NHTSA vehicle safety data
2011 BMW 3 Series Recalls & Complaints
The 2011 BMW 3 Series has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2011 BMW 3 Series. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2011 BMW 3 Series owner complaints
Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2011 BMW 3 Series, describing incidents dated March 13, 2024.
Most-cited components
- Engine 1 complaint
Newest complaints
ODI #11610158 · Filed
See attached document for complaint
Camshaft Timing Bolts May Loosen Causing Stall
NHTSA #23V707000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine · NHTSA notice
Reported October 20, 2023 · BMW of North America, LLC
Potentially affected: 157,796 vehicles
Repair completion: 35.88% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Owners notified June 19, 2024
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 secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and possibly break.
Safety consequence
Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
PCV Heater May Short Circuit
NHTSA #22V119000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Exhaust System — Emission Control — Crankcase (PCV) · NHTSA notice
Reported March 2, 2022 · BMW of North America, LLC
Potentially affected: 917,106 vehicles
Repair completion: 35.82% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Owners notified July 22, 2022
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); 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.
Safety 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.
Manufacturer 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-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Engine Cooling Fan Assemblies/Service Parts
NHTSA #12E029000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Cooling System — Fan · NHTSA notice
Reported August 10, 2012 · Valeo
Potentially affected: 585 vehicles
Repair completion: 33.1% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Owners notified August 22, 2012
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 2006-2007 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.
Safety 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.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Other BMW 3 Series model years
Check your 2011 BMW 3 Series VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW 3 Series at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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