2011 BMW 3-Series BMW 3-Series 2011

We are 103,000+ car owners sharing real-world car information.

Join Us

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

Show all problems

Need advice about a specific BMW 3-Series problem?

Chart based on 688 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2011 BMW 3-Series.

2011 BMW 3-Series transmission repair cost distribution

$2500+ (6%)

$1000 - $2499 (10%)

$500 - $999 (3%)

$100 - $499 (3%)

< $100 (77%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 31 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 4dr Wagon

230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

10000 mi Auto trans would not shift correctly about 25 percent of time but only when in manual mode and only when upshifting 2nd to 3rd. Entire transmission replaced. 
10000 mi Entire transmission (auto) replaced. Problem only occurred when in manual mode and only during upshift from 2nd to 3rd gear. Transmission would momentarily (1 to 2 seconds)shift into neutral between 2 to 3 upshift. Fault code found. 
79000 mi

US $1000
The entire PRND shifter module needed to be replaced. Was not always possible to put shifter into D position-needed to wiggle it around until it indicated D on dash display. Instead would go into M1 and would not shift out of M1 - car would reached rev limit and cut fuel. 
46000 mi Automatic transmission would not shift between gears properly 

Return to top

2011 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD

77000 mi Shop told that the Mechatronics unit is not working properly and should be replaced. Part costs $3500 with labor it is about $4000. It causes jerky shifts especially between first and second gear and flare shifts where transmission slams into gears very hard. 
54000 mi

US $1100
Transmission seal 

Return to top

2011 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD

53000 mi My CPO warranty ran out Nov 2016. In March 2017, the 6-speed manual shifter LOUDLY popped out of 1st gear. So loudly that I thought I'd ran over something! I thought it was a fluke from not properly engaging the clutch, but it kept reoccurring. Called the local BMW dealer about diagnosing it but he said they didn't fix transmissions, only replaced them. Took it to an independent mechanic specializing only in European cars - he drove it and re-created the problem. $5K parts/labor for used transmission and $7K for new! On a car with barely 50K miles?? I decided to skip the repair and shift out of first as soon as the car starts rolling. Not ideal for enjoying the "ultimate driving machine" but it beats driving in fear of losing power in the middle of an intersection. Now I understand why people lease BMW's or sell them as soon as the warranty runs out. Buyer beware!! 

Return to top

2011 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed manual AWD

47000 mi Dual mass flywheel has hot spots. Didnt notice tgis in the test drive since it surfaces only on hot days and if I have been driving around quite a bit 
50000 mi Clutch shuddering 

Return to top

2011 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 265hp 3.0L I6 Diesel 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD

86000 mi

US $3200
Maintenance, intake carbon cleaning, diagnose multiple SAS codes 
93000 mi

US $5200
Transmission failure. It was randomly downshifting to second gear from 6th during highway passing maneuvers. Turns out that the tranny is spec'd to last only 200k km so mine was still a bit premature. 

Return to top

2011 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan

414-horsepower 4.0L V8 7-speed automated manual RWD

70000 mi

US $3600
Transmission fluid leak repair 
23700 mi Grinding noise while turning. Needed to replace fluid 
8000 mi grinding noise with low speed turns. resolved with changing the differential fluid. Dealer resolved problem quickly. 

Return to top

2011 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan

230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD

19000 mi RPM would dip low (near stall, but no stall) at idle occassionaly. Also car would occasionally tug at brakes while idle. The RPM issue has not reappeared. The problem was an internal BMW TSB of known software glitch. 
31700 mi Had a metallic rubbing noise at 30mph or higher. similar to the noise you get with bad engine mounts. Replace differential. 
44000 mi Car would not shift out of first gear. Dealer tried to duplicate but could not do so. 
51000 mi Torque converter failed 

Return to top

2011 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan

230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

37000 mi Replace front input shaft seal (leaking) and replace fluid. 
62000 mi vibration 
62000 mi Vibration at speed 
26040 mi Transmission shifting was hesitating and so they upgraded the software. 
62000 mi

US $50
Leaking o ring in the transfer case adjuster. 

Return to top

2011 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan

230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual AWD

42700 mi

US $175
Leaking rear transmission seal 

Return to top

2011 BMW 3-Series 2dr Hardtop conv.

turbocharged 320hp 3.0L I6 7-speed automated manual RWD

58000 mi

US $800
Replaced the transmission pan due to a leak 

Return to top

2011 BMW 3-Series 2dr Hardtop conv.

turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD

38000 mi flex plate replaced under recall, no cost to me 

Return to top

2011 BMW 3-Series 2dr Hardtop conv.

414-horsepower 4.0L V8 7-speed automated manual RWD

106000 mi DCT Transmission overheated, had to be replaced 

Return to top

2011 BMW 3-Series 2dr Hardtop conv.

230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD

44000 mi felt like the transmission was slipping...dealer said probably torque converter. They wanted to put an additive in the transmission for $550 and if that didn't work replace torque converter for $4000 

Return to top

2011 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe

turbocharged 320hp 3.0L I6 7-speed automated manual RWD

32000 mi

US $50
Check engine light came on. Dealer read code as transmission problem but then said resulted from being too low on fuel 

Return to top

2011 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe

turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

17000 mi leak at transmission output yoke 

Return to top

2011 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe

414-horsepower 4.0L V8 7-speed automated manual RWD

15000 mi breakdown of slip differential fluid causing grinding sound on hard turns 

Return to top

2011 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe

230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD

75000 mi

US $1500
Differential seal was leaking and needed replacement. Also replaced bushings. 

Return to top

2011 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe

230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

7000 mi Leaky transmission. Replaced seal. 

Return to top

See TrueDelta's information for all Sedans and Wagons.
See TrueDelta's information for all BMW models.

2011 BMW 3-Series Transmission Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2011 BMW 3-Series problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.