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2011 BMW 3-Series repairs by problem area
Engine (49%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (5%)
Brakes and Traction Control (3%)
Suspension and Steering (7%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (23%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (8%)
Other (5%)
Select a problem area
- Engine
- Transmission and Drivetrain
- Brakes and Traction Control
- Suspension and Steering
- Electrical and Air Conditioning
- Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim
- Other
Chart based on 688 repairs.
2011 BMW 3-Series electrical repair cost distribution
$2500+ (4%)
$1000 - $2499 (5%)
$500 - $999 (9%)
$100 - $499 (27%)
< $100 (54%)
Chart based on 114 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2011 BMW 3-Series
Engine not specified
| 10000 mi | Evaporator core replaced |
2011 BMW 3-Series 4dr Wagon
230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 46500 mi | Left front speaker drops out for a few seconds then comes back on if you raise volume or open/close drivers door. Despite playing a recording to the shop foreman the dealer could not repair because they did not hear it themselves. |
| 47300 mi | left speaker cuts out randomly Driver door switch module replaced due to sticking rear window lockout switch |
| 55400 mi US $1200 |
Battery not holding charge and seemed reasonable after 4 bad winters. The charging module showed a fault and told it needed to be replaced. "registerable" BMW Battery $500, charging module $400. |
| 75000 mi US $2500 |
Replace alternator and ground cable |
| 78000 mi US $400 |
Replaced 2.5 year old BMW dealer battery. |
| 43300 mi US $300 |
Battery test revealed battery needed to be replaced. |
2011 BMW 3-Series 4dr Wagon
230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual AWD
| 93000 mi C $100 |
FRM3 corruption, needed to reflash working EEE |
| 94240 mi C $200 |
known FRM3 corruption failure. Open recall in the USA, but not in Canada |
2011 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 75000 mi US $200 |
AC system evacuation, leak check, and recharge. No leaks found so a simple recharge fixed the issue. |
| 51000 mi | door lock failed |
| 85000 mi US $130 |
Battery failed |
| 75000 mi US $150 |
Freon was only at 50 percent and AC was not blowing very cold. Freon recharged and schrader valves replaced. |
| 12700 mi | Both left and right adaptive headlight module replaced; ECU reflashed to sync the modules. |
| 1713 mi | Replaced iDrive controller and battery |
| US $326 | Slow starting, replaced battery. |
| 90280 mi US $1225 |
Replaced starter |
| 54000 mi US $1100 |
hard starting, replaced battery. Installed new battery. One of few items not covered by CPO or paid maintenance policy. $600 with install. That and some other BS turned me off on BMW of Dallas. turn light |
| 59000 mi US $54 |
Also had bad vibration on AC blower. Replaced. CPO fixed. |
| 63000 mi US $1297 |
The TPM (tire pressure) was a CPO item but they laid it off on both rear senders being bad so got to charge me for those and a fat fee for diagnostics. |
| 53000 mi US $120 |
Sensor related battery needed replacing |
| 59000 mi US $50 |
Replaced evaporator. |
| 67000 mi US $820 |
Repair blower motor. |
2011 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 50000 mi | Park distance control malfunction |
| 12700 mi | Battery failed load test at 9.2V (charge status at 51%). Alternator output at 110amps. Replaced battery under warranty. |
| 10000 mi | Electrical system malfunction noted, said car could not be driven but there were no problems with driving it. Took it to dealer on no notice. |
| 310 mi | car delivered to me with faulty CD/DVD player CD/DVD replaced at dealership but steering was scratched and wood trim was not properly installed in the dash.. |
| 55100 mi US $50 |
AC Blower motor replacement |
| 55500 mi US $500 |
Blue tooth not working with new Android update |
2011 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD
| 82000 mi US $350 |
Replace starter motor |
| 82000 mi US $160 |
Replace battery and register to vehicle |
| 3800 mi | Evacuate and recharge AC system; no real improvement. |
| 25000 mi | Radio "acquiring signal" on every start after car sits for more than a day or two. This is now this car's THIRD radio; would have cost well over $1k if out of warranty. |
2011 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed manual AWD
| 50000 mi | Windshield washer pump replaced |
