FaultScore report
Owners have filed 136 complaints about the 2011 BMW 335I with NHTSA between 2011 and 2025. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 8 of 9 worst.
FaultScore 45/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the BMW 335I.
How this is worked out136
Complaints
3
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
50,000 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
27%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
1 crashes, 1 fires · median 48,000 mi
Median failure at 45,000 miles
Median failure at 75,000 miles
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 100,000 mi
Median failure at 97,000 miles
Median failure at 44,500 miles
Median failure at 4,550 miles
Median failure at 20,067 miles
Median failure at 100,000 miles
Median failure at 1,000 miles
Median failure at 31,200 miles
Median failure at 59,900 miles
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 80,000 mi
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
TENSION STRUT FAILURE (DRIVER SIDE, FRONT); THIS COMPONENT CONTROLS FORE AND AFT MOTION OF THE WHEEL & TIRE. WHEN IT FAILS THE REMAINING FRONT SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY INCLUDING THE WHEEL AND TIRE IMPACT THE WHEEL WELL CAUSING VIOLENT BUCKING AND SHAKING WHICH IS WORSENED WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. MY FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES ON A SMOOTH, PAVED ROAD AT LESS THAN 55 MPH. THE CAR WAS DISABLED AND HAD TO BE TOWED. I BELIEVE THAT HAD I BEEN TRAVELING AT INTERSTATE HIGHWAY SPEEDS I WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY OVERTURNED. THIS SHOULD BE A 'NEVER EVENT' IN MY OPINION.
NHTSA complaint #11131037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 335I. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE COLLIDED INTO A TREE WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT DECLINED ASSISTANCE FROM THE EMT, BUT WENT TO AN URGENT CARE. FACILITY FOR CUTS TO THE RIGHT HAND, FRACTURE TO THE RIGHT PINKY FINGER, A CONCUSSION, AN UNKNOWN PARTIALLY DEFLATED LUNG, AND INCONCLUSIVE X-RAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY TO AN AUTO BODY COLLISION CENTER TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE. IT HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,000.
NHTSA complaint #11051237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 335I. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE COLLIDED INTO A TREE WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT DECLINED ASSISTANCE FROM THE EMT, BUT WENT TO AN URGENT CARE. FACILITY FOR CUTS TO THE RIGHT HAND, FRACTURE TO THE RIGHT PINKY FINGER, A CONCUSSION, AN UNKNOWN PARTIALLY DEFLATED LUNG, AND INCONCLUSIVE X-RAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY TO AN AUTO BODY COLLISION CENTER TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE. IT HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,000.
NHTSA complaint #11051237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Fuel sending unit has broken and began to expel fuel out upwards within the rear bottom of the back seat were the sending unit is located. The plastic that ensembles the gas sending unit itself cracks over a certain period amount of time and causes gasoline to spray in that area. Gas has began to accumulate outside the gas tank right above the sending unit part, which causes harmful and incredibly strong gasoline odor inside the car and outside the car, predominantly on the back seat of the driver area. Very dangerous for even a small amount of fire to be near it. The problem cause a harmful and overwhelming amount of dangerous gasoline fumes to tolerate breathing near that area or the car itself.
NHTSA complaint #11700227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 335I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the "Loss of Oil Pressure" message displayed, and the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle made an abnormally loud clunking sound. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact used an OBD scanner to retrieve a diagnostic trouble code for the VANOS bolts; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
NHTSA complaint #11652309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
hard to explain. looks like my NIV is ''bad''. There are 11 recalls on BMW 335xi Sedan 2011 and mine has 0 (same car, BUT special limited edition). For now, BMW is of no help at all, they follow their procedure which do not include my NIV in any way $$$. What to do next?
NHTSA complaint #11649455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
I was in the middle of driving on the freeway and my motor started to get loss in power. Moments later a malfunction engine sign popped up. The codes I was able to pull from the vehicle were pointing towards a recall that already exists for BMW but for some reason my vehicle was not a part of the recall. The recall I am reffering to is 23V707000. It shows that there are 11 open recalls for 2011 335i including the vanos bolt recall. I called the dealer and according to my VIN, the vanos bolt recall is not covered. There are multiple reports online where the dealer is refusing to cover the recall for vehicles within a certain production date. There is clearly a safety issue going on as this has happened to plenty of people. Someone with the same motor as I could get covered for the recall due to the production date and I am in a position where BMW knows that this is an issue but will not cover it.
NHTSA complaint #11634627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 335I. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the passenger’s side air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but became persistent whenever the vehicle was started. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact had researched and related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin Number: 10148018 - Front Passenger Air Bag Seat Occupancy Sensor (OC3) Mat (Air Bags). The contact was informed by the dealer and the manufacturer that the vehicle was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.
NHTSA complaint #11621213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Transmission failure, while driving 45mph the car automatically downshifted then stopped pulling rolled to a complete stop was able to put into park turn car off then when tried to restart that is when the transmission failure light and notice came on the dash and radio screen. After that the car would not go into any gear or pull in any gear. No warning signs appeared before the incident.
