What 168 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 BMW 335i Xdrive

I was in the middle of driving on the freeway and my motor started to get loss in power. Moments later a malfunction engine sign popped up. The codes I was able to pull from the vehicle were pointing towards a recall that already exists for BMW but for some reason my vehicle was not a part of the recall. The recall I am reffering to is 23V707000. It shows that there are 11 open recalls for 2011 335i including the vanos bolt recall. I called the dealer and according to my VIN, the vanos bolt recall is not covered. There are multiple reports online where the dealer is refusing to cover the recall for vehicles within a certain production date. There is clearly a safety issue going on as this has happened to plenty of people. Someone with the same motor as I could get covered for the recall due to the production date and I am in a position where BMW knows that this is an issue but will not cover it.

NHTSA ODI 11634627

See attached document for complaint

NHTSA ODI 11610158

2011 BMW 335i COUPE E92 My vehicle has broken vanos bolts which caused the engine to shut off while driving. This was a terrifying experience in which i was on the freeway doing around 70mph and lost power steering and power brakes. This is a known recall with these vehicles and my vehicle fits the criteria for BMW Recall 23V-707, including year, make, model, production date and engine. My vin does not show up as a recalled vin and the dealer refuses to fix my vehicle for that reason although it is confirmed the vanos bolts have snapped.

NHTSA ODI 11598018

I bought a BMW on November 3rd and within 48 hours on the 5th of November at 6:30 the engine seized while the car was driving when I took it to BMW they did a carfax on it, it said the car had 197,000 miles on it and the car was listed with 97,790 miles and the odometer still says 97,000 and the transmission is also slipping because it had 197,000 miles on it and the font headlights won't work.

NHTSA ODI 11554338

BMW has made their early 2011-13 engines(n55) a defective engine, the problem I’ve been experiencing with these engines is there new engine system called the valvetronic system. If the something in the valtronic system goes bad and most likely does when you listen to bmw recommendation of changing oil every 10,000 it becomes very annoying to fix and can also lead to damaging the car ecu/dme so they built a car that would have problems and would also take out your car ecu which would make costly repairs

NHTSA ODI 11538659

Without any warning, the vehicle experienced a major engine failure while I was driving at about 70 mph on the highway. The vehicle immediately lost power and went into limp mode, making it impossible to safely maintain speed on a busy highway. Vehicle was towed to the dealership and it was determined that it had experienced a VANOS bolts failure on the intake side. Inspection of the failed VANOS bolts revealed that they were of the old design that BMW had issued a Recall for. Even though the Recall status for the vehicle in regard to the VANOS bolts indicates that it was completed, it appears the wrong components had been used in the repair. I have been informed that BMW has denied my request to have the recall done properly with the proper components.

NHTSA ODI 11478973

2011 BMW 335i Sedan: Please attempt to get my car included in the current recall. I have contacted BMW USA and my local dealership. Both said that my car does not qualify for repair. On a weekly basis, the car produces large amounts of smoke from the engine compartment and enters the passenger compartment through the vents. BMW has stated that there is a fire risk for this year, make, and model but will not address it for my car: [XXX] The check engine light turns on while engine smokes. The BMW Dealership will not inspect the car unless it appears on the recall list. In addition, occasionally, the entire electrical system dies preventing all electronics including the starter from working. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11465143

I had just parked and about a minute later, there was a huge amount of smoke coming through the front cabin vents and hood. I immediately turned my car off and opened the hood to find more smoke and hearing popping sounds coming from my catalytic converter. The smoke left residue all over my windshield as well as an unpleasant smell lingering in the car. I emailed my local mechanic and he told me this is likely my PCV and not a VCG leak like I thought it was. This problem had scared me from driving my vehicle again because I was worried a fire would start whether I was in the vehicle or not. I took it to my mechanic to get it repaired and was charged $1700 for it. I had no lights or unusual car prior to this happening

NHTSA ODI 11456396

The Vano Housing System bolts all broke off and fell into the engine causing sudden failure and stopping of the vehicle causing it to need to be towed. Upon some researched I learned that in 2014 BMW of North America issued a recall for 2010-2011 BMW 3 series (N55 Engine) Models for this exact defect except apparently my VIN was not included. However, clearly my vehicle should have been included because it sustained damage and could have caused me harm by sudden stoppage. The car is currently being looked at by BMW of Rockville, MD and BMW is attempting to skirt responsibility

