BestCarRank
Bmw

2011 Bmw 335XI

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Bmw 335XI has 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.1x the segment average of 14. The most common issue is air bags problems (17% of all complaints), specifically: takata recall-recall campaign no. 16v-071: driver's front air bag module i was recently sold a vehicle that has this recalled part and was not made aware of the recall until the day i went to pick up my vehicle. i was then told i couldnt take the car home and also i was not provided a loaner vehi. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.

1 fire report

29

Total Complaints

3

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

2.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

5 complaints
17%
  • TAKATA RECALL-RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 16V-071: DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG MODULE I WAS RECENTLY SOLD A VEHICLE THAT HAS THIS RECALLED PART AND WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL UNTIL THE DAY I WENT TO PICK UP MY VEHICLE. I WAS THEN TOLD I COULDNT TAKE THE CAR HOME AND ALSO I WAS NOT PROVIDED A LOANER VEHI
  • I PURCHASED MY CAR WITH THE CONFIDENCE THAT I WAS PURCHASING A SUPERIOR PRODUCT TO MY DISAPPOINTMENT WHEN I WENT TO SALE THIS VEHICLE I WAS GIVEN LESS FOR THE SALE OF MY CAR DUE TO THIS RECALL I COULD NOT GET THE AIRBAG REPLACED SO I WAS GIVEN LESS FOR MY CAR DUE TO THIS RECALL MY DAMAGES ARE $3000.
  • DRIVER'S FRONT AIRBAG RECALL # 16V071 MANUFACTURERS STILL DO NOT HAVE PARTS OR A SOLUTION TO REMEDY THIS ISSUE ACCORDING TO BMW DEALERSHIPS BMW HOUSTON NORTH AND BMW THE WOODLANDS.
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

TAKATA RECALL-RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 16V-071: DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG MODULE I WAS RECENTLY SOLD A VEHICLE THAT HAS THIS RECALLED PART AND WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL UNTIL THE DAY I WENT TO PICK UP MY VEHICLE. I WAS THEN TOLD I COULDNT TAKE THE CAR HOME AND ALSO I WAS NOT PROVIDED A LOANER VEHI

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Bmw 335XI

Based on 21 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 37K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
6
30-60K
7
60-100K
6
100-150K
2
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 (3)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE15/01/2020

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 335XI

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 335XI 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 335XI, 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

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500
FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)
$500
WHEELS(~50K mi)
$500
BRAKES(~50K mi)
$500
SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)
$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 29 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • AIR BAGS: TAKATA RECALL-RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 16V-071: DRIVER'S FRONT AIR BAG MODULE I WAS RECENTLY SOLD A VEHICLE THAT HAS THIS RECALLED PART AND WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL UNTIL THE DAY I WENT TO PICK UP MY VEHICLE. I WAS THEN TOLD I COULDNT TAKE THE CAR HOME AND ALSO I WAS NOT PROVIDED A LOANER VEHI

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

  • FUEL SYSTEM: I ORDERED A BRAND NEW 2011 BMW 335I XDRIVE AND IT WAS DELIVERED ON APRIL 19, 2010. THE 2011 MODEL YEAR CAME OUT EARLY. ON FEB 20, 2012 I HAD A DIFFICULT TIME STARTING THE ENGINE AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT...IT WOULD TAKE TOO LONG TO START, CRANKING FOR A LONG TIME. BROUGHT IT TO BMW IN WARWICK RI AND

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

  • WHEELS: ON MONDAY APRIL 9, 2012 WHILE TRAVELING ON HAGEDORN ROAD IN EAST LANSING, MI, (APPROXIMATELY 3800 HAGEDORN ROAD) MY BMW HIT A POTHOLE THAT RESULTED IN A SPLIT REAR RIM, DAMAGED FRONT RIM AND BLOWN TIRE WHILE TRAVELING AT 35 MPH. THE POTHOLE WAS OF AN 'AVERAGE' DEPTH FOR MICHIGAN. (PICTURES CAN BE P

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

  • BRAKES: THE ENGINE RANDOMLY SHUTS DOWN. THIS IS ACCOMPANIED BY LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND REDUCED BRAKING ABILITY. THIS INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED THREE TIMES. THE CAR HAS PROVIDED NO WARNING OR INDICATOR LIGHTS. BMW SERVICE WAS MADE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT THEY FAILED TO REPRODUCE IT. THE

    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 335XI — 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
29
Recalls
3
Fire reports
1
Crash reports
0
Injury reports
0
Segment avg
14

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2011 Bmw 335XI