This page covers 6 recalls, 29 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2011 BMW 335d.
27 mpg combined
8.7 L/100km
Compact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
Complaints about the 2011 BMW 335D spread across electrical, seating, and engine systems. On the electrical side, owners describe a range of faults that have required replacing batteries, sensors, and other components, sometimes without fully resolving the underlying issue. The passenger seat occupancy sensor draws its own cluster of complaints, with owners reporting fault codes indicating the sensor has failed, a concern because it affects how the airbag system classifies the front passenger. Engine complaints center on rough idle, hesitation, and stalling, with carbon buildup on the intake manifold and fuel injectors appearing as a recurring diagnosis. Several owners also report exhaust fumes entering the cabin, in some cases traced to a clogged diesel emissions filter. A handful of owners describe white or fine particles blowing from the HVAC vents, attributed to deteriorating evaporator or heater core components.
29
Total Complaints
2
Fire-Related
1
With Injuries
By System
The 2011 BMW 335D has 6 recalls, the most serious being a Takata-style airbag inflator that can explode during deployment and send metal fragments into the cabin, posing a risk of serious injury or death.
Two separate recalls cover this airbag inflator risk: one for vehicles with the original steering wheel and one for vehicles where the original wheel was replaced with a sport or M-sport wheel, both involving the same explosive failure mode. On the electrical side, the positive battery cable connection at the fuse box can degrade over time and cause the car to stall without warning, and the wiring for the heating and air conditioning system can overheat and melt its connectors, creating a fire risk even when the car is parked. The drivetrain also has a concern: a constant velocity joint in the driveline can break and cause a sudden loss of power to the wheels.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's air bag inflator in certain replacement sport or M-sport steering wheels can explode when the air bag deploys.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module at no cost.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver frontal air bag inflator may explode due to chemical breakdown after prolonged exposure to humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Replace the driver air bag inflator. On X5 and X6 models, only the inflator is replaced. Repair is free.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The positive battery cable connection at the fuse box may degrade over time, causing the electrical system to intermittently lose power.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it properly at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The positive battery cable connector at the fuse box can degrade over time, causing intermittent electrical power loss.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it using an improved method at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The wiring and electrical connectors that control airflow in the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear driveshaft CV joint may weaken over time and break, potentially affecting power delivery to the rear wheels.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the rear driveshaft CV joint and replace it if needed based on production date, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
