My bmw 328i e93 has the service engine soon (ses) light come on while I was driving on the highway. The computer shows error code 2b3a (p1449 dmtl system fault). I cleared the code and it came back a week later. I tried replacing the gas cap and the error still comes back the same. I was doing further research and came across this article (attached) from describing the same exact problem, with the same exact code and even my engine is the same n52k for my e93 328i. The dmtl pump is there to help reduce emissions and if the system is faulty, the bmw dealership should honor the request for service work to replace the dmtl pump under the emissions/extended emissions warranty. I called and they said there's no recall for this VIN so they can't help me...and they are making me pay for the diagnostic fee...but I do in fact have my emissions warranty still in effect for the VIN which is 8 years or 80,000 miles, whichever comes first. It seems that there needs to be an active recall for these faulty dmtl pumps/systems as this problem exists for engines like mine -the n52k engine. I encourage the federal safety agency to take a look into this matter and work closely with bmw north america to institute a remedy for this. Thank you in advance and have a nice day.
The worst 2011 BMW 328 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Airbags13
- Electrical9
- Engine4
- Seat belts4
- Lights3
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags13
- Electrical9
- Engine4
- Seat belts4
- Lights3
- Driver assistance2
- Fuel system2
- Seats2
- Transmission2
- Acceleration1
- Body1
- Suspension1
- Visibility1
- Wheels1
Recalls 1
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 16V071000 · Recall details
See all 1 recalls for the 2011 BMW 328
Defect investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
EA21002
Technical service bulletins for the 2011 BMW 328 9
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few...
- The engine?s intake charge-air duct limited warranty extension to 10 years/120,000 miles applies to...
- Bmw: on some vehicles, when starting, low beam, with 0552 option, would briefly flashes, due to a faulty...
- Bmw: different fault codes stored for the N51, N52K, N52T, and N55 engines in the dme related to vanos and...
- Bmw: crankcase pressure diagnosis and information for all vehicles. rm updated on 4/24/2013. kb
- Bmw: changes have been made to the vehicle¿s display elements of the tire pressure monitor system. rm
- Bmw: procedure for determining and replacing incandescent and halogen light bulbs under warranty. rm
- Bmw: a new technical process has been created for bmw to identify causes of steering complaints with a...
What 2011 BMW 328 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Sometimes when I try to open the driver's side door using the mechanical handle, door does not unlock. I have to use my key fob to remotely unlock the car before the door handle will work to open the door.
The door handle actuator sporadically fails and the door can not be opened with either the inside or outside door handle.
I have a bmw 328i series 2011 4 door sedan vehicle ) I purchased my car 2018 april and since the 1 st day it has given me electrical problems diagnostics nor any mechanic have found soultion the vehicles battery suddenly drains I have gotten 5 new batterys replaced because they end up being bad and I always have a drained battery after 3 or less hours of recently usage also the vehicle in various occasion turns of in the freeway ,while driving in the street etc. When it shutsdown lights flicker ,and in dashboard theirs shortage noise and in the dashboard the ground picture with the vehicle is red (no check engine ) my brake light is permanently on then after 1-2 min car turns on completly well and the ground logo with the vechile is yellow but it can turn of and do the same in 1-3 min or sometimes it wont do it until 4 hr or the next day but it is a constant thing everytime I drive the vehicle I have started to worry because I noticed my battery full of acid and I replaced it three time because tr scid is melting the metal were the battery goes and it is next to the gas tank
Takata airbag problems on the passenger side of the vechicle. When I bought this car from the third party dealership, 'chase autoplex' he resetted the settings everything was working properly, but after getting home, the next day my car showed airbag problems. When I called him, he said he can't help me out with it. So my question is that, if you guys can help me get a recall on this airbag, so I don't have to spent money on it myself, I will appreciate it. Thanks
Electrical system malfunction. Bmw dealer ship not taking responsibility for these defects, the sparks plugs keep burning out due to the car overheating.
I called the dealership (motorworks bmw in bloomington mn) regarding two open recalls (pcv heater and air bag) they told me that the airbag was not affected but they would repair the pcv heater. I am more concerned about the air bag as it is related to crash safety.
Both driver and passenger LED tail lights are starting to fail. Both are flickering and one is dimming, this is happening on the tail gate mounted lights
Have a recall on blower motor wiring and valve heater. Took my vehicle to dealer couple of time, they checked and notified that some wires are burning and needs to be replaced but unable to do so due to part not available. It's been couple of months now and I haven't heard from the dealer.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 bmw 328. While driving 45 MPH, the contact heard an explosion coming from the air conditioner/heating system. The contact noticed fumes coming from the vents. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and turned off the engine. Upon restarting the vehicle, the air conditioner failed to operate. The contact mentioned that during the winter season, condensation appeared on the windows when the heating system was activated. The vehicle was taken to park ave bmw (530 huyler st, south hackensack, nj 07606, (201) 843-4999) where it was diagnosed that the blower motor wiring needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact received a recall notice for the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v676000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 73,450. Vin tool confirms parts not available. *tt
Compare the 2011 BMW 328
Other model years
Questions about the 2011 BMW 328
Is the 2011 BMW 328 reliable?
Owners have filed 37 complaints about the 2011 BMW 328, 4.1 times a typical 328 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2011 BMW 328?
Airbags, with 13 complaints. Next is electrical (9).
How many recalls does the 2011 BMW 328 have?
1 recall, covering air bags.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2011 BMW 328?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history