2011 BMW 328I — Owner-Reported Problems

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-08-22 572 complaints · 7 recalls
Most-reported system: ENGINE (318 complaints · 55.6%)
Safety signals:
  • Crashes 18
  • Fires 25
  • Injuries 19
  • Deaths 0
Compare with 2010 →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Component Problem Distribution

Share of owner complaints filed for each vehicle system (unaffected by sales volume)

Component Problem Distribution ENGINE appears in 318 of 572 owner complaints (55.6%) in this vehicle snapshot. ENGINE: 318 complaints, 55.6% of reports ENGINE 318 · 55.6% · 15 fire reports AIR BAGS: 62 complaints, 10.8% of reports AIR BAGS 62 · 10.8% · 8 crash reports ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: 55 complaints, 9.6% of reports ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 55 · 9.6% · 1 crash reports 5 fire reports POWER TRAIN: 21 complaints, 3.7% of reports POWER TRAIN 21 · 3.7% · 1 crash reports 1 fire reports FUEL SYSTEM: 13 complaints, 2.3% of reports FUEL SYSTEM 13 · 2.3% VISIBILITY: 12 complaints, 2.1% of reports VISIBILITY 12 · 2.1% · 1 fire reports EXTERIOR LIGHTING: 8 complaints, 1.4% of reports EXTERIOR LIGHTING 8 · 1.4% STEERING: 7 complaints, 1.2% of reports STEERING 7 · 1.2% · 1 crash reports STRUCTURE: 7 complaints, 1.2% of reports STRUCTURE 7 · 1.2% · 1 fire reports UNKNOWN OR OTHER: 81 complaints, 14.2% of reports UNKNOWN OR OTHER 81 · 14.2% · 3 crash reports 5 fire reports 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER is an NHTSA classification artifact and is always listed last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
ENGINE 318 55.6% 0 crashes · 15 fires
AIR BAGS 62 10.8% 8 crashes · 0 fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 55 9.6% 1 crashes · 5 fires
POWER TRAIN 21 3.7% 1 crashes · 1 fires
FUEL SYSTEM 13 2.3% 0 crashes · 0 fires
VISIBILITY 12 2.1% 0 crashes · 1 fires
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 8 1.4% 0 crashes · 0 fires
STEERING 7 1.2% 1 crashes · 0 fires
STRUCTURE 7 1.2% 0 crashes · 1 fires
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 81 14.2% 3 crashes · 5 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-08-22 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Problem & Recall Timeline