NHTSA complaint #11612387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
2011 BMW 335i COUPE E92 My vehicle has broken vanos bolts which caused the engine to shut off while driving. This was a terrifying experience in which i was on the freeway doing around 70mph and lost power steering and power brakes. This is a known recall with these vehicles and my vehicle fits the criteria for BMW Recall 23V-707, including year, make, model, production date and engine. My vin does not show up as a recalled vin and the dealer refuses to fix my vehicle for that reason although it is confirmed the vanos bolts have snapped.
NHTSA complaint #11598018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 335I. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the front passenger’s side air bag sensor warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed front passenger’s side occupancy sensor. The contact was informed that the front passenger’s side occupancy sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.
NHTSA complaint #11596878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 335I. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic for repair, he was informed that the camshaft bolts were damaged and required replacement. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Colling), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 130,000.
NHTSA complaint #11560781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
I bought a BMW on November 3rd and within 48 hours on the 5th of November at 6:30 the engine seized while the car was driving when I took it to BMW they did a carfax on it, it said the car had 197,000 miles on it and the car was listed with 97,790 miles and the odometer still says 97,000 and the transmission is also slipping because it had 197,000 miles on it and the font headlights won't work.
NHTSA complaint #11554338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I bought a BMW on November 3rd and within 48 hours on the 5th of November at 6:30 the engine seized while the car was driving when I took it to BMW they did a carfax on it, it said the car had 197,000 miles on it and the car was listed with 97,790 miles and the odometer still says 97,000 and the transmission is also slipping because it had 197,000 miles on it and the font headlights won't work.
NHTSA complaint #11554338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
I bought a BMW on November 3rd and within 48 hours on the 5th of November at 6:30 the engine seized while the car was driving when I took it to BMW they did a carfax on it, it said the car had 197,000 miles on it and the car was listed with 97,790 miles and the odometer still says 97,000 and the transmission is also slipping because it had 197,000 miles on it and the font headlights won't work.
NHTSA complaint #11554338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BMW has made their early 2011-13 engines(n55) a defective engine, the problem I’ve been experiencing with these engines is there new engine system called the valvetronic system. If the something in the valtronic system goes bad and most likely does when you listen to bmw recommendation of changing oil every 10,000 it becomes very annoying to fix and can also lead to damaging the car ecu/dme so they built a car that would have problems and would also take out your car ecu which would make costly repairs
NHTSA complaint #11538659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
BMW has made their early 2011-13 engines(n55) a defective engine, the problem I’ve been experiencing with these engines is there new engine system called the valvetronic system. If the something in the valtronic system goes bad and most likely does when you listen to bmw recommendation of changing oil every 10,000 it becomes very annoying to fix and can also lead to damaging the car ecu/dme so they built a car that would have problems and would also take out your car ecu which would make costly repairs
NHTSA complaint #11538659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I have electrical error codes and I cant seem to find what it is not sure if its wiring.
NHTSA complaint #11522053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
Without any warning, the vehicle experienced a major engine failure while I was driving at about 70 mph on the highway. The vehicle immediately lost power and went into limp mode, making it impossible to safely maintain speed on a busy highway. Vehicle was towed to the dealership and it was determined that it had experienced a VANOS bolts failure on the intake side. Inspection of the failed VANOS bolts revealed that they were of the old design that BMW had issued a Recall for. Even though the Recall status for the vehicle in regard to the VANOS bolts indicates that it was completed, it appears the wrong components had been used in the repair. I have been informed that BMW has denied my request to have the recall done properly with the proper components.
NHTSA complaint #11478973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2011 BMW 335i Sedan: Please attempt to get my car included in the current recall. I have contacted BMW USA and my local dealership. Both said that my car does not qualify for repair. On a weekly basis, the car produces large amounts of smoke from the engine compartment and enters the passenger compartment through the vents. BMW has stated that there is a fire risk for this year, make, and model but will not address it for my car: [XXX] The check engine light turns on while engine smokes. The BMW Dealership will not inspect the car unless it appears on the recall list. In addition, occasionally, the entire electrical system dies preventing all electronics including the starter from working. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11465143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
2011 BMW 335i Sedan: Please attempt to get my car included in the current recall. I have contacted BMW USA and my local dealership. Both said that my car does not qualify for repair. On a weekly basis, the car produces large amounts of smoke from the engine compartment and enters the passenger compartment through the vents. BMW has stated that there is a fire risk for this year, make, and model but will not address it for my car: [XXX] The check engine light turns on while engine smokes. The BMW Dealership will not inspect the car unless it appears on the recall list. In addition, occasionally, the entire electrical system dies preventing all electronics including the starter from working. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11465143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
Passenger seat airbag sensor failed at 50,000 miles
NHTSA complaint #11464654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
Passenger seat occupancy mat with program.
NHTSA complaint #11462677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER
Passenger seat occupancy mat with program.
NHTSA complaint #11462677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
I had just parked and about a minute later, there was a huge amount of smoke coming through the front cabin vents and hood. I immediately turned my car off and opened the hood to find more smoke and hearing popping sounds coming from my catalytic converter. The smoke left residue all over my windshield as well as an unpleasant smell lingering in the car. I emailed my local mechanic and he told me this is likely my PCV and not a VCG leak like I thought it was. This problem had scared me from driving my vehicle again because I was worried a fire would start whether I was in the vehicle or not. I took it to my mechanic to get it repaired and was charged $1700 for it. I had no lights or unusual car prior to this happening
NHTSA complaint #11456396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.