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EnginePart report

2011 BMW 328I Engine Problems

Complaints
194about this part
Share
34%of 577 total for the year
Median mileage
88,995miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 194 complaints about the engine of the 2011 BMW 328I, 34% of the 577 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 88,995 miles. 11 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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. I brought it to a mechanic and he said bolts had come lose in the engine. I asked if it was something I had done and he said he had seen it with many Bmw cars out of nowhere.”

NHTSA complaint #11387709, filed 2021-01, 133,000 miles

“Was driving home on the interstate at 60-65mph and suddenly the car began to slow down and loose power. No indication that something was wrong until I pulled off the roadway and shut the vehicle off. I exited the vehicle raised the hood. Next, I noticed all the engine oil had began draining out of the vehicle into the ground.”

NHTSA complaint #11253052, filed 2019-09, 172,000 miles

“My Bmw does not idle smooth , it hesitates like it is choking on gas, its idle gauge goes from 0 to 15 constantly. At first I thought it was a transmission problem. I had it tunes=d up and the problem still exists. It has little power on and off. You have to accelerate hard to get it to go up hills and it is not a smooth shift when your riding it hard to get the idle up to par to go faster.”

NHTSA complaint #11282380, filed 2019-11, 75,000 miles

“Cam bolts need replacing and thousands have been recalled but neither Bmw nor the local dealer can tell me why my car isn't covered. There are multiple service bulletins and recall notices that indicate the 3 series from 2010 to 2014 are covered; however, for some reason which can't be explained, my car is not covered.”

NHTSA complaint #11129237, filed 2018-09, 50,000 miles

“This vehicle has stalled numerous time when driven (in motion) at low speed on a city street. It has happened again 2 days ago when I was driving (in motion) and tried to make a right turn. The engine stopped and the steering wheel refused to turn. I would have been dead if another vehicle was coming from the other side of the road. …”

NHTSA complaint #10899047, filed 2016-08, 47,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20161526%
20152318%
20142919%
20139236%
20125542%
201119434%
20104831%
20094724%
20085423%
20076516%
200033%

Other parts of the 2011 BMW 328I

Engine cooling
175 complaintsElectrical system
129 complaintsAir bags
91 complaintsOther or unknown
43 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
24 complaintsFuel system
20 complaintsExterior lighting
19 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
14 complaintsSeat belts
12 complaintsSeats
11 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsElectronic stability control
10 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2011 BMW 328I

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology