TO BE BADLY B
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐AIR BAGS: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐FUEL SYSTEM: TODAY I WAS ALMOST KILLED, AND CAUSED MANY OTHER MOTORIST A GREAT DEAL OF PANIC. DRIVING IN THE LEFT LANE AT ABOUT 65-70 MPH MY 2011 328XI SUDDENLY STARTED TO LOOSE POWER. AS I ATTEMPTED TO GET ACROSS FIVE LANES TO THE SHOULDER, I WAS NEARLY HIT NUMEROUS TIMES AS DRIVERS AROUND ME HAD BRAKE HARD OR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Bmw dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Bmw 328XI — Year Comparison
How does 2011 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
Full years-to-avoid analysis →NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 99
- Recalls
- 3
- Fire reports
- 6
- Crash reports
- 7
- Injury reports
- 5
- Segment avg
- 29
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2011 Bmw 328XI