VehicleVerdict

2011 BMW 335d problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 51 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.8 times the median 335d year — the 2011 model ranks #1 of 3 335d years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (11), airbags (9), and engine (8), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

51

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2011 compare to other 335d years?

335d NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted51 complaints2009: 6 complaints2010: 18 complaints2011: 51 complaints
335d NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 335d years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 BMW 335d problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1122%
Airbags918%
Engine816%
Seats510%
Seat Belts48%
Fuel System48%
Steering36%
Transmission36%
Other24%
Speed Control12%
Tires & Wheels12%

Does the 2011 BMW 335d have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

24V513000AirbagsJuly 3, 2024 · 394,029 units

Defect

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. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.

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.

20V017000AirbagsJanuary 15, 2020 · 59,965 units

Defect

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.

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.

19V472000Electrical SystemJune 19, 2019 · 16,641 units

Defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009 328i and 328xi, 2009-2011 335d, 2008-2012 M3 Coupe and M3 Convertible, and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. The connection of the positive battery cable at the fuse box terminal may degrade, resulting in an intermittent loss of electrical power.

Consequence

A loss of electrical power can cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and secure the positive battery cable connector, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion of a previous recall, number 18V-314.

18V314000Electrical SystemMay 14, 2018 · 6,591 units

Defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2010-2011 BMW 335d vehicles with diesel engines. The connection of the positive battery cable at the fuse box terminal may degrade over time, possibly resulting in an intermittent loss of electrical power.

Consequence

A loss of electrical power to the vehicle can cause the vehicle to 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 June 29, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

17V676000Electrical SystemOctober 25, 2017 · 702,965 units

Defect

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. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.

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.

17V067000TransmissionFebruary 2, 2017 · 8,752 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHILST DRIVING VEHICLE, BATTERY WARNING LIGHT, BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER STEERING, AND WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE. AFTER VISIT TO DEALERSHIP, APPEARS THAT HARMONIC BALANCER WAS COMPLETELY BROKEN OFF, IN TURN, TAKING OUT VARIOUS BELTS, INCLUDING THE BELTS THAT POWER A/C AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 29, 2018 · fire

“THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT SENSOR MALFUNCTIONS AND SETS OFF THE WARNING SOUND AS IF SOMEONE IS SITING IN THE SEAT WHEN NOBODY OR NOTHING IS IN THE SEAT. THIS MAY CAUSE AIRBAG MALFUNCTIONS OR HAVE IT NOT DEPLOY. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE THE FIRST DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR SEVERAL WEEKS AGO. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · December 18, 2019

“WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE REDUCED POWER MESSAGE CAME ON, DROVE CAR FOR ANOTHER 15 MINUTES HOME, AT HOME IN THE DRIVEWAY OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW THAT THE ENGINE WAS GLOWING RED ON PASSENGER SIDE, VERY HOT UNDER THE HOOD, WITHIN MINUTES FLAMES IGNITED AND BLACK SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WE RAN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 23, 2017 · fire

“INTERMITTENT FAULT ON PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING PASSENGER AIRBAG AND BELT TENSIONER. MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR EARLIER E90 MODELS WITH THE SPORT SEATS. FIRST FAULT OCCURRED WITH APPROXIMATELY 118,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND HAS HAPPENED OCCASIONALLY FOR THE LAST 10,000…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · January 20, 2018

“The contact owns a 2011 BMW 335D. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed on a 6-hour trip, there was thick fumes coming into the cabin of the vehicle from the exhaust. The contact stated that he drove the vehicle to the dealer and the vehicle was diagnosed with a…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 16, 2023

2011 BMW 335d — common questions

Is the 2011 BMW 335d reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 51 complaints put the 2011 model at #1 of 3 335d years. It is one of the 335d years to avoid.

What are the most common 2011 335d problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (11 complaints), airbags (9 complaints), engine (8 complaints).

Does the 2011 BMW 335d have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 BMW 335d. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which BMW 335d years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 335d years to avoid are 2011. The cleanest record among 335d years belongs to 2009.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.