Skip to content
Electrical systemPart report

2011 BMW 328XI Electrical system Problems

Complaints
17about this part
Share
25%of 67 total for the year
Median mileage
83,479miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the electrical system of the 2011 BMW 328XI, 25% of the 67 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 83,479 miles. 4 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

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

“Passenger front seat occupancy mat/sensor failed, causing air bags to turn on/off, and trigger false positives and false negatives for minimum weight occupancy, thereby triggering seat belt alarm, and disabling/enabling air bags incorrectly. This was a recall in the same car, model year 2006. I would like my feedback on this subject to help initiate the same recall for the 2011 model year.”

NHTSA complaint #11120434, filed 2018-08, 49,500 miles

“My vehicle was making a squealing noise, was louder when running but sitting still. Took it to a garage and valve cover gasket was leaking apparently. I know this happens to cars but my Bmw is a 2011 with only 65500 miles at the time.. Costed me 1000 dollars to fix and a month before this they did a recall on the pcv valve and had it tore apart. Maybe it was someone's mistake when reassembling the pcv valve heater during recall at Bmw dealer at towne auto in williamsville near buffalo ny?? Idk but that is low mileage for this to happen”

NHTSA complaint #11196609, filed 2019-04, 68,500 miles

“Bmw blower motor recall . On saturday 1/13/2018. My car caught fire while it was parked at my office. 1 mountain rd suffield, ct. The fire dept. Responded after I called 911 to report the fire and that I could not get the unlock button to work from my key remote. The fire damage was from an electrical fire that started underneath the dash board on the passenger side. The blower motor caught fire and melted through the dash onto the rubber mat on the passenger side of the vehicle. The suffield fire dept has the official report. …”

NHTSA complaint #11062868, filed 2018-01, 99,000 miles

“I remember driving home on the interstate and smelling a burning smell. I had the windows open but it didn't seem like it was coming from outside. Later, the car's HVAC blower fan stopped working. During repair, the blower motor resistor and the harness that plugs into it were found to be badly burned. The harness wires for ground and power were missing insulation (burned away) and the copper was badly corroded. The trim panel directly under the affected area has water staining and scorch marks. …”

NHTSA complaint #10725553, filed 2015-06, 112,000 miles

“For several months my air conditioner had been blowing warmer air than normal but was tolerable. A week ago, while driving on the interstate I smelled a burning plastic smell. Almost immediately my air conditioner shut off. Following that the radio and display shut off as well. I pulled over to the shoulder of the road and put the car in park. At that point I noticed white smoke coming from the vents in the dash. I grabbed some things and got out of the car. Within 2 mins of notching the burning smell, flames began coming out from under the passenger side of the dashboard. …”

NHTSA complaint #11129081, filed 2018-09, 111,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2015429%
2014318%
201327%
20111725%
2010741%
2009545%
20084646%
20076131%
2006120%

Other parts of the 2011 BMW 328XI

Engine
24 complaintsAir bags
12 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2011 BMW 328XI

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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