| 15000 mi | Adaptive light module malfunction. |
| 46600 mi | Headlight replaced |
2011 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 265hp 3.0L I6 Diesel 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 46000 mi | iDrive system control knob completely non-functional. |
| 99000 mi US $200 |
Replace headlight. |
| 32000 mi | sensor in fuel tank failed. replaced under warranty |
| 145000 mi US $850 |
replace blower motor |
| 27700 mi | Radio loses set stations. |
| 34200 mi | Noisy blower motor. Noisy AC compressor clutch. The problem is, the noise only occurs on hot days, and we haven't had any yet. this year. |
| 42300 mi US $500 |
I drive error message. Excessive battery drain. Solved by replacing battery. |
| 29000 mi | System checked. Found OK. Routine scheduled maintenance performed one month ahead of schedule. |
| 24000 mi | Belt squeal when starting car with compressor on. From reading forums on-line, apparently this is an issue with the 335ds only (not X5 diesel). |
| 18000 mi | Drivers door control panel for windows and side mirrors failed and was non-responsive. Prior to delivery, dealer replaced control panel (no charge to owner). |
| 62000 mi US $10 |
Rear taillight bulb out. Required substantial disassembly to replace. |
| 29200 mi | Fan blower unit was failing. Replaced. |
| 33933 mi US $179 |
Replace OEM battery |
| 28000 mi | Indicator light in FZD module failed. Replaced indicator light. |
| 17000 mi | Replace A/C compressor belt. |
| 24000 mi | Recharged battery. Still get battery warnings when driven short distances. |
2011 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan
414-horsepower 4.0L V8 7-speed automated manual RWD
| 58300 mi | Tire pressure monitoring system |
2011 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan
414-horsepower 4.0L V8 6-speed manual RWD
| 75000 mi US $3500 |
Replaced battery |
2011 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan
230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 14000 mi | Radio Screen washing out (fading).Bmw replaced with new radio. |
| 32800 mi | IBS Battery cable failed |
| 37000 mi | Driver's side door lock malfunctioning. Driver's door lock actuator drive unit replaced Rear sunshade not operating. Replaced rear sunshade assembly. |
| 43800 mi | AC blowing roughly. Blower Motor replaced |
| 60000 mi US $4000 |
oil measurement function stopped. oil sensor still doesn't function with replacement and new system with computer controller will cost ~$1700. Main computer on car is dead and replacement will cost ~$2300. |
| 46480 mi | One of the angle eyes failed. |
| 48540 mi | Day time running light replaced. |
| 24000 mi | Car wouldn't start. After jumping it the electrical system flickered off and on, then the next morning, the car wouldn't jump. Had to tow it to dealer |
| 27100 mi | A/C controller |
| 41000 mi US $150 |
Battery replacement |
| 7000 mi | Car in for 1st scheduled maintenance: Oil change. Also wiper blades replaced (BMW noticed blades cracked). Both free as part of BMW warranty. BMW noticed AC noise. Leaking evaporator replaced. DIAG code D6450 00000000 19 01. Also Free. |
| 7000 mi | Air conditioner not working. Air blowing but is not cold. Leaking evaporator replaced. This is the second time BMW has replaced the part. Service representative said they have been seeing issues with evaporators. Covered under BMW warranty. |
| 28000 mi US $331 |
battery died and we were stranded until BMW roadside service came along. Dealer said we had ruined battery by leaving radio on. Utter nonsense. Battery should have been covered by warranty - I was charged $332. |
| 10200 mi | Adaptive headlights malfunction. |
2011 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan
230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 79000 mi | Battery not charging. Alternator replaced under CPO warranty. |
| 81000 mi | Communication problem between two electrical modules causing various dashboard lights to illuminate. |
| 37200 mi | The iDrive failed and had to be reprogrammed. The std repair is to reprogram and monitor. If it fails again, they will have to replace the head unit. Thankful it was under warranty, I dread finding out how much this repair cost. |
| 54560 mi C $70 |
Headlight washer pump |
| 15300 mi | Radio/sound system repaired Battery cable terminal end(s) replaced |
| 113331 mi US $1566 |
Car would not start - Starter assembly replaced |
| 43400 mi | computer was acting up, Maintaince section was frozen( km remaining not changing) Computer was restored to factory settings and updated |
