2011 BMW 3 SERIES
3 recalls — 1 complaints — 13 TSBs
23V707000 Oct 20, 2023
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Defect Description
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 s... Read more
Consequence
Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the four VANOS bolts, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed December 18, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 19, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
22V119000 Mar 2, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
Defect Description
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); ... Read more
Consequence
An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
Remedy
This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V... Read more
12E029000 Aug 10, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
Defect Description
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 2006-20... Read more
Consequence
This condition could cause the fan motor to become inoperative, or cause the motor circuit board in the assembly to overheat, potentially leading to a fire in the engine compartment.
Remedy
Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may contact Valeo at 1-888-718-2536.
Complaint Statistics
1 total complaints
1 crashes
Top Reported Components
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1 |
SERVICE BRAKES
Aug 22, 2024
Incident date: Mar 13, 2024
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at 5 MPH, the rubber brake pad detached, the driver's foot slipped on the metal and crashed into a freezer, located in the garage and the bumper detached. There were no warning lights illuminated. There were n... Read more
Crash
Technical Service Bulletins — 2011 BMW 3 SERIES
13 manufacturer communications from 6 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.
Most Affected Components
| Component | Bulletins |
|---|---|
| 010000 STEERING | 3 |
| 020000 SUSPENSION | 3 |
| 350000 EQUIPMENT | 3 |
| 110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 |
| 060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
| 133000 VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | 1 |
B510819
Jan 16, 2024
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
B510819
Jan 16, 2024
133000 VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
B611305
Jan 11, 2024
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 ho
SB23-01
Aug 2, 2023
010000 STEERING
Spl Parts, Inc. communications index accompanying MCP uploads 23mc40464 & 23mc40471
SB23-01
Aug 2, 2023
020000 SUSPENSION
Spl Parts, Inc. communications index accompanying MCP uploads 23mc40464 & 23mc40471
SB23-01
Aug 2, 2023
350000 EQUIPMENT
Spl Parts, Inc. communications index accompanying MCP uploads 23mc40464 & 23mc40471
sb23-01TMS
Jul 17, 2023
010000 STEERING
This is the companion to SPL Parts, Inc.'s SB 23-01 mailed by private label independent distributor Turner Motorsports.
sb23-01TMS
Jul 17, 2023
020000 SUSPENSION
This is the companion to SPL Parts, Inc.'s SB 23-01 mailed by private label independent distributor Turner Motorsports.
sb23-01TMS
Jul 17, 2023
350000 EQUIPMENT
This is the companion to SPL Parts, Inc.'s SB 23-01 mailed by private label independent distributor Turner Motorsports.
SB 23-01
Jul 14, 2023
010000 STEERING
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 bo
SB 23-01
Jul 14, 2023
020000 SUSPENSION
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 bo
SB 23-01
Jul 14, 2023
350000 EQUIPMENT
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 bo
SIM010717
Jun 1, 2017
060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The engine?s intake charge-air duct limited warranty extension to 10 years/120,000 miles applies to ?eligible USspecification
NHTSA Safety Investigations — BMW 3 SERIES
Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.
EA02012
Opened: Jul 15, 2002 — Closed: Jun 24, 2003
INADVERTENT SIDE-IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYME
THE SUBJECT VEHICLE'S AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE CONTAINS PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC FOR DEPLOYING THE SIDE-IMPACT AIR BAGS.BMW REVISED THE MODULE SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE SPAN OF THE MODEL YEARS 1999 THROUGH 2002 (IDENTIFIED AS MRS2.CA, MRS2.BB, MRS3, MRS3+ AND MRS4).ALTHOUGH MODEL YEAR 1999.5 VEHICLE... Read more
PE02011
Opened: Jan 31, 2002 — Closed: Jul 15, 2002
INADVERTENT SIDE-IMPACT AIR BAG
PE99017
Opened: Mar 2, 1999 — Closed: May 11, 1999
INADVERTENT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS
ALLEGED THAT THE DRIVER'S OR FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS MAY DEPLOY WITHOUT A VEHICLE CRASH
BMW 3 SERIES — All Years Overview
Complete safety history for the BMW 3 SERIES across all model years (1992–2023).
49
Total Recalls
1,157
Total Complaints
3
Investigations
50
Reported Crashes
32
Reported Fires
0
Reported Deaths
BMW 3 SERIES — Year by Year
Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 2013 | 0 | 34 | View |
| 2012 | 3 | 11 | View |
| 2011 (current) | 3 | 1 | |
| 2010 | 3 | 43 | View |
| 2009 | 2 | 74 | View |
| 2008 | 3 | 93 | View |
| 2007 | 2 | 190 | View |
| 2006 | 4 | 288 | View |
| 2005 | 0 | 29 | View |
| 2004 | 0 | 93 | View |
| 2003 | 0 | 67 | View |
| 2002 | 0 | 40 | View |
| 2001 | 1 | 49 | View |
| 2000 | 1 | 111 | View |
| 1999 | 1 | 6 | View |
| 1998 | 4 | 4 | View |
| 1997 | 4 | 6 | View |
| 1996 | 4 | 3 | View |
| 1995 | 4 | 3 | View |
| 1994 | 3 | 1 | View |
| 1993 | 3 | 0 | View |
| 1992 | 3 | 0 | View |
| 1986 | 0 | 3 | View |