2011 Bmw 335IS
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2011 Bmw 335IS has 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 12. The most common issue is engine problems (50% of all complaints), specifically: since i had the car at 32k miles. the vehicle would give me the low oil light way before the oil change intervals of 15k. this ultimately lead to catastrophic engine failure. it spun a cam shaft bearing. this has lead to having to replacement of he entire engine with a used one.. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year.
12
Total Complaints
2
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
1.0x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 4 of 4)
ENGINE
6 complaints- • SINCE I HAD THE CAR AT 32K MILES. THE VEHICLE WOULD GIVE ME THE LOW OIL LIGHT WAY BEFORE THE OIL CHANGE INTERVALS OF 15K. THIS ULTIMATELY LEAD TO CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. IT SPUN A CAM SHAFT BEARING. THIS HAS LEAD TO HAVING TO REPLACEMENT OF HE ENTIRE ENGINE WITH A USED ONE.
- • THE BELT ON MY CAR BROKE OFF AND I HAD MY CAR TOWED INTO THE MECHANIC SHOP. ONCE IT WAS LOOKED AT IT WAS SAID TO HAVE JUMPED TIME AND I HAD AN ENGINE MALFUNCTION THAT IS A RECALL DO TO BMW. MY ENGINE IS NO LONGER WORKING AND I AM LEFT WITH PAYING A CAR NOTE ON A BMW THAT HAS AN ENGINE THAT JUMPED TI
- • WATER PUMP FAILURE OCCURRED AT 72,000 MILES. PART IS A COSTLY REPAIR, AND BMW WILL QUOTE $1800 TO REPLACE. CAR WARNING ON IDRIVE SYSTEM STATED 'ENGINE TOO HOT, PULL OVER AND SHUT ENGINE OFF.' LOSS OF POWER AT POTENTIAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS IS A SAFETY CONCERN.
“SINCE I HAD THE CAR AT 32K MILES. THE VEHICLE WOULD GIVE ME THE LOW OIL LIGHT WAY BEFORE THE OIL CHANGE INTERVALS OF 15K. THIS ULTIMATELY LEAD TO CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. IT SPUN A CAM SHAFT BEARING. THIS HAS LEAD TO HAVING TO REPLACEMENT OF HE ENTIRE ENGINE WITH A USED ONE.”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Recalls (2)
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.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Bmw 335IS
Live EIA pricesBased 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 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Bmw 335IS
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 335IS 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 335IS, 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 12 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ENGINE: SINCE I HAD THE CAR AT 32K MILES. THE VEHICLE WOULD GIVE ME THE LOW OIL LIGHT WAY BEFORE THE OIL CHANGE INTERVALS OF 15K. THIS ULTIMATELY LEAD TO CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. IT SPUN A CAM SHAFT BEARING. THIS HAS LEAD TO HAVING TO REPLACEMENT OF HE ENTIRE ENGINE WITH A USED ONE.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐AIR BAGS: TAKATA RECALL. A FIX FOR RECALL CAMPAIGN 16V-071 ISSUED IN MARCH 2016 BY BMW AGAINST THIS VIN HAS YET TO MATERIALIZE. BMW CLEARLY DOESN'T TAKE SERIOUSLY THEIR OBLIGATION TO REPAIR THIS POTENTIALLY FATAL FLAW.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: I had the recall repair for the HVAC harness done in 2018, and the recall fix failed in 6/22, I took it into BMW and they determined there was a short, I do not know why a replacement part failed so soon in my eyes after being replaced for a recall. I had to pay $670 to fix this issue from a "free"
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TIRES: TIRES - I HAVE 1,500 MILES OR SO ON THEM (NEW). THEY WAS INSTALLED BY THEM BMW DEALERSHIP AS I WAS PURCHASING THE CAR. I HAD THE CARS SHIPPED HERE TO MD. DRIVING THE CAR LOCALLY AFTER SITTING IN THE GARAGE, IT STARTED TO MAKE A TERRIBLE NOISE ABOVE 40 MPH AND WOULD GET WORSE UP TO 60 MPH THAT'S AS F
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Bmw dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Bmw 335IS — 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
- 12
- Recalls
- 2
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 0
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 12
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2011 Bmw 335IS