NHTSA ODI 11429020

WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE WITH APPROXIMATELY 81,000 MILES WHEN THE ROD BEARING BROKE. BMW HAS A RECORD OF ROD BEARING FAILURES AND RECALLS. BMW IS NOT HELPING IN MY CASE AND FROM MY RESEARCH THERE HAS BEEN ROD BEARING FAILURES IN THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL AS MINE. I WAS DRIVING WHEN I HEARD KNOCKING IN THE ENGINE. I PULLED OVER, HAD TO BE TOWED AJD BMW SAID THE ROD BEARING WENT. THEY SAID IT JUST WENT. PLENTY OF OIL IN THE ENGINE SO IT WASN'T THAT. I WAS GOING ABOUT 60 MPH WHEN ALL OF THIS HAPPENED

NHTSA ODI 11387757

VANOS BOLTS BACKED OUT AFTER RECALL SERVICE REPLACEMENT COMPLETED. VEHICLE WENT INTO SAFE MODE ON THE FREEWAY SUDDENLY.

NHTSA ODI 11343105

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 335I. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND SEIZE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO FIELDS BMW SOUTH ORLANDO (LOCATED AT 9750 S ORANGE BLOSSOM TRAIL, ORLANDO, FL 32837, (407) 956-6300) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE ENGINE BLOCK REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V176000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,250.

NHTSA ODI 11292030

I WAS DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT AT ABOUT 5MPH, AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED ON ITS OWN WHILE I WAS STILL PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. I CONTINUED TO PRESS THE ACCELERATOR, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. AFTER 3 OR 4 MINUTES OF TRYING TO DETERMINE WHAT THE ISSUE WAS, I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE. THE CAR WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE ONCE I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE IN TRAFFIC, IT WOULD HAVE PUT MANY PEOPLE AT RISK. NO ONE WAS HARMED BECAUSE I WAS IN A WALMART PARKING LOT TRAVELING AT 5MPH WHEN THE CAR STALLED, BUT I AM UNSURE WHAT CAUSED THIS TO OCCUR. THIS SITUATION SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC ADMINISTRATION'S RECALL NUMBER 14V176000, AS IT DESCRIBES WHAT I EXPERIENCED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11197165

ENGINE SEIZED 10 MILES AFTER OIL FILTER HOUSING GASKET WAS REPLACED. CAR HAS 107K MILES AND HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED. NOW I'M GOING TO HAVE TO SPEND FROM $8K-$10K FOR A NEW ENGINE. NEVER RECEIVED A WARNING LIGHT. FROM WHAT I'VE BEEN READING, THIS IS NOT UNCOMMON AFTER THAT SPECIFIC JOB IS DONE AND THE GASKET STARTS LEAKING AROUND 100K SO IT IS NECESSARY TO ADDRESS.

NHTSA ODI 11162866

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 335I US. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON AND LOW POWER MODE' WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (BMW OF WEST SPRINGFIELD, 1712 RIVERDALE STREET, WEST SPRINGFIELD, MA 01089) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VALVE-TONIC SYSTEM FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS FOR THE SAME FAILURE, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

NHTSA ODI 11112987

2011 BMW 335I THREE (3) RECALLS: 1) FIRE HAZARD, 2) TAKATA RECALL AND 3) VANOS HOUSING BOLTS - RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF MY 2011 BMW 335I VEHICLE AS CONFIRMED A TOTAL LOSS VEHICLE BY PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE CLAIM NUMBER 17-2120735. CONTRARY TO PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE COMPANY'S REPORT, THERE WAS NO COLLISION. MY 2011 BMW 335I SPORTS MODEL VEHICLE WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS BY PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE ON APRIL 21 2017 AND I WAS SEVERELY INJURED WITH HIP DAMAGE WHEN MY 2011 BMW CAR OVERHEATED AND STOPPED SUDDENLY WHEN I WAS SLOWLY DRIVING MY CAR ON A CITY STREET IN THE LOS ANGELES AREA. CONTRARY TO PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE'S FALSE REPORT, THERE WAS NO COLLISION. BMW NEVER PROVIDED ANY NOTICE RE: NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 14V176 (VANOS HOUSING BOLTS), NOR PROVIDED ANY NOTICE RE: NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 17V676 (OVERHEATING LEADING TO FIRE). INSTEAD OF OFFERING TO REPAIR OR REPLACE MY RECALLED VEHICLE,BMW, SINCE APRIL 21, 2017 AND FOR THE PAST SIX MONTHS, BMW, BMW FINANCIAL SERVICES AND PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE HAVE BEEN ORCHESTRATING TAG TEAM FINANCIAL FRAUD, REFUSING TO REPAIR OR REPLACE MY BMW VEHICLE AND DENYING ME OF STATUTORY PERSONAL INJURY BENEFITS RESULTING FROM INJURIES SUSTAINED IN MY RECALLED 2011 BMW VEHICLE. WITH REGARD TO THE ONLY RECALL NOTICE WHICH BMW DID PROVIDE RE: THE TAKATA AIRBAGS, RATHER THAN AGREEING TO REPAIR MY TOTAL LOSS VEHICLE, BRAMAN BMW OF WEST PALM BEACH USED THE TAKATA RECALL AS A 'BAIT AND SWITCH' OPPORTUNITY TO SELL ME A NEW BMW VEHICLE. EVEN THOUGH BRAMAN'S WEST PALM BEACH FLORIDA BMW MANAGER HAD FIRST HAND ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE THAT MY RECALLED BMW VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS, BRAMAN BMW REFUSED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE MY TOTAL LOSS VEHICLE; BUT CONTACTED ME MORE THAN TWO HUNDRED TIMES WITHIN SIX MONTHS TO SELL ME A NEW MODEL BMW. I HAVE FULL DOCUMENTATION OF ALL OF THE ABOVE. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI 11052215

