BestCarRank
Bmw

2011 Bmw 335I

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2011 Bmw 335I has 136 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.3x the segment average of 58. The most common issue is engine problems (26% of all complaints), specifically: i would formally like to report a major safety concern i have regarding my new 2011 bmw 335is convertible. from a standstill without modifying any of the default configurations on the car, flooring the gas pedal, the car lurches forward (as expected) and then power completely cuts out for a second . There are 7 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 2 crash reports 2 injuries

136

Total Complaints

7

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

2.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

35 complaints
26%
  • I WOULD FORMALLY LIKE TO REPORT A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN I HAVE REGARDING MY NEW 2011 BMW 335IS CONVERTIBLE. FROM A STANDSTILL WITHOUT MODIFYING ANY OF THE DEFAULT CONFIGURATIONS ON THE CAR, FLOORING THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD (AS EXPECTED) AND THEN POWER COMPLETELY CUTS OUT FOR A SECOND
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN THROUGH FOUR INCHES OF WATER WHEN IT STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE HYDRO LOCK FAILED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS TAKING TOO LONG TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V176000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

I WOULD FORMALLY LIKE TO REPORT A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN I HAVE REGARDING MY NEW 2011 BMW 335IS CONVERTIBLE. FROM A STANDSTILL WITHOUT MODIFYING ANY OF THE DEFAULT CONFIGURATIONS ON THE CAR, FLOORING THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD (AS EXPECTED) AND THEN POWER COMPLETELY CUTS OUT FOR A SECOND

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Bmw 335I

Based on 73 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 50K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
15
30-60K
30
60-100K
16
100-150K
11
150-200K
0
200K+
1

ELECTRICAL

Reported earliermedian 62K mi · 10 reports
0-30K
4
30-60K
1
60-100K
3
100-150K
2
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 46K mi · 21 reports
0-30K
5
30-60K
8
60-100K
3
100-150K
4
150-200K
0
200K+
1

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 50K mi · 9 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
5
60-100K
3
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 49K mi · 8 reports
0-30K
0
30-60K
5
60-100K
2
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 45K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
2
60-100K
1
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

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 (7)

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT02/02/2017

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.

Risk: If the CV joint breaks, the vehicle may have a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Bmw 335I

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,182
Per month
$182
Per mile
18.2¢
MPG
22
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$2,527/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,715/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Bmw 335I

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,821
Full coverage / month
$152
Liability only / year
$710
vs US avg
+9%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age0.85x
= Full coverage estimate$1821

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Bmw 335I Service Intervals

Oil change
10K mi / 12 mo
Tire rotation
10K mi
Brake fluid
24 months
Transmission fluid
60K mi
Engine coolant
100K mi
Spark plugs
60K mi
Cabin air filter
15K mi
Engine air filter
30K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
60K mi

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

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
4 yr / 50K mi
Powertrain
4 yr / 50K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
12 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
4 yr / unlimited mi

Corrosion is unlimited miles for 12 years

These are the terms for a new Bmw. If you're buying a used 2011 335I, 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

ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 136 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • ENGINE: I WOULD FORMALLY LIKE TO REPORT A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN I HAVE REGARDING MY NEW 2011 BMW 335IS CONVERTIBLE. FROM A STANDSTILL WITHOUT MODIFYING ANY OF THE DEFAULT CONFIGURATIONS ON THE CAR, FLOORING THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD (AS EXPECTED) AND THEN POWER COMPLETELY CUTS OUT FOR A SECOND

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • AIR BAGS: TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS), BUT THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ELECTRICAL: BMW OF NORTH AMERICA REFERENCE: BMW 335I CABRIO VIN: [XXXX] I WOULD LIKE TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION THE RESPONSE OF ADVANTAGE BMW, HOUSTON, TEXAS IN ADDRESSING RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 13V-044: POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM (NOTICE MAILED BY BMW OF NORTH AMERICA). THIS NOTIFICATION ARRIVED AT MY HOME [X

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • FUEL SYSTEM: UPON DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED (70+MPH) THE CAR SLOWED DOWN (ENGINE BRAKING) TO APPROX 40MPH INSTANTLY. THE CARS BEHIND ME WERE FORCED TO BRAKE FORCEFULLY. AN ACCIDENT WAS AVOIDED BECAUSE IT WAS SUNDAY MORNING AND LIGHT TRAFFIC. THE CAR DISPLAYED "ENGINE MALFUNCTION-DRIVE TO THE DEALERSHIP". THE CAR

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • RECALLS: Verify all 7 recalls have been completed — free at any Bmw dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
136
Recalls
7
Fire reports
2
Crash reports
2
Injury reports
2
Segment avg
58

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2011 Bmw 335I