The Lemon Index2011 BMW 3 Series.
The 2011 BMW 3 Series is better than average by owner complaints: 77 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 67, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 8 recalls, and it gets 20 to 22 mpg combined. The best BMW 3 Series year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 904 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every BMW 3 Series year. 2011 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 47K to 110K miles on the car (462 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 48K–100K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 53K–104K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 47K–94K miles
Recalls 8
- airbags 2024
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.
- airbags 2020
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- engine 2017
The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Show all 8 recalls
- electrical 2017
The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.
- transmission & drivetrain 2017
The rear driveshaft constant velocity (CV) joint on the affected vehicles may fatigue and break.
- engine 2014
In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing f.
- electrical 2013
In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles.
- transmission & drivetrain 2011
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 328I XDRIVE AND 335I XDRIVE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 8, 2011, THROUGH JULY 29, 2011.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems BMW told dealers about
BMW sent dealers 146 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- ConnectedDrive/BMW Assist System Diagnosis Information This Service Information bulletin…
- "repairing transfer case actuator (vtg servo-motor)
- Shudder from the Driveline on Vehicles with xDrive
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW 328 I 2 DR AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ |
| BMW 328 I SW AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| BMW 328 I 4 DR AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| BMW 328 I C AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| BMW 328 I SW RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| BMW 328 I 4 DR RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3600–4000 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Defective swirl flap actuator. Dealer replace intake manifold with swirl flap motor.
2011 BMW 3 Series owner · NHTSA complaint 10542147
More owner reports
I was backing my car into a garage - car was in reverse - I put my foot on the brake pedal and my foot went to the floor - the car lunged backward at top speed and crashed into the rear wall of garage.
NHTSA complaint 10472452
Quick answers
Is the 2011 BMW 3 Series reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.5× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 67; 100 is average, lower is better). The best BMW 3 Series year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2011 BMW 3 Series problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (21%), speed control (18%) and transmission & drivetrain (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2011 BMW 3 Series have?
8 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2011 BMW 3 Series get?
20 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2011 BMW 3 Series problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 47,800 and 110,100 miles. The middle report was at 80,000 miles, from 462 complaints.
Does the 2011 BMW 3 Series have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 17% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2011 BMW 3 Series cost in fuel a year?
About $3600 to $4000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2011 BMW 3 Series have?
3.0L 6-cyl.
What BMW 3 Series year is better than the 2011?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2019 and 2017.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works