2011 BMW 335I Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe sudden engine power loss and stalling: the car drops into limp mode, loses power steering and brakes, or shuts off in traffic, and several complaints tie this to VANOS bolts, fuel pump or injector problems. A second cluster concerns airbag warnings, mostly the passenger seat occupancy sensor and the Takata driver inflator recall, and electrical glitches such as a failed footwell module, dead windows, lights and battery drain. Most sampled complaints fall between roughly 40,000 and 90,000 miles, though some failures appear much earlier.

1. 1
   Engine

   Sudden loss of engine power or stalling while driving

   • 23 complaints (23%)
   • median 48,200 mi at 6.5 yrs old (18 state mileage)
   • filed 2014–2026

   Complaints describe the engine losing power, running rough or shutting off without much warning, sometimes at highway speed and sometimes while stopped in traffic. Drivers mention the check engine light, a 'reduced power' message, hard steering and loss of brakes, and that restarting sometimes brings the car back. Dealers and independent shops variously pointed to VANOS bolts, the fuel pump or injectors, the valvetronic actuator, or needed an engine block, and several owners say their VIN was not covered by a related campaign. Reported from about 20,000 to 130,000 miles in the sample, often during steady driving or stop-and-go traffic.

   Recall 14V1760002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the VANOS bolt campaign (23V707000) covers the VIN, and have a pre-purchase inspection read stored engine fault codes. Check for a history of long cranks, rough idle or intermittent stalling on a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “For 8 mos now, my car has been stalling. I have taken it in twice and they have not been able to replicate the problem. It happened again yesterday and I called but now it is not under warranty! It happens about 15-20 minutes into my morning commute, stop and go traffic on highway or expressway. Usually at a complete stop or rolling to a stop. It always starts right back up.”

   NHTSA complaint #10782912, filed 2015-10, 46,200 miles

   “Before I start my description I need to mention that my car has been serviced for all recall notices related to the vehicle make and model!! On december 15, 2015 my 2011 Bmw 335I sport model stopped while I was driving. There was no warning messages for this issue. Several minutes prior to the car stopping I received a warning message that my wind shield wiper fluid was low. I was driving straight with traffic on a city street approximately 35-40 MPH on a clear evening, no weather issues. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10817101, filed 2015-12, 29,900 miles
2. 2
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light and passenger seat sensor

   • 27 complaints (28%)
   • median 58,500 mi at 8.6 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2024

   Complaints describe the airbag warning light coming on, often the passenger side, with the car reporting that the occupant sensor has failed; some note it appeared right after a driver-side airbag recall repair. Owners also raise the Takata driver inflator recall and say parts were unavailable or their car was not included. Dealers typically diagnosed a failed passenger occupancy sensor, and some repairs were declined or not performed. Reported from about 40,000 to 97,000 miles, often noticed when starting the car or with a passenger aboard.

   Recall 24V513000Recall 20V0170005 related service bulletins

   What to check: Confirm open recalls by VIN and whether the driver inflator was replaced; check that the airbag light goes out after start-up with a passenger seated.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Takata recall - I live in zone a/1; I was notified about the recall in cy2016. Bmw cannot provide any information about when my car will be made safe again. Now takata is bankrupt. How can I force Bmw to fix my car? Note: 'when did this happen' date below is an estimate.”

   NHTSA complaint #11003475, filed 2017-07, 50,000 miles

   “Immediately after replacing the recall for the driver's side airbag, the light warning came on for the passenger side airbag. This happened while my vehicle was in motion after taking in my car for maintenance and the original recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #11103390, filed 2018-06, 40,000 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Electrical faults: windows, lights, battery drain

   • 11 complaints (11%)
   • median 77,500 mi at 8.3 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2025

   Owners report windows, turn signals, headlights and mirrors going dead, the central brake light falling out, and the radio and stability systems dropping out intermittently. Several complaints point to the footwell module failing and say the module could not be encoded after replacement, and one describes recurring battery drain after a water pump repair. Some owners had to call out a jump start because the battery was inaccessible in the trunk. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 100,000 miles, sometimes after battery or water pump work.