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 335I. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ACCELERATING, THE SPEED DECREASED AND THE MESSAGE "ENGINE PRESSURE REDUCTION" APPEARED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NIELLO BMW IN ELK GROVE, CALIFORNIA WHERE THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH THE ASA BOLTS. IN REGARDS TO THE VEHICLE STALLING, THE COOLANT PUMP AND THE WATER PUMP WERE REPLACED. FURTHERMORE, THE DEALER FOUND A LEAK IN THE SEAL OF THE RADIATOR AND DIAGNOSED THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS RELATED TO THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.

NHTSA ODI 11051248

WATER PUMPED FAILED AFTER 40,400 MILES ONLY. THE CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED BY DEALER. THE AGE OF THE CAR IS 5 YEARS AND 6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE. WATER PUMP FAILED DURING IN TOWN DRIVING. SPEED WAS UNDER 30 MILES/HR.

NHTSA ODI 11033812

MY 2011 BMW 335I, WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS (>20MPH) AND TURNING (ONTO STREETS AND INTO PARKING LOTS) STALLS AND LOSES ALL ENGINE POWER. I AM ABLE TO RE-START CAR BUT THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER CAUSE SAFETY ISSUES BECAUSE CARS BEHIND YOU MAY HIT YOU. THIS HAS HAPPENED 7-10 TIMES SINCE 2012. I HAVE TAKEN IN THE CAR TO KELLY BMW AND MAG BMW IN COLUMBUS OHIO FOR INSPECTION ON AT LEAST 2 OCCASIONS, BUT DUE TO BMW'S WARRANTY REQUIREMENTS REGARDING REPLICATION AT THE SERVICE CENTER, THESE INTERMITTENT BUT SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES HAVE NOT BEEN ADDRESSED. FROM READING CUSTOMER FEEDBACK ON CONSUMER SITES, THIS IS A PREVALENT ISSUE AND IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED BY BMW CORRECTLY. I AM HOPING TRANSPORTATION CAN HELP ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11032918

ENGINE SHUT OFF LOSS OF POWER STEERING LOSS OF ABILITY TO ACCELERATE WHILE DRIVING ON 7/27/17, OUR 2011 BMW 335I'S ABILITY TO ACCELERATE STOPPED, RPM INCREASED BUT STILL IN DRIVE NOT IN NEUTRAL. DURING LOSS OF ACCELERATE, POWER STEERING FAILED AND WAS UNABLE TO PULL OFF SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS HAPPENED WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A BUSY CITY STREET. HAD TO PUT ON HAZARDS IN MIDDLE OF STREET.

NHTSA ODI 11011256

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 335I COUPE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT USED A DIAGNOSTIC TOOL THAT READ THAT THE VALVETRONIC ACTUATOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 149,000.

NHTSA ODI 10967143

NOVEMBER 25, 2016 APPROXIMATELY 17:44 (5:44 PM EST) MY 2011 BMW 335D STALLED WHILE DRIVING. "ENGINE MALFUNCTION REDUCED POWER" ALERT WAS ON SCREEN. I WAS ABLE TO RE-START IT, AND CONTINUED ON MY WAY. THIS IS A RE-OCCURRING DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. BMW NEEDS TO FIX THIS BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS KILLED.

NHTSA ODI 10927902

ENGINE DESIGN OF EXHAUST GAS RE-CIRCULATION CAUSES HEAVY CARBON BUILD UP ON INTAKE VALVES AND PORTS CAUSING LOSS OF POWER AND EXPENSIVE REPAIRS.

NHTSA ODI 10926715

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 335I US. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

NHTSA ODI 10909351

AT 81,000 MILE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED. IT IS UNCLEAR WHETHER THIS CAR HAD THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED AS PART OF THE 2012 RECALL. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON (SES) LIGHT HAD COME ON.

NHTSA ODI 10907166