2011 BMW 328I
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 31 |
| 1997 | 25 |
| 1998 | 26 |
| 1999 | 98 |
| 2000 | 112 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 0 |
| 2003 | 0 |
| 2004 | 0 |
| 2005 | 0 |
| 2006 | 0 |
| 2007 | 395 |
| 2008 | 239 |
| 2009 | 193 |
| 2010 | 153 |
| 2011 | 572 |
| 2012 | 130 |
| 2013 | 255 |
| 2014 | 150 |
| 2015 | 121 |
| 2016 | 55 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
33% of complaints: engine — 189 distinct reports on file.
FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
The contact owned a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact stated that the vehicle was at an independent mechanic having minor body repairs completed; however, while the vehicle was being test driven, the engine caught on fire.
NHTSA ODI report, 20240209
MY SON'S BMW (2011 BMW 328I XDRIVE) SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED ON SEP 4 2017 WHILE HE WAS DRIVING BACK FROM WORK AT 4 AM ON SUNRISE HIGHWAY NY. LUCKILY HE NOTICED SPARKS AND SMOKE AND PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT. THE CAR FULLY BURNT WITHIN 30 MINUTES.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171106
28% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 161 distinct reports on file.
FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO RETRIEVE SOMETHING FROM THE TRUNK WHEN HER LEG WAS BURNED FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE INCIDENT. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20111102
1.) VEHICLE HAD VERY ROUGH IDLE WHILE IDLING IN NEUTRAL AT STOP LIGHT (0 MPH). TACHOMETER WAS FLUCTUATING RAPIDLY BETWEEN 500 AND 900 RPM AND THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING VIOLENTLY.
NHTSA ODI report, 20111006
21% of complaints: electrical system — 122 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
MY SON'S BMW (2011 BMW 328I XDRIVE) SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED ON SEP 4 2017 WHILE HE WAS DRIVING BACK FROM WORK AT 4 AM ON SUNRISE HIGHWAY NY. LUCKILY HE NOTICED SPARKS AND SMOKE AND PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT. THE CAR FULLY BURNT WITHIN 30 MINUTES.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171106
16% of complaints: air bags — 90 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY4% of complaints: power train — 24 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
1.) VEHICLE HAD VERY ROUGH IDLE WHILE IDLING IN NEUTRAL AT STOP LIGHT (0 MPH). TACHOMETER WAS FLUCTUATING RAPIDLY BETWEEN 500 AND 900 RPM AND THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING VIOLENTLY.
NHTSA ODI report, 20111006
SAFETY TIMELINE
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 328I XDRIVE AND 335I XDRIVE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 8, 2011, THROUGH JULY 29, 2011. THE FRONT DRIVESHAFT ATTACHMENT BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTEN
Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT DRIVESHAFT ATTACHMENT BOLTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER REL
Campaign 11V476000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW a
Campaign 13V044000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i...
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge.
Campaign 14V176000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018.
Campaign 17V683000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available.
Campaign 17V676000 — check if this car was fixed
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,...
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 20V017000 — check if this car was fixed
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 24V513000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2011 BMW 328I — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine issues (189 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (161 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (122 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 11V476000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 13V044000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V176000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V683000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V676000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V017000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 24V513000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2011 BMW 328I reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2011 BMW 328I is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2011 BMW 328I?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2011 BMW 328I have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.