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2011 BMW 328i

7 recalls Most severe issue: Critical

All recalls are free to repair at your local dealership. Contact your dealer to schedule service.

Known Safety Recalls

Critical #17V683000 Plain English
Component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The PCV valve is a vital part that helps your engine breathe and stay cool. In some 2007-2011 BMW models, the heater for the PCV valve can malfunction and cause an electrical short.
Risk if Unfixed
If this happens, the PCV valve's internal parts could melt, even when your car is parked and turned off, which could lead to a fire.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the PCV valve heater for free, and you should schedule the repair as soon as possible after you receive the second recall notice.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
Original — Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Critical #14V176000 Plain English
Component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The VANOS unit in your engine helps your car's engine run smoothly by adjusting the timing of the valves. The bolts that hold it in place can come loose over time and break.
Risk if Unfixed
If the bolts break, your engine could lose power or stall while you're driving. This could make it hard to control your vehicle and increase the risk of a crash.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the VANOS housing bolts for both the intake and exhaust VANOS units, free of charge. This repair should be done as soon as possible to prevent any potential issues.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i Convertible, 528i Sedan, 535i Sedan, 535i xDrive Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, and X3 xDrive 35i, 2010 X3 xDrive 30i, and X5 xDrive 30i, 2012 640i Coupe, and 640i Convertible and 2010-2012 535i Gran Turismo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Original — Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. The recall began on September 24, 2014. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Critical #11V476000 Plain English
Component

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

Manufacturer
BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC
What Happened
Your vehicle's front drivetrain has a critical bolt that might not be tightened properly, which could cause problems.
Risk if Unfixed
If this bolt comes loose, you could lose power to the front wheels, leading to a breakdown and increasing the risk of a crash.
Free Fix
BMW will notify you and replace the affected bolt for free at a dealership, starting in October 2011.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 328I XDRIVE AND 335I XDRIVE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 8, 2011, THROUGH JULY 29, 2011. THE FRONT DRIVESHAFT ATTACHMENT BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION. IF THE BOLTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION, THEY MAY BECOME LOOSE.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
IF THE BOLTS LOOSEN, IT COULD LEAD TO A LOSS OF POWER TO THE FRONT WHEELS AND ULTIMATELY A VEHICLE BREAKDOWN, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Original — Remedy
BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT DRIVESHAFT ATTACHMENT BOLTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT 1-800-525-7417.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #24V513000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The air bag in your driver's seat is a critical safety device that deploys in a crash to cushion the impact. Your 3 Series vehicle may have a steering wheel that came with a faulty air bag inflator, which could rupture and shoot sharp metal fragments at you or your passengers in a crash.
Risk if Unfixed
If the air bag inflator explodes during a crash, you could be seriously hurt or even killed by flying metal shards.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will inspect and replace the air bag module in your vehicle at no cost to you. This is a free repair that you should schedule as soon as you receive the recall notice.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Original — 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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #20V017000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The driver's side airbag in your vehicle uses a small explosive charge to inflate the bag in case of a crash. In certain models, an older part inside the airbag could explode, sending sharp metal fragments into the driver or passengers.
Risk if Unfixed
If the airbag inflator explodes, it could cause serious injury or even death by sending sharp metal shards into the driver or other occupants.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty airbag inflator for free. This repair is also free, and you should schedule it as soon as you get the recall notice to ensure your safety on the road.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Original — 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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Moderate #17V676000 Plain English
Component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The electrical system in your BMW controls the heating and air conditioning. A specific part of this system has wiring that can melt and cause a fire, even when the car is turned off.
Risk if Unfixed
If the wiring overheats, it could ignite a fire, even if you're not driving. This could happen even when you're parked and unattended, posing a risk to your vehicle and your property.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty wiring and electrical connectors for free, as soon as parts are available. You'll receive a second notice when the repair is ready, and you can contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417 for more information.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
Original — Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Moderate #13V044000 Plain English
Component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
Your vehicle's positive battery cable connector is a critical link between the battery and the electrical system. It's possible that this connector could degrade over time, causing a loss of power to your car.
Risk if Unfixed
If the connection breaks, your vehicle could stall without warning, making it harder to control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty connector with a new one and secure it with a better method at no cost to you. You'll be notified by BMW, and you should schedule the repair as soon as possible.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Original — Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →

Browse by Component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2 recalls
AIR BAGS
2 recalls
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2 recalls
POWER TRAIN
1 recall

Other BMW 328i Years

2016
1 recall
2015
4 recalls
2014
8 recalls
2013
5 recalls
2012
6 recalls
2010
6 recalls
2009
6 recalls
2008
5 recalls
2007
6 recalls
2006
3 recalls
2005
1 recall
2004
1 recall
2003
1 recall
2002
1 recall
2001
3 recalls
2000
7 recalls

Related Pages

2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Recalls 2011 Audi A4 Recalls 2010 BMW 328i Recalls 2012 BMW 328i Recalls All BMW Recalls BMW 328i Recall History