This page covers 4 recalls, 97 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2011 BMW 335i.
22 mpg combined
10.7 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. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
For the 2011 BMW 335i, the largest share of complaints centers on the airbag system, where owners report warning lights illuminating and airbag malfunctions, often without any crash involvement. Engine complaints are the second most common, with owners describing sudden loss of oil pressure, loud internal knocking or clunking sounds, and loss of power while driving, sometimes accompanied by a check-engine or malfunction indicator. A smaller but notable cluster involves the fuel system, where owners report cracked fuel-sending unit housings that allow gasoline to leak or spray inside the rear passenger area near the fuel tank. Wiring-related issues also appear, including reports of engine-compartment wiring harness fires and persistent battery drain that persists even after battery replacement.
97
Total Complaints
2
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
1
With Injuries
By System
The 2011 BMW 335i has 4 recalls, the most serious being a driver's side airbag inflator that can explode during deployment, sending sharp metal fragments into the cabin and potentially causing serious injury or death.
This airbag defect covers two scenarios: the factory-installed inflator and, separately, a replacement sport or M-sport steering wheel that may have been fitted with an inflator carrying the same explosive failure risk. Prior repair attempts did not fully resolve this issue for all affected vehicles, which is why multiple campaigns exist for the same underlying hazard. On the electrical side, the wiring and connectors that control airflow through the heating and air conditioning system can overheat, melt the surrounding connectors, and start a fire, even when the car is parked and turned off. Rounding out the list, the constant velocity joint in the driveline can fracture and cut power to the wheels entirely, leaving the car unable to accelerate and raising the risk of a crash if it happens at speed or in traffic.
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 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.
