Most common 2011 BMW 335 problems
Share of the 28 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
BMW 335 complaints by model year
Best 335 years: 2007, 2008. Years to avoid: 2011. Compare all years →
2011 BMW 335 recalls (1)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2011 BMW 335:
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
What 2011 BMW 335 owners say
Air bags
Another vehicle took a hard illegal right from the left hand lane as I was going through an intersection. I was forced to hit the other vehicle and bounced off and hit head-on into a texaco sign. The air back barely deployed out of the steering wheel and the plastic,etc. Hit me in the face and broke my orbit bone and cheek bone. I had facial reconstructive surgery to repair my eye floor and cheek bone with titanium. I just survived stage 4 throat cancer this year and my jaws are now irreplaceable from radiation. On one side of my face I did have some level of trauma to my jaw bone but did not break it. However I do worry long term effect on the health of my jaw. The BMW was totaled...updated 11/19/14 updated 8/12/2015
BMW 335d automatic with approx 60K miles. While driving on the highway at approx 60 MPH, the vehicle suddenly began to make noise, shake violently and fill with smoke. The passenger side curtain airbags went off from the violent shaking. My husband piloted it across 2 lanes of traffic to the shoulder. The center console and shifter were lifted up several inches. We were shocked that we did not wreck. We set the emergency brake and called BMW roadside assistance. It was towed to the nearest dealership. The dealer said it was 100% mechanical failure and the driveshaft broke and caused significant damage to the transmission and that they could not repair it.
Engine & cooling
This is a know fault problem that is directly tied to emissions of the deisel engine starting at 2008-2012 for all BMW deisel engines. Maybe even newer models. This so called scr temperature sensor that is located inside the def (urea) tank fails, which in term fails the smog inspection if it is not replaced. Some owners and dealers have replaced this tank/sensor ( which is one part together, cant buy separately) under emissions warenty. But most dealers will deny the fact this system is the primary system of emmission. And if it's not working how intended I'm sure emissions of this car won't meetc the federal or state requirment. Please look into this and get this fixed/ added to the emmission system failure list.
The vehicle stalled while accelerating through an intersection and stranded me in the intersection. I was unable to restart the car at first. It would not even crank. After several minutes of attempting to restart the car it finally responded and started. It stalled 4 more times driving a short distance to get the vehicle off the road. Car went in for service Thursday the 31th and was returned to me Saturday the 1st of August. Stalling issue is back and the car is now being towed in for service again. This is an extremely dangerous issue. There was another 335d in for service at the dealer also experiencing stalling issues!!!!!
Electrical system
This is a know fault problem that is directly tied to emissions of the deisel engine starting at 2008-2012 for all BMW deisel engines. Maybe even newer models. This so called scr temperature sensor that is located inside the def (urea) tank fails, which in term fails the smog inspection if it is not replaced. Some owners and dealers have replaced this tank/sensor ( which is one part together, cant buy separately) under emissions warenty. But most dealers will deny the fact this system is the primary system of emmission. And if it's not working how intended I'm sure emissions of this car won't meetc the federal or state requirment. Please look into this and get this fixed/ added to the emmission system failure list.
The vehicle stalled while accelerating through an intersection and stranded me in the intersection. I was unable to restart the car at first. It would not even crank. After several minutes of attempting to restart the car it finally responded and started. It stalled 4 more times driving a short distance to get the vehicle off the road. Car went in for service Thursday the 31th and was returned to me Saturday the 1st of August. Stalling issue is back and the car is now being towed in for service again. This is an extremely dangerous issue. There was another 335d in for service at the dealer also experiencing stalling issues!!!!!
2011 BMW 335 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo diesel | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 23 / 35 / 27 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 6-speed manual | RWD | 19 / 28 / 22 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 19 / 28 / 22 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 6-speed manual | AWD | 19 / 26 / 21 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 7-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 23 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2011 BMW 335 a good car?
Based on 28 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 335 rates avoid: 5.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the 335 at the same age. It is one of the 335 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2011 BMW 335?
The air bags — 11 complaints, 39% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the engine & cooling (8) and electrical system (5).
How many recalls does the 2011 BMW 335 have?
There is 1 recall for the 2011 BMW 335, the most recent from February 5, 2016 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the BMW 335?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2007 and 2008. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2011. See the full BMW 335 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2011 BMW 335 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 51,000 miles; 41% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.