Problems · by component

2011 BMW 3 Series engine and engine cooling problems

192 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2011 BMW 3 Series cite engine and engine cooling, 22% of all 861 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 5 recalls on this component.

Complaints
192
22% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
7
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine and engine cooling

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2011 BMW 335I. While driving 50 MPH, the vehicle lost power. The check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle went into LIMP Mode before shutting off. The vehicle was towed back to the residence. The contact connected a diagnostic scanner, which indicated an inability to read or establish engine timing. The engine cranked and turned over for 10 seconds but shut off immediately afterwards. The contact believed that the issue was related to a timing failure. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 23, 2026Engine and engine coolingODI 11766473
“The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the low oil pressure warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the VANOS bolts had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact related the failure to TSB Number: SIB 11 04 14. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was covered under the TSB. The failure mileage was approximately 157,637.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 25, 2026Engine and engine coolingODI 11727018
“The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle hesitated and stalled. The vehicle was restarted several times but continually stalled. The vehicle was later towed to the residence. The contact examined the engine and discovered metal shavings in the VANOS solenoid engine oil. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 15, 2025Engine and engine coolingODI 11705161
“The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed an abnormal dinging sound coming from underneath the hood. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a detached VANOS bolt. The contact was informed that the failure was due to unrepaired recall NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The recall repair was performed. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that when the vehicle was released to the contact, the contact stated that the vehicle was shaking violently, and the RPM was fluctuating. In addition, the engine shut off while idling. The contact stated that the failure occurred before leaving the dealer. The dealer requested that the vehicle remain at the dealer for inspection. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer the following day. The vehicle was inspected, and the contact was informed that the failure was not related to the recall. The contact was requested to provide a diagnostic fee for further diagnostic tests and the contact declined. The contact stated that the vehicle was in worse condition after the recall repair was performed.…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 3, 2025Engine and engine coolingODI 11702719
“The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The recall repair was completed; however, on the drive home after the vehicle was retrieved, while driving 60 MPH, the engine seized. The contact stated that the vehicle was sluggish and hesitated before stalling in the middle lane of the highway. The oil pressure warning light was illuminated. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, and after several attempts, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was determined that the incorrect oil filter was installed on the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired. The contact towed the vehicle back to the residence. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered the contact a 10% discount on a new engine. The failure mileage was 126,657.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 6, 2025Engine and engine coolingODI 11691679
“The contact owns a 2011 BMW 328I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact had received various unknown notifications of NHTSA recalls. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the vehicle was repaired. The contact stopped by the dealer to pick up the vehicle, and when the vehicle was started, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that the vehicle was idling abnormally. The contact left the vehicle at the dealer. The contact believed that the dealer had damaged the vehicle. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle had other issues that the contact needed to repair for the dealer to repair the vehicle again. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 134,184.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 16, 2025Engine and engine coolingODI 11687727

Showing 6 of 192 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 4, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

5 recalls on this component

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Remedy pending

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.

Engine and engine coolingReported Oct 20, 2023NHTSA 23V707000

Engine and engine cooling: crankcase (pcv)

Remedy pending

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.

Engine and engine coolingReported Mar 2, 2022NHTSA 22V119000

Engine and engine cooling: crankcase (pcv)

Remedy pending

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.

Engine and engine coolingReported Oct 30, 2017NHTSA 17V683000

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Free remedy

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.

Engine and engine coolingReported Apr 10, 2014NHTSA 14V176000

Engine and engine cooling: fan

Free remedy

This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink. This primary failure could cause adjacent components on the fan assembly motor circuit board to overheat and short.

Engine and engine coolingReported Aug 10, 2012NHTSA 12E029000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 4, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.