Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 BMW 335i owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
On 2/5/2016, BMW issued a recall for the driver's front air bag (recall campaign no. 16v-071). I wasn't even notified about the recall! I happened to see this open recall in July 2017 after I received a recall for the rear driveshaft constant velocity joint (recall campaign no. 17v-067). It took almost 2 years for the driver's air bag recall to be fixed (it was finally made available to me in December 2017). Within a few months of getting the driver's side fixed, the passenger side air bag seat sensor malfunction light came on while I was driving the vehicle! I've spoken to BMW's service department & authorized BMW mechanics regarding the air bag sensor mat failing & was told it was a very common problem. That it was so common, the waiting list to replace/fix the malfunction will take 1-2 years (or longer). …
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 BMW 335i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V071000 (air bags). The part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called BMW of honolulu (777 katiolani blvd, honolulu, hi 96813; [phone]) and was informed that the manufacturer was only allowing for ten repairs per day, which would place the contact's repair around November of 2017. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 BMW 335i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V071000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called a local dealer (coggin BMW located at 4429 south us 1 highway fort pierce, fl) and was informed that the parts were on backorder. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. Updated 10/12/17
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 BMW 335i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V071000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer (bill jacobs BMW, 2495 aurora ave, naperville, il 60540) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy until 6 to 8 weeks. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Passenger restraint system malfunction - notice started popping up at random now is on all the time without a passenger. Have been told there is no recall, but the same issue has been identified on all BMW sports seats from years 2006 and 2008, noticing complaints of the same issue for 2012 issues posted online as well. Previous issue was for a cracked sensor in the seat. Not happy that BMW has had this issue and will not review possible reoccurrence in newer models then 2008.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles.
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.
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi,…
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.
Airbag complaints in other 335i years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2011 BMW 335i?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 BMW 335i, 33% of the model year's 98 complaints. The component named most often is sensor › occupant classification › front passenger (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 BMW 335i airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 24V-513 (inflator module, Jul 3, 2024); NHTSA recall 20V-017 (inflator module, Jan 15, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2011 BMW 335i airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to air bags 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.