2011 BMW 335D problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 BMW 335D, most often about engine. There are 6 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
6
Recalls
6
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
3
Median mileage
117,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Airbags is the most-reported problem area, named in 2 of 6 complaints (33%).
  • Engine (2) and fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion (2) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 117,000 mi.
  • Owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries.
  • The 2011 BMW 335D has 6 recalls on file.

2011 BMW 335D problems by category

  • Airbags
    2 complaints
  • Engine
    2 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    2 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    2 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    1 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Engine2
Seats2
Air bags2
Fuel system, other:fuel filter1
Power train1
Unknown or other1
Fuel/propulsion system1
Fuel system, diesel1

When problems happen (mileage)

Under 10k10k–30k30k–60k60k–100k2100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2011 BMW 335D complaints that list mileage.

2011 BMW 335D recalls (6)

  • 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.

  • Recall 19V472000Jun 19, 201916,641 vehicles
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009 328i and 328xi, 2009-2011 335d, 2008-2012 M3 Coupe and M3 Convertible, and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. The connection of the positive battery cable at the fuse box terminal may degrade, resulting in an intermittent loss of electrical power.

    Risk: A loss of electrical power can cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and secure the positive battery cable connector, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion of a previous recall, number 18V-314.

  • Recall 18V314000May 14, 20186,591 vehicles
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2010-2011 BMW 335d vehicles with diesel engines. The connection of the positive battery cable at the fuse box terminal may degrade over time, possibly resulting in an intermittent loss of electrical power.

    Risk: A loss of electrical power to the vehicle can cause the vehicle to unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

    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 June 29, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

  • Recall 17V676000Oct 25, 2017702,965 vehicles
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

    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.

    Risk: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.

    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.

  • Recall 17V067000Feb 2, 20178,752 vehicles
    POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 1 Series M Coupe and 135i Convertible vehicles, 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i, 335i, 335d, 335i Coupe, 335is Coupe, 335i Convertible, 335is Convertible, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535i Gran Turismo and 550i xDrive Gran Turismo vehicles and 2012 740i and 740Li vehicles. The rear driveshaft constant velocity (CV) joint on the affected vehicles may fatigue and break.

    Risk: If the CV joint breaks, the vehicle may have a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear driveshaft CV joint and, based on its production date, will replace it, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Recent 2011 BMW 335D complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Oct 6, 2023WAAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts
    - The component that has failed is the front passenger seat occupancy sensor, as indicated by an OBDII scan showing fault code 93C3, seat-occupancy detector, passenger. - The safety of any person in the front passenger seat is compromised because the passenger airbag will not deploy while this sensor is not operating properly, as indicated by the "passenger airbag off" light which is now always illuminated. The vehicle has not been in an accident and nobody has been injured…
    NHTSA complaint #11548697 · source
  2. Filed Jun 1, 2023119,000 miNDFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    The contact owns a 2011 BMW 335D. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed on a 6-hour trip, there was thick fumes coming into the cabin of the vehicle from the exhaust. The contact stated that he drove the vehicle to the dealer and the vehicle was diagnosed with a clogged DEF filter. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacture was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 119,000.
    NHTSA complaint #11524811 · source
  3. Filed Sep 20, 2022MOEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain
    Years of my 335d overheating and stalling and dealer cant figure out the issue. I’ve replaced injectors, done carbon blasting, replaced nox sensor, replaced whole battery/electrical components. Just recently replaced the all belts, hoses, and egr module to avoid catastrophic results. After removing the components you can see fluids got mixed and even got into my turbo all because of the egr was leaking. So many identical issues resulted in recalls from bmw for almost every…
    NHTSA complaint #11485382 · source
  4. Filed Oct 28, 2021MA3 injuredOther / Unknown
    Fine, white particles are blowing out of the cabin air ducts whenever the air conditioner or fan is turned on. My local BMW service center, Herb Chambers BMW of Boston, determined that the debris is flakes of aluminum from the deteriorated aluminum alloy fins of the AC evaporator coil and heater exchanger. The cabin air ducts were scoped and found to be intact with no intrusion of outside contaminants. The dealer determined that if not replaced, “the A/C Evaporator will…
    NHTSA complaint #11438480 · source
  5. Filed Feb 1, 2021CAEngine
    It started may, 2017, when my 335d was idling rough and jerked as i was driving at a slow speed. I took it into crevier bmw in santa ana. The car had 53,000 miles and they said it had carbon build up on the intake manifold and #1 & 5 fuel injector. They replaced the fuel injectors and walnut blast the manifold. Swirl ports, egr and throttle housing cleaned as well. Apr, 2018 58,000 miles, faulty active tank temperature sensor replaced. Aug, 2018 60,000 miles, replaced faulty…
    NHTSA complaint #11391136 · source
  6. Filed Feb 11, 2020115,000 miILAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts
    Passenger airbag malfunction, seat sensitivity is touchy, reports an occupant when empty and gives an occasional malfunction warning, at any speed, any time.
    NHTSA complaint #11308589 · source

Compare the 2011 BMW 335D with another vehicle →

Other 2011 BMW models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. 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