| 60760 mi C $2700 |
Navigation / multi music system short circuited full replacement |
| 27280 mi C $80 |
replaced engine ground cable |
| 51420 mi | comfort access stopped working from driver door, exterior handled was warm (it is winter). dealer replaced the handle and everything is ok. |
| 12600 mi | Radio was acting erratically including occasional loud vibration-like sound coming from rear speakers & randomly changing audio sources. Dealer replaced radio under warranty, but not without an argument. Had to show them a TSB for the issue. |
| 20000 mi | A/C was not blowing real cold, needed recharge. |
| 37300 mi | Driver side door lock failed upon delivery. Replaced under warranty. |
| 48000 mi | Driver side (rear) door lock gets stuck. Door lock actuator replacement. |
| 27000 mi | Passenger airbag sensor (seatbelt indicator) mat has gone bad, seatbelt indicator always triggering even when no passenger in the seat. |
| 46300 mi | Idrive replaced through warranty. Idrive knob was peeling off the plating. |
| 60000 mi US $120 |
A/C recharge. |
| 62000 mi US $50 |
Lock actuator in drivers door failing. |
| 76000 mi US $140 |
AC freon charge and diagnosis |
| passenger mirror sometimes does not work or gets stuck in down position after car is in reverse |
| 51000 mi US $500 |
rear LED light replaced |
| 11000 mi | Very loud static from rear speaker. Multiple engine on off didn't correct. Only when car was locked and left for about 5min, noise stopped spontaneously. Unclear why. Has not recurred past 300 miles. Running normally now. |
| 49000 mi | Drive door lock stuck. Actuator replaced. |
| 14260 mi | The evaporator had to be replaced |
| 21700 mi | Warranty repair of last summer, one of the connections was not hooked up. |
| 11100 mi C $375 |
Warning light showed battery problems several times,replaced 7 year ol battery. |
| 44020 mi C $244 |
ON checkup Budd's service advisor told us we need battery replaced and tires. Asked to have battery replaced but were told they could not do so. Took car to Grand River BMW, checked things out and everything was okay. |
| 35100 mi | TPMS module malfunctioned |
2011 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan
230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD
| 23000 mi | electrical wiring issue caused gas gauge to malfunction |
| 18000 mi | Window switches were broken on the drivers side. Lock button stuck. |
| 25000 mi | Car continues to have irritating odor coming from the vents when the AC or heat is on. Dealer can't figure it out. They treated AC with chemical based on the idea that it might be mold but it didn't work. |
| 29000 mi | Dealer replaced leaking AC evaporator. Didn't solve problem. |
| 32000 mi | Failed Battery |
| 39000 mi | Rear drivers window would not auto close. Dealer had to re-calibrate the anti-trap feature on window. |
| 49000 mi | Computer was reporting rear brakes needed service, was faulty error, had to have computer reprogrammed with new software. squeaking and squealing from ac blower motor fan on low speeds |
| 55300 mi US $950 |
No freon in system, evaporator was the source of leak. Replaced evaporator. |
| 80000 mi | Car would not start, pressing the start button resulted in radio turning off, and all the dash lights going off then on again. Was able to jump start the car and drive to dealer for battery replacement. |
| 37200 mi | Failed to start on a very cold day. Dealer service found Battery not holding full charge, replaced under warranty. |
2011 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan
230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual AWD
| 111600 mi C $440 |
Battery wouldn't start car. |
| 25000 mi | Rear power sunshade was not retracting. Dealer replaced sunshade assembly. |
| 45000 mi | The rear power sunshade quit working for the second time. I did not get it repaired before I sold the car to the dealer still under warranty. |
| 33000 mi US $200 |
Battery replacement |
| 45700 mi | Radio - no sound |
| 81008 mi C $500 |
Battery needed replacement and electrical system reprogrammed. Lost 1 stop bulb. |
2011 BMW 3-Series 2dr Hardtop conv.
turbocharged 320hp 3.0L I6 7-speed automated manual RWD
| 11300 mi | instrument panel reported discharge issue. multiple trips to dealer before battery was replaced. no further problem |
2011 BMW 3-Series 2dr Hardtop conv.
turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 13000 mi | Replaced battery under recall |
