2011 BMW 328I airbags problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

22 owners have reported airbags problems with the 2011 BMW 328I, 7% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 105,505 mi.

Airbags complaints
22
Crashes
3
Fires
0
Injuries
3
Related recalls
2
Median mileage
105,505 mi

Specific components reported

Airbags covers: Frontal, side and curtain airbags, sensors and warning lights.

ComponentComplaints
Air bags21
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification:front passenger2
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification1

Airbags complaints across BMW 328I years

10200762008112009112010222011420121520138201422015
Airbags complaints by model year. The 2011 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

Under 10k10k–30k30k–60k260k–100k3100k–150k1150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

  • Recall 24V513000Jul 3, 2024394,029 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · 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. 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.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

    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.

  • Recall 20V017000Jan 15, 202059,965 vehicles
    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, 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.

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    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.

What owners say

  1. Filed Apr 30, 2025LAAirbagsEngine
    RE: Recall on 2011 328i Vin# [XXX] I drove the car to run an errand, car was running ok but had a miss. During my drive home, the car stalled. I had to quickly coast to a parking lot in order not to get hit by the car behind me. I tried to restart the car, but it acted as if it needed a jump. Tried to jump the car but it turned over slowly without starting. Ended up getting it towed to Metairie very early the next morning, due to parades. Had a friend of mine, a BMW shop…
    NHTSA complaint #11657961 · source
  2. Filed Dec 2, 2024WAAirbagsEngine
    Nothing has malfunctioned yet on the vehicle, however, these recalls are putting my daughter at risk while driving as there is an air bag and engine recall on the vehicle. Every time we contact the dealership, the recall is still unavailable.
    NHTSA complaint #11628356 · source
  3. Filed Sep 30, 2024110,000 miFLAirbagsEngine
    The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V513000 (AIR BAGS) and 23V707000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact…
    NHTSA complaint #11617163 · source
  4. Filed Aug 15, 2024NYAirbags
    The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V513000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
    NHTSA complaint #11608691 · source
  5. Filed Aug 2, 2024135,000 miMEAirbagsEngine
    The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Colling) and 24V513000 (Air Bags); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle…
    NHTSA complaint #11606048 · source
  6. Filed Jul 29, 2024ILAirbagsEngine
    The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and 24V513000 (Air Bags); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle and while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was shuddering. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated…
    NHTSA complaint #11605153 · source
  7. Filed Feb 9, 2024CAAirbagsElectrical SystemEngine
    Received letter of recal Dec 2023 For recall Campaign No 23V-707 Is been almost two months and BMW not communicating with me to find solution letter said remedi unavailable Engine bolts may over time loosen and eventually break how they want public to drive like that this should be a priority is dangerous
    NHTSA complaint #11571133 · source
  8. Filed Jan 17, 2024NJAirbagsEngine
    1) Vehicle idling problem, it automatically accelerate while vehicle is idle and pcv valve problem is very prominent during the winter. 2) Airbag problem, automatically airbag is popping up.
    NHTSA complaint #11565959 · source
  9. Filed Dec 30, 2023FLAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts
    The the OC3 MAT on the passanger car just showed up faulty which causes the air bag light to also come on. I have seen a lot of others posting they are having the same issue. Can you help me find out if this has already been recalled but not replaced on my car or if it hasn't even been recalled yet this is a safety issue. Because the airbags will not function if the oc3 mat is not functioning properly. There wasn't anyone in the seat and the car had not been in an accident…
    NHTSA complaint #11562709 · source
  10. Filed Oct 22, 2023INAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts
    Passenger restraint system malfunction alert when car is turned on. Air bag and passenger seatbelt warning lights are on. Passenger seat belt light will never turn off even with no passengers in the car. Air bags for passenger are off when there is a passenger in the car causing a safety concern. BMW wants $1000 to diagnose what the issue is for the airbag light only but not to fix it or check the seat belt light. Already paid them $100 just to tell me exactly what the…
    NHTSA complaint #11551212 · source
  11. Filed Jun 14, 2022CAAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts
    I had my passenger in the car driving 30mm and then I got a “restraint system warning ⚠️ “ illuminating the seatbelt light and seatbelt with airbag light. This is a safety concern as it is still on without a passenger. This affects the passenger airbag so in the case of fatality this would fall on BMW NA for neglecting to fix this issue. The car was fine before and this came out of no where
    NHTSA complaint #11469243 · source
  12. Filed May 20, 2022CAAirbags
    When a passenger sits in the front passenger seat, the passenger side airbag seat sensor triggers and illuminates the airbag light, deactivating the passenger airbag. After it is triggered, the light stays illuminated, along with the seat belt light, for several drive cycles, without a passenger present, before resetting. This is a sporadic issue, but rather frequent. It began, very occasionally, approximately a year ago, but has progressively become worse. My research has…
    NHTSA complaint #11465448 · source

Other 2011 BMW 328I problem areas

  • Engine (261)
  • Electrical System (43)
  • Other / Unknown (22)
  • Lighting (15)
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion (10)
  • Transmission & Drivetrain (9)
  • Seats & Seat Belts (8)
  • Visibility & Wipers (7)
  • Body & Structure (4)
  • Steering (3)
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech (3)
  • Brakes (3)
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control (2)
  • Wheels & Tires (1)

Back to all 2011 BMW 328I problems →

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology