Is the 2011 BMW 328i a bad year?
579 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 356, 6.1× a quiet 328i year.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2011 BMW 328i were filed between 80k and 134k miles. You're at 102,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2011 328i owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 102,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 355 (61%) | 80k–134k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 130 (22%) | 68k–110k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 91 (16%) | 53k–94k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 25 (4%) | 37k–96k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Fuel system | 20 (3%) | 53k–100k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Exterior lighting | 19 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 14 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 12 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 11 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seats | 11 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exhaust | 10 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 10 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Stability control | 10 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 10 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 102,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 579 complaints: 19 mention a crash · 26 mention a fire · 15 report an injury · 47 say the car was towed.
19 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
My issue is exactly as described in recall campaign 14V-176, also listed as si B11 07 14. It is a faulty vanos unit with failing bolts.
I was on my way to my aunt's funeral when the car stalled in the left turn lane at a busy intersection in the city (Denver; evans and university) and would not start again.
Recently I drove my car and the engine started to make a high pitched noise. I smelled a gasy burning smell coming from the car.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 102,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2011 BMW 328i: 7
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. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit. 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.
The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat. Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break. If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The front driveshaft attachment bolts may not have been tightened to specification. If the bolts were not tightened to specification, they may become loose. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from BMW: 103
Repair instructions BMW sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2011 BMW 328i. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Power Reduction, FC2A82 Intake VANOS and/or FC2A87 Exhaust VANOS Camshaft Fault: The - Service Engine Soon
N54T engine - inspect and replace injector(S)
65279;Power Reduction, FC 2A82 Intake VANOS and/or FC 2A87 Exhaust VANOS Camshaft Faults are Stored in DME
N55 Engine: Various Faults Stored in DME Related to VANOS and Camshaft Position
Neighbouring years
2010 328i: 155 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2012 328i: 130 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine.
Every BMW 328i year
2000 · 2001 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · All 328i years side by side
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Questions
Is the 2011 BMW 328i a bad year?
579 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 356, 6.1× a quiet 328i year. At 102,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2011 BMW 328i were filed between 80k and 134k miles. You're at 102,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 BMW 328i?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (355), electrical system (130), air bags (91), transmission and drivetrain (25), fuel system (20). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 80k–134k miles.
How many recalls does the 2011 BMW 328i have?
7 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 24V-513), Air bags (NHTSA 20V-017), Exhaust (NHTSA 17V-683), Electrical system (NHTSA 17V-676) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.