| 10000 mi | Battery not holding charge - replaced under warranty |
2011 BMW 3-Series 2dr Hardtop conv.
414-horsepower 4.0L V8 7-speed automated manual RWD
| 52000 mi | Side marker light malfunction |
| 124700 mi US $400 |
Replaced right rear tire pressure sensor |
| 128000 mi US $300 |
Replace battery |
| 139000 mi US $3200 |
Compressor replaced |
| 30300 mi | TPMS Failure, Dealer replaced RDC Wheel Electronic Module |
2011 BMW 3-Series 2dr Hardtop conv.
230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 50000 mi US $868 |
windshield washer motor |
| 23700 mi | Multiple system error messages shown on dashboard |
2011 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe
turbocharged 320hp 3.0L I6 7-speed automated manual RWD
| 66000 mi US $800 |
AC Supply hose developed a leak at the connector. |
| 36000 mi | Replacement of failed rear-view mirror (with garage door opener & auto dim function). Recharge of low battery. |
| 45000 mi | Radio head was emitting a high pitch hum at all times through speakers. Factory reset was performed on radio and problem was resolved. |
| 54000 mi US $300 |
Battery Replacement and coding (BMW requires battery to be coded to the computer, preventing owners from doing this ourselves.) |
2011 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe
turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 1000 mi | Electrical failure for control switch for driver side window and mirror adjustments. |
| 43700 mi | AC evaporation unit. Plus rear window shade replaced |
2011 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe
turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD
| 45300 mi US $200 |
TPMS sensors were not transmitting. All 4 needed replacement. |
| 55000 mi US $450 |
Speaker was blown. |
| 50000 mi US $50 |
Battery dead and replaced. |
2011 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe
414-horsepower 4.0L V8 7-speed automated manual RWD
| 15000 mi | Freon leak -- removed, cleaned and reassembled expansion valve; replaced inlet and outlet seals, recharged system |
| 1240 mi | I had the first service done and the check engine light kept coming on after the oil change. The car went back twice to the dealer to get the light to stay off. Still not sure if they overfilled the oil or if the sensor was wrong... |
| 29700 mi | Evaporator replacement |
| 38200 mi US $100 |
HVAC Blower motor/Blower regulator/wiring replacement. |
2011 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe
414-horsepower 4.0L V8 6-speed manual RWD
| 13000 mi | leak in evap unit under dashboard |
| 51000 mi US $500 |
TPMS System Malfunction - TPMS module replaced alternator has a slight clicking noise, generates and turns fine. Decided to live with it for now. |
2011 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe
230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 9000 mi | Warning light of extra discharge from battery |
| 11000 mi | Replaced battery due too bad cell. |
| 16000 mi | OEM battery replacement by owner and registered by Dealer to properly charge. Recall airbag replacement |
| 33800 mi | Car wouldn't start, cranked briefly and then power flickered on/off for a minute. Jump start worked. Dealer diagnosed as bad battery. No prior warnings, although with original battery, car used to fast idle after start. |
| 80000 mi US $210 |
AC was blowing uncooled air. Leak test passed, AC recharged. |
2011 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe
230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 42000 mi | A/C evaporator had to be replaced. |
| 40500 mi US $376 |
Installed new battery. Combox recall. |
| 46000 mi US $400 |
battery replaced |
| 38000 mi | Tire pressure monitor failed. Replaced control unit under warranty. |
2011 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe
230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD
| 40000 mi US $180 |
Battery died suddenly |
2011 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe
230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual AWD
| 43900 mi | The seat sensor would detect a person falsely when it was warm outside causing the seatbelt warning. |
| 57000 mi US $282 |
Battery needed to be repalced |
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