2011 BMW 128I Complaints and Recall Information
The 2011 BMW 128I has 1 complaint and 9 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report vehicle hesitation while driving, with at least one instance of the vehicle stalling and failing to restart. The reported issue required engine replacement, which was not resolved at the time of complaint.
Common Issues- Vehicle hesitation and stalling. The vehicle hesitates at various speeds and stalled during driving, leading to the need for engine replacement.
The 2011 BMW 128I has 9 recalls affecting various systems, primarily electrical components, engine, and airbag safety. These recalls address risks such as unexpected stalling, fire hazards, and defective airbag inflators.
Recalls- Battery cable connector and wiring (NHTSA Recall 13V044000). Affecting 516,791 vehicles including 2011 1-Series models, the positive battery cable connector and fuse box terminal may degrade, causing loss of electrical power and unexpected stalling, increasing crash risk. Dealers will replace and secure the connector free of charge. Recall started March 13, 2013.
- VANOS housing bolts (NHTSA Recall 14V176000). Affecting 156,137 vehicles including 2011 128i Coupe, bolts securing the variable camshaft timing unit can loosen or break, potentially reducing engine power or causing stall. BMW will replace these bolts free of charge. Recall began September 24, 2014.
- Positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve heater (NHTSA Recall 22V119000). With 917,106 vehicles affected, including the 2011 128i Coupe, the PCV valve heater may short circuit, posing fire risk while driving or shortly after parking. Dealers will install a wiring harness with fuse protection; remedy is being developed. Notifications sent in 2022.
- Blower-regulator wiring harness (NHTSA Recall 19V579000). Affecting 41,981 vehicles including 2011 128i models, the wiring may overheat and cause connector melting, increasing fire risk even when unattended. BMW will inspect and replace the wiring harness free of charge. Recall began October 4, 2019.
- Driver air bag inflator module (NHTSA Recall 20V017000). Affecting 59,965 vehicles including 2011 128i, defective inflators using phase stabilized ammonium nitrate may explode due to propellant degradation, risking serious injury or death. Dealers will replace driver air bags or inflators free of charge. Recall began March 11, 2020.
- Driver air bag inflator module (NHTSA Recall 16V071000). Involving 840,000 vehicles including 2011 128i, inflators may rupture upon deployment, showering occupants with metal fragments. BMW will replace affected modules or inflators at no cost. Recall began March 9, 2018.
- PCV valve heater short circuit (NHTSA Recall 17V683000). Affecting 740,561 vehicles including 2011 128i, the PCV valve heater may short circuit and melt internal parts, increasing fire risk even when the vehicle is off. Dealers will replace the heater free of charge. Notifications began late 2017.
Owners of the 2011 BMW 128I who face repeated repairs, ongoing safety defects, or unresolved recall repairs should review their state’s lemon law provisions. Legal options may be available for vehicles with persistent or serious issues affecting safety or reliability.
2011 BMW 128I Summary
2011
Model Year
1
Total Complaints
7
Total Recalls
3272541
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2011 BMW 128I
917106 vehicles affected
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
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.
Risk: 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.
2011 BMW 128I
59965 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2011 BMW 128I
41981 vehicles affected
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2012 BMW 128i, 135i, 135is Coupes and 128i, 135i Convertible vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors in the blower-regulator wiring harness may overheat.
Risk: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
2011 BMW 128I
740561 vehicles affected
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
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.
Risk: An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
2011 BMW 128I
840000 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
2011 BMW 128I
156137 vehicles affected
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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.
Risk: If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
2011 BMW 128I
516791 vehicles affected
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.
Risk: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Complaints
2011 BMW 128I
ID: 2074933ENGINE
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 128I. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated. The contact stated that on one occasion while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated and then stalled. The vehicle was not able to restart. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.