   Recall 13V044000Recall 17V6760003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test every switch: windows, mirrors, blinkers, high beams and the blower. Ask whether the footwell module or battery was replaced, and whether the blower wiring recall (17V676000) was done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Blinker lights and windows not working. I was not driving when I noticed the problem. I was pulling out of my driveway but did not proceed when I noticed the windows and lights weren't working. Both blinker and high beams are not working.”

   NHTSA complaint #11364727, filed 2020-10, 100,000 miles

   “Hello, I wanted to bring to attention the failing footwell modules in e9x generation bmws. The modules have a high failure rate and when they become inoperable you lose your headlights, turn signals, locking and unlocking doors, power window control and the ability to move your mirrors. It is a serious safety concern that Bmw has hidden from its customers as it is a known extended warranty but there is no recall for such an important component. I recently had my vehicle in to have it replaced and was declined as it had not failed enough. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11408018, filed 2021-04, 59,900 miles
4. 4
   Fuel system

   Long cranks, rough idle and stalling tied to fuel supply

   • 23 complaints (23%)
   • median 46,200 mi at 5.2 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • filed 2012–2026

   Complaints describe extended cranking before the engine catches, rough idling that devolves into a stall within seconds, and stalling at a red light with the check engine light on. Shops diagnosed a failing high-pressure fuel pump or injectors; several owners say the dealer told them their car fell outside the earlier pump warranty extension. One owner reports fuel spraying from a cracked sending unit under the rear seat, with a strong gasoline smell inside. Mostly between about 40,000 and 52,000 miles, frequently on cold starts or during idle.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Start the car cold and listen for a long crank or rough idle; ask for fuel pump and injector service records. Check for fuel odor inside the cabin, particularly around the rear seat.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Long crank times to start the engine. Had it diagnosed by an mechanic who determined the high pressure fuel pump was failing. He also was able to determine that this particular problem existed in years 2007,2008,2009, and 2010. He was sure Bmw would replace the pump since those years had been granted an extension on that part to 10 years and 100,000 miles. When I took the car to the Bmw dealer I was informed that my car was too new and would not be included in the warranty extension. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11232889, filed 2019-07, 52,400 miles

   “Driving down road and car loss power. Then stop car, took a well start car, the check engine light came on, make home. Later slow cranking car and losing power well driving. Next day engine light turn off. Then later engine light back on car runs with less power and slow cranking up. I only had my car 1 yr and Bmw dealership says it my hpfp/injector it's not good everything start happening right after warranty end on car that was left from first person purchase. And I love my car but this not looking good..”

   NHTSA complaint #10683135, filed 2015-02, 31,135 miles
5. 5
   Engine cooling

   Coolant pump and overheating-related warnings

   • 13 complaints (13%)
   • median 45,500 mi at 6.4 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2014–2026

   Owners report the engine temperature warning appearing along with stalling, and dealers replacing the coolant pump and thermostat, sometimes with the battery. Some complaints link the work to a water pump replacement, after which battery drain or wiring problems appeared. One note in the records refers to a settlement covering the electric coolant pump on this engine family. Reports in the sample cluster around 30,000 to 50,000 miles, with coolant-related complaints also appearing on higher-mileage cars.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the electric coolant pump and thermostat were replaced, and look for coolant residue or a low coolant level on inspection.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “In 2017 my son was driving on the interstate 91 highway when his front driver tire rod broke off. Bolts were missing both driver and passenger sides. Tires went out and it could have caused a tragedy this happened on a friday night. We paid to have the wheels and tires repaired and replaced. I provide the receipts to the Bmw dealer ship but they were never honored or reimbursed. We paid to have waterpump replacement because. In july 2017 the air conditioning was blowing hot air. In nov. 2017 the heating system was blowing cold air. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11089815, filed 2018-04, 100 miles

   “Wiring harness in the engine compartment caught fire about 2 weeks after changing a water pump, battery kept being draining even after battery replacement. Locking of the trunk trunk forced usage of a BMW authorized jump start battery charger/start etc. No access to Battery when the battery is discharged.”

   NHTSA complaint #11643883, filed 2025-02

Buying note. Have a used example inspected by someone familiar with this engine, with a fault-code scan and confirmation of which open recalls apply to the VIN. Service records for the fuel pump, coolant pump and VANOS work say more about the car than the odometer does.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.