2011 Bmw 335D
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2011 Bmw 335D has 51 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.6x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is electrical problems (20% of all complaints), specifically: twice i've lost power on the freeway due to what i believe is the positive battery cable losing connection to the front fuse box. even though this has been recalled in other 2008 to 2011 3-series models bmw has refused my requests to repair this under recall.. ⚠️ 3 fire reports filed.
51
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
0.6x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems
ELECTRICAL
10 complaints- • TWICE I'VE LOST POWER ON THE FREEWAY DUE TO WHAT I BELIEVE IS THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE LOSING CONNECTION TO THE FRONT FUSE BOX. EVEN THOUGH THIS HAS BEEN RECALLED IN OTHER 2008 TO 2011 3-SERIES MODELS BMW HAS REFUSED MY REQUESTS TO REPAIR THIS UNDER RECALL.
- • BLOWER MOTOR WIRING: THIS RECALL INVOLVES THE WIRING FOR THE SYSTEM, KNOWN AS THE BLOWER-MOTOR, THAT CONTROLS AIR FLOW FOR THE HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM. OVER TIME, THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE WIRING AND THIS SYSTEM COULD DETERIORATE AND, IN RARE CASES, COULD LEAD TO OVERHEATING. THE BLOWER
- • VEHICLE WILL OCCASIONALLY LOSE ALL ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER RESEARCH I FOUND BMW RECALLS ON THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE AND ITS CONNECTION BEHIND THE FUSE BOX. I ACCESSED MY CABLE BEHIND THE FUSE BOX AND MOVED THE CABLE A SMALL AMOUNT AND POWER WAS RESTORED. I ASSUMED MY VE
“TWICE I'VE LOST POWER ON THE FREEWAY DUE TO WHAT I BELIEVE IS THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE LOSING CONNECTION TO THE FRONT FUSE BOX. EVEN THOUGH THIS HAS BEEN RECALLED IN OTHER 2008 TO 2011 3-SERIES MODELS BMW HAS REFUSED MY REQUESTS TO REPAIR THIS UNDER RECALL.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
AIR BAGS
9 complaints- • I HAVE A PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER.
- • TAKATA. RESOLUTION BY CLOSEST BMW DEALER, BMW OF BELLEVUE, WASHINGTON, IS INDICATING A MAY 2018 DATE FOR REPLACEMENT. I FEEL THAT THIS IS AN INORDINATELY EXTENDED TIME ON TOP OF THE ALREADY LONG TIME FOR THE REPLACEMENT PRODUCT.
- • I HAVE A PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER. MY CAR HAS SPORT SEATS THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED IN A PREVIOUS CAMPAIGN DUE TO THE SEAT MAT SENSOR FAILURE. MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. BMW QUOTED ME A REPLACEMENT SEAT MAT USING THE SAME RECALLED PRODUCT FROM 2013
“I HAVE A PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
SEATS/RESTRAINTS
9 complaints- • I HAVE A PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER.
- • I HAVE A PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER.
- • I HAVE A PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER. MY CAR HAS SPORT SEATS THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLED IN A PREVIOUS CAMPAIGN DUE TO THE SEAT MAT SENSOR FAILURE. MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. BMW QUOTED ME A REPLACEMENT SEAT MAT USING THE SAME RECALLED PRODUCT FROM 2013
“I HAVE A PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
ENGINE
8 complaints- • 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
- • CAR STALLED MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING. EVERY TIME GOT LUCK AND NO ONE HIT ME FROM BEHIND. DEALER REPLACED ENGINE, DIESEL PUMP AND NOW REPORTED ALL INJECTORS FAILED.
- • CAR STALLED MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING. EACH TIME IT WAS A SUDDEN DEATH WHILE DRIVING. EVERY TIME GOT LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT FOLLOWED BY A TRUCK AND NO ONE HIT ME FROM BEHIND. DEALER REPLACED ENGINE EARLIER, DIESEL PUMP AND NOW DEALER SAID REPORTED ALL INJECTORS FAILED. HISTORY: 1/5/17 - CAR ST
“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”
— NHTSA complaint filing
FUEL SYSTEM
4 complaints- • LESS THAN 70K MILES AND HAD TO REPLACE MANIFOLD, INJECTORS ETC DUE TO EXCESS CARBON BMW NEEDS TO DO MORE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF POLLUTION ON THESE VEHICLES
- • 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 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
“LESS THAN 70K MILES AND HAD TO REPLACE MANIFOLD, INJECTORS ETC DUE TO EXCESS CARBON BMW NEEDS TO DO MORE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF POLLUTION ON THESE VEHICLES”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 51 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ELECTRICAL: TWICE I'VE LOST POWER ON THE FREEWAY DUE TO WHAT I BELIEVE IS THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE LOSING CONNECTION TO THE FRONT FUSE BOX. EVEN THOUGH THIS HAS BEEN RECALLED IN OTHER 2008 TO 2011 3-SERIES MODELS BMW HAS REFUSED MY REQUESTS TO REPAIR THIS UNDER RECALL.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐AIR BAGS: I HAVE A PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐SEATS/RESTRAINTS: I HAVE A PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Bmw 335D — 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
- 51
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 3
- Crash reports
- 0
- Injury reports
- 3
- Segment avg
- 80
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2011 Bmw 335D