Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.
Recalls
Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.
Airbags recall
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Airbags recall
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Electrical system recall
Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Transmission recall
If the CV joint breaks, the vehicle may have a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear driveshaft CV joint and, based on its production date, will replace it, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Engine recall
If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. The recall began on September 24, 2014. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Electrical system recall
If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Transmission recall
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.
- Remedy
- BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT DRIVESHAFT ATTACHMENT BOLTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Owner complaints by system
Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.
Engine & powertrain
45
Most reports here involve sudden stalling.
Read full complaint
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.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11700227 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Electrical & infotainment
10
Most reports here involve electrical shorts.
Read full complaint
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.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11643883 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Brakes
1
Most reports here involve premature wear.
Read full complaint
THIS COMPLAINT IS CONCERNING MY 2011 BMW 335I. I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY BMW SINCE ABOUT 9000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKES KEEP LOCKING, THE ROTORS KEEP GRINDING AND GROOVING, NOSE COMING FROM THE BRAKES WHILE DRIVING AND STOPPING, AND THE DEALER HAS CHANGED THEM MORE THAN 3 TIMES AND THE ISSUES CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. THEY ADVISED ME THAT THEY CANNOT FIX IT AND THERE IS NOTHING ELSE THEY CAN DO. PLEASE HELP ME WITH MY VEHICLE ISSUE. IT HAS BEEN PARKED FROM MORE THAN A YEAR AND A HALF AND I FEEL THAT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I FEEL LIKE MY LIFE IS IN DANGER IF I DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10543298 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Steering, suspension & tires
5
Most reports here involve loss of steering. Of these, 1 mention a crash.
Read full complaint
I AM PERPLEXED THAT NHSTA ALLOWS TIRE MANUFACTURERS TO SELL TIRES WITHOUT WARRANTY. ANY MERCHANDISE SOLD TO PUBLIC HAS AT LEAST 1 YEAR MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY AGAINST DEFECTS IN PARTS, MATERIAL AND WORKMANSHIP BUT NOT TIRES. THE ONLY PART THAT CONNECTS A VEHICLE TO A SURFACE IS A TIRE. THEREFORE, TIRES ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF EQUIPMENT ON A CAR BUT YET MANUFACTURERS CAN SELL TIRES WITHOUT WARRANTING THAT THE TIRES WOULD PERFORM AS THEY ARE INTENDED EVEN WHEN THEY ARE DRIVEN A FEW MILES. BRIDGESTONE RE050A RSC RUN-FLAT TIRES DRIVEN LESS THAN 11000 MILES WITHIN LESS THAN 2 YEARS AND ONE OF THE TIRES HAD ALREADY DEVELOPED A BULGE THE SIZE OF A BANANA. PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED PHOTO OF THE TIRE. THESE TIRES DO NOT HAVE A MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY. NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE OLD BUT BECAUSE THEY HAVE NEVER HAD ONE. IF I DIED AND CAUSED DEATH ON THE ROAD BECAUSE OF THIS FAULT, THIS COMPANY WOULD NOT BE LIABLE. WHY? BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT HELD RESPONSIBLE BY NHSTA OR ANYBODY. THERE IS NOT EVEN A SECTION TO COMPLAIN ABOUT TIRES. THAT'S WHY I HAVE TO PUT THIS COMPLAINT IN THE VEHICLE SECTION. DOES THIS MEAN NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION CARES ABOUT OUR SAFETY? LUCKILY, I CAUGHT THIS BEFORE IT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT OR LIVES. ARE YOU WAITING FOR ENOUGH LIVES TO BE CONSUMED BY THIS BEFORE YOU TAKE ACTION?
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11256134 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Airbags & seat belts
31
Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.
Read full complaint
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.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11621213 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Structure & body
2
Most reports here involve premature wear.
Read full complaint
FRONT PASSENGER INSIDE DOOR HANDLE STARTS TO MELT DURING ANY HOT CONDITION. ONCE MELTING DETERIORATION STARTS, DOOR HANDLE GETS EXTREMELY STICKY AND SOFT (LEAVES A LOT OF UNKNOWN RESIDUE ON ANY PASSENGER HAND) TO ANY HAND TOUCH DURING ANY WEATHER CONDITION (COLD/HOT). DOOR HANDLE UNKNOWN COMPONENTS ARE TOUCHED BY PASSENGERS AND CAN BE UNSAFE IF A KID UNDER 18 EATS THE DOOR HANDLE UNKNOWN COMPONENT'S WHILE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. HANDLE CAN BE UNSAFE TO A GRIP IN CASE OF ACCIDENT (COULD FALL OFF AND END IN PASSENGER HAND). EXTREMELY BAD (POOR) MATERIAL WERE USED FOR INSIDE DOOR HANDLE. PICTURES CAN BE SUBMITTED IF REQUESTED (CMARA NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME). *TR
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11329681 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Other systems
3
Most reports here involve other issues.
Read full complaint
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?
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11649455 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
How does it compare with other years? The 2011 has 97 complaints on file, more than the 2010 (41) and more than the 2012 (22). That is the most of the 6 model years of the BMW 335i we cover. Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.