Observed complaint volume and manufacturer recall actions over time

Problem & Recall Timeline Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Oct 2011; the first recall shown was reported in Sep 2011. 2011-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2012-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2012-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2012-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2012-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2013-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2013-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2013-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2013-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2014-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2014-Q2: 4 owner reports 4 2014-Q3: 7 owner reports 7 2014-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2015-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2015-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2015-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2015-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2016-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2016-Q2: 7 owner reports 7 2016-Q3: 9 owner reports 9 2016-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2017-Q1: 15 owner reports 15 2017-Q2: 6 owner reports 6 2017-Q3: 21 owner reports 21 2017-Q4: 17 owner reports 17 2018-Q1: 29 owner reports 29 2018-Q2: 31 owner reports 31 2018-Q3: 17 owner reports 17 2018-Q4: 16 owner reports 16 2019-Q1: 6 owner reports 6 2019-Q2: 9 owner reports 9 2019-Q3: 9 owner reports 9 2019-Q4: 7 owner reports 7 2020-Q1: 12 owner reports 12 2020-Q2: 6 owner reports 6 2020-Q3: 7 owner reports 7 2020-Q4: 7 owner reports 7 2021-Q1: 7 owner reports 7 2021-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2021-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 2021-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2022-Q1: 10 owner reports 10 2022-Q2: 22 owner reports 22 2022-Q3: 26 owner reports 26 2022-Q4: 24 owner reports 24 2023-Q1: 16 owner reports 16 2023-Q2: 12 owner reports 12 2023-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 2023-Q4: 17 owner reports 17 2024-Q1: 48 owner reports 48 2024-Q2: 49 owner reports 49 2024-Q3: 16 owner reports 16 2024-Q4: 8 owner reports 8 2025-Q1: 5 owner reports 5 2025-Q2: 5 owner reports 5 2025-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2025-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 2026-Q1: 8 owner reports 8 2026-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 Owner reports Sep 2011 Jul 2026 Recall campaign 11V476000 ◆ Recall campaign 11V476000 Recall campaign 13V044000 ◆ Recall campaign 13V044000 Recall campaign 14V176000 ◆ Recall campaign 14V176000 Recall campaign 17V676000 ◆ Recall campaign 17V676000 Recall campaign 17V683000 ◆ Recall campaign 17V683000 Recall campaign 20V017000 ◆ Recall campaign 20V017000 Recall campaign 24V513000 ◆ Recall campaign 24V513000
  • Campaign 14V176000 was reported 890 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 17V676000 was reported 1,868 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 17V683000 was reported 2,189 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 20V017000 was reported 2,130 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 24V513000 was reported 3,761 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2011-Q4 Owner reports 4
2012-Q1 Owner reports 1
2012-Q2 Owner reports 2
2012-Q3 Owner reports 1
2012-Q4 Owner reports 1
2013-Q1 Owner reports 2
2013-Q2 Owner reports 1
2013-Q3 Owner reports 1
2013-Q4 Owner reports 1
2014-Q1 Owner reports 3
2014-Q2 Owner reports 4
2014-Q3 Owner reports 7
2014-Q4 Owner reports 2
2015-Q1 Owner reports 1
2015-Q2 Owner reports 1
2015-Q3 Owner reports 2
2015-Q4 Owner reports 3
2016-Q1 Owner reports 3
2016-Q2 Owner reports 7
2016-Q3 Owner reports 9
2016-Q4 Owner reports 4
2017-Q1 Owner reports 15
2017-Q2 Owner reports 6
2017-Q3 Owner reports 21
2017-Q4 Owner reports 17
2018-Q1 Owner reports 29
2018-Q2 Owner reports 31
2018-Q3 Owner reports 17
2018-Q4 Owner reports 16
2019-Q1 Owner reports 6
2019-Q2 Owner reports 9
2019-Q3 Owner reports 9
2019-Q4 Owner reports 7
2020-Q1 Owner reports 12
2020-Q2 Owner reports 6
2020-Q3 Owner reports 7
2020-Q4 Owner reports 7
2021-Q1 Owner reports 7
2021-Q2 Owner reports 3
2021-Q3 Owner reports 4
2021-Q4 Owner reports 4
2022-Q1 Owner reports 10
2022-Q2 Owner reports 22
2022-Q3 Owner reports 26
2022-Q4 Owner reports 24
2023-Q1 Owner reports 16
2023-Q2 Owner reports 12
2023-Q3 Owner reports 5
2023-Q4 Owner reports 17
2024-Q1 Owner reports 48
2024-Q2 Owner reports 49
2024-Q3 Owner reports 16
2024-Q4 Owner reports 8
2025-Q1 Owner reports 5
2025-Q2 Owner reports 5
2025-Q3 Owner reports 1
2025-Q4 Owner reports 5
2026-Q1 Owner reports 8
2026-Q3 Owner reports 2
Recall campaign 1 11V476000
Recall campaign 1 13V044000
Recall campaign 1 14V176000
Recall campaign 1 17V676000
Recall campaign 1 17V683000
Recall campaign 1 20V017000
Recall campaign 1 24V513000
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-08-22 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Safety Recalls (7)

Official safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA

  1. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 11V476000

    Report date
    Component:
    POWER TRAIN
    Consequence:
    IF THE BOLTS LOOSEN, IT COULD LEAD TO A LOSS OF POWER TO THE FRONT WHEELS AND ULTIMATELY A VEHICLE BREAKDOWN, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
    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 RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 13V044000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
    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 at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 14V176000

    Report date
    Component:
    ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
    Consequence:
    If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. The recall began on September 24, 2014. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 17V676000

    Report date
    Component:
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
    Consequence:
    Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
    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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  5. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 17V683000

    Report date
    Component:
    ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
    Consequence:
    An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
    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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  6. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 20V017000

    Report date
    Component:
    AIR BAGS
    Consequence:
    An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
    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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  7. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 24V513000

    Report date
    Component:
    AIR BAGS
    Consequence:
    An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Complaint Narrative Explorer

Verbatim owner-reported defect narratives from NHTSA public records

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-08-21
Safety incident filters
Showing 0 of 572 complaints · page 1 of 23

No complaints match the current filters.
EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Data sourced from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Snapshot date: 2026-08-21.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources