Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 BMW 328i owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Upon starting my vehicle there is a strong smell of gasoline in the cabin. The car was making a noise that has been diagnosed by a mechanic as engine failure and this vehicle is only 10 years old. This car is my only means of transportation. I need someone to help figure out what to do with it. These cars are too costly to consumers to be just be dead in a year span. There is no possible way the manufacture is unaware of these issues. My car has had a burning smell that could never be located by the dealer. Though it all there are still zero safety lights to point me in any direction.. how can it be possible that something seeming so unstable have no warning lights to give indication that something is wrong with it . I'm just tired of all these entities being able to deliberately falsify information to entice me to purchase a vehicle knowing it has failures and safety issues. …
i was driving to work and the car stalled in the middle of traffic when i slowed the vehicle down, the idle is rough and all over the place, car is very hesitant to accelerate and vibrates or shakes when approaching any speed. then the check engine light popped on and is still on, i've parked the car since the incident to do some research on what the cause could be.
Last Saturday, I was driving to New Jersey. I drove from Brooklyn through the Holland Tunnel with no issues. However, after driving about 4 or 5 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike the fuel pump malfunction light came on and the car started to slow down then jerk. Thankfully, I was able to pull off to the side since vehicles travel at a very high speed on the New Jersey Turnpike. After I pulled off to the side the engine stopped and would not restart. I was able to get a tow to the nearest BMW - BMW of Bloomfield. They took my keys and ran my VIN. The service manager from that location advised me that they could fix the fuel pump for me at no cost because it is a known issue and is covered under code SULEV. However, I would have to leave my car there for the weekend. Since I live in Brooklyn, I decided to get another tow to BMW of Manhattan where my car has been since Saturday. …
Had several recalls sent but everytime I contact and took my car . BMW stated that parts are not in. Been 2 years, so I was still paying and then told until get get fixed. No payments will be made on a car they knew was a safety hazard and did not for 2 years. Took car again in 2/2017. Same answer. Now they want to take care and charge me due to their lack to service my BMW , which is a safety hazard to drive
My issue is exactly as described in recall campaign 14v-176, also listed as si b11 07 14. It is a faulty vanos unit with failing bolts. My car's model and year are listed in both of these documents, however my specific VIN is not listed as part of the recall. My car is currently damaged due to the vanos bolts shearing off completely and falling into the oil pan, as described exactly in the above recall notices. This is the diagnosis from BMW of seattle. It is very clear that my car suffers the same faulty part as listed and should be part of the recall. I believe it is in error that it is not. As it stands, BMW cannot help me and are forcing me to pay out of pocket. The service technician tells me that my VIN should be included in the recall and does not understand why it isn't, but because it isn't they will not fix the issue under the recall. This is a very serious issue. …
3-times the car's engine was turned off by the computer while we were driving on the freeway and the streets. Car info says "fuel pump, service soon" and then the car won't start for an hour. First time we took it to beverly hills BMW center and they replace the fuel pump. Next day, fuel all over our garage. Took it back for them to secure it better.next morning we got gas all over the garage again. I had to secure the fuel pump. I'm not confident in the service at BMW centers but I really have a problem with the car turning off while your in the fast line on the freeway. We were almost hit by a truck the third time it stopped.
12/24/2018 fuel pump malfunction warning comes on while driving indication vehicle while shut off each time this happens I am driving on the nj turnpike forced to pull over before vehicle shuts down and does not start!!! 01/2019 I have had new fuel pump installed and it happened again, 03/2019 fuel pump replaced again and this vehicle has shut down 2 additional times 05/2019 and again while driving on the parkway. Last fuel pump malfunction June 2019 I have not driven vehicle in 3 weeks not sure what to do. Each incidents has been on a major highway where speed limit is 65mph.
12/24/2018 fuel pump malfunction warning comes on while driving indication vehicle while shut off each time this happens I am driving on the nj turnpike forced to pull over before vehicle shuts down and does not start!!! 01/2019 I have had new fuel pump installed and it happened again, 03/2019 fuel pump replaced again and this vehicle has shut down 2 additional times 05/2019 and again while driving on the parkway. Last fuel pump malfunction June 2019 I have not driven vehicle in 3 weeks not sure what to do. Each incidents has been on a major highway where speed limit is 65mph.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 BMW 328i. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled three times. The contact stated that the "car on the rock" icon illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.
My 2011 BMW 328i (I am original owner) has ~53000 miles but is showing symptoms such as engine misfiring, rough idle, loss in power and acceleration. Car almost stalled on the highway a couple of times. The diagnostic codes indicate ignition coil and spark plug issues but this is not usual for a car with only about 53000 miles. Please investigate if there's any known issues with these components.
Fuel System complaints in other 328i years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2011 BMW 328i?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2011 BMW 328i, 3% of the model year's 577 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 BMW 328i fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 2011 BMW 328i, though it has 7 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2011 BMW 328i fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.