Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2011 BMW 3 Series, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Registered new in Europe in 2011
149,291 new BMW 3 Series cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2011; the largest markets were Germany (57,471), the United Kingdom (41,332), France (9,264).
- Average mass
- 1,576 kg
- Average power
- 140 kW
- Fuel type recorded
- Diesel 79% · Petrol 21%
European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Engines
The most common engines in 2011 BMW 3 Series cars on Dutch roads are the 2.0 petrol (100 kW, 134 hp), 2.0 petrol (105 kW, 141 hp) and 2.0 petrol (125 kW, 168 hp), out of 12 versions with at least 20 cars.
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 petrol | 100 kW 134 hp | 632 |
| 2.0 petrol | 105 kW 141 hp | 618 |
| 2.0 petrol | 125 kW 168 hp | 463 |
| 2.0 diesel | 120 kW 161 hp | 330 |
| 3.0 petrol | 160 kW 215 hp | 320 |
| 3.0 petrol | 225 kW 302 hp | 160 |
| 2.0 diesel | 135 kW 181 hp | 131 |
| 2.0 petrol | 120 kW 161 hp | 106 |
| 2.0 diesel | 100 kW 134 hp | 83 |
| 3.0 petrol | 200 kW 268 hp | 67 |
| 1.6 petrol | 90 kW 121 hp | 65 |
| 2.0 diesel | 105 kW 141 hp | 47 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
3,239 first registered in 2011 are on Dutch roads; 37% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €46,307.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde1,727
- Band onvoldoende profiel986
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld790
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm664
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen639
- Schokdemper aanwezig die lekkage vertoont438
- Mechanische delen van het remsysteem vertonen slijtage401
- Band beschadigd331
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
23,641 cars built in 2011 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 3,381 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 30,355 of these cars first registered in 2011 took their annual MOT test. 70% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2011 the figure was 63%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2011 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 11.5% | 16.0% |
| Suspension | 8.8% | 14.1% |
| Tyres | 8.2% | 7.3% |
| Brakes | 6.8% | 8.6% |
| Visibility | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.9% | 3.6% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
1,216 of these cars first registered in 2011 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 261,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
941 2011 cars are on the New Zealand register; 77% arrived as used imports, 21% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
16 Transport Canada recalls for the 2011 BMW 3 Series.
| 2024544 15 Aug 2024 | Label Issue: On certain vehicles, the tire and loading information label does not list that there is no spare tire in both official languages. The label reads as "N… |
| 2024392 3 Jul 2024 | Airbag Issue: This recall applies to vehicles that may be equipped with a replacement sport or M-sport steering wheel that has a Takata airbag. Long-term exposure to… |
| 2023568 20 Oct 2023 | Engine Issue: On certain vehicles, the variable camshaft timing (VANOS) adjustment unit housing bolts could loosen or break. As a result, the camshaft could become in… |
| 2022095 2 Mar 2022 | Engine Issue: On certain vehicles equipped with an N52 or N52K 6-cylinder engine, a manufacturing problem could cause the PCV valve heater (blow-by heater) to short … |
| 2020008 15 Jan 2020 | Airbag Issue: This recall is for certain vehicles that had an airbag inflator replaced as a part of an earlier recall campaign. This recall provides a final repair. … |
| 2019310 20 Jun 2019 | Electrical Issue: On certain 3-series and M3 vehicles, the positive battery cable connection to the fuse box may fail. This could cause a loss of electrical power while … |
| 2018260 15 May 2018 | Electrical On certain vehicles equipped with a diesel engine, the positive battery cable connection to the fuse box could fail while the vehicle is being driven. This cou… |
| 2017588 30 Nov 2017 | Electrical On certain vehicles, the blower regulator wiring harness crimp connection could start to corrode over time. This in combination with high current flow (IE maxim… |
| 2017470 28 Sept 2017 | Engine On certain vehicles equipped with the N52 6-cylinder engine, an electrical short could occur in the PCV valve heater due to manufacturing irregularities. If thi… |
| 2017242 3 May 2017 | Powertrain On certain vehicles, the rivet connections for the constant velocity (CV) joint of the rear driveshaft may have insufficient durability. Over time, this could c… |
| 2017049 3 Feb 2017 | Powertrain On certain vehicles, the rivet connections for the constant velocity (CV) joint of the rear driveshaft may have insufficient durability. Over time, this could c… |
| 2016142 31 Mar 2016 | Airbag On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the inf… |
| 2014170 13 May 2014 | Engine On certain vehicles, housing bolts for the variable camshaft timing system could break, allowing camshaft timing to deviate. If this occurs, the engine would re… |
| 2014127 10 Apr 2014 | Engine On certain vehicles, housing bolts for the variable camshaft timing system could break, allowing camshaft timing to deviate. If this occurs, the engine would re… |
| 2013048 7 Feb 2013 | Electrical On certain vehicles, the positive battery cable connection to the fuse box could fail while the vehicle is being driven. This could interrupt the vehicle’s ele… |
| 2011347 20 Sept 2011 | Powertrain On certain 3-series sedans equipped with xDrive (all-wheel-drive), the front driveshaft attachment bolts may not have received adequate tightening torque during… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2010-2012 1 Series Coupe, 1 Series Convertible, 3 Series Sedan, 3 Series Convertible, 2010-2011 3 Series Sportswagon, 3 Series Coupe, 5 Series Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, X3 xDrive 30i, X5 xDrive30i, and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The aluminum bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and possibly break.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What BMW told its dealers about the 2011 BMW 3 Series: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10249437 | The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met. |
| 10249027 | The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle discharged battery complaints. |
| 10240305 | Spl Parts, Inc. communications index accompanying MCP uploads 23mc40464 & 23mc40471 |
| 10240273 | This is the companion to SPL Parts, Inc.'s SB 23-01 mailed by private label independent distributor Turner Motorsports. |
| 10240266 | SPL Parts, Inc. manufacturers and distributes aftermarket lower control arms for dedicated competition vehicles and "track day" cars some of which may be used on both track and highway. SB 23-01 adresses proper installation torque of cap bolt fasteners attaching SPL's aftermarket lower control arms, recurring inspection and confirmation of torque setting and removal and replacement of damaged or under torqued fasteners to reduce risk of premature failure and accident. SB-23-01 was mailed, emailed and posted on SPL website to known resellers, race teams and users of the affected parts and is b |
| 10215024 | The engine?s intake charge-air duct limited warranty extension to 10 years/120,000 miles applies to ?eligible USspecification |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)