2011 BMW M

No photo available — body style shown for reference.

The Verdict

Worst problem area

Engine

Engine leads by volume: 16 of 31 complaints (52%) mention it.

Complaints filed rose from 16 in 2010 to 31 in 2011.

Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 5 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.Also cataloged for 2011: 2 configuration(s) of a different vehicle class, excluded from the comparison bar only (but included in the figures above).
Category20092010201120122013vs. 2011 Subcompact Cars
Annual fuel cost ($)4,850–5,9504,850–5,9504,8504,8504,550–5,550
Combined MPG13–1613–16161614–17
City / Highway MPG11–14 / 17–2011–14 / 17–2014 / 20–2114 / 20–2112–15 / 17–22
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)555–684555–684555555516–634
Complaints filed451631625Not compared
Recalls issued76435Not compared
Crash-involved complaints11002Not compared
Fire-involved complaints00101Not compared
Injuries reported00002Not compared
Deaths reported00000Not compared
Configurations compared88448

Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.

Common questions

How many recalls does the 2011 BMW M have?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 2011 BMW M?

Engine: 16 of 31 NHTSA complaints (52%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 2011 BMW M get?

EPA rates it 16 MPG combined.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 BMW M?

EPA estimates $4,850 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

EPA-Rated Configurations (6)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 1Manual 6-spd84.0LRear-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars14 mpg20 mpg (low)16 mpg$4,850555 g/mi
Configuration 2Automatic (S7)84.0LRear-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars14 mpg20 mpg (low)16 mpg$4,850555 g/mi
Configuration 3Manual 6-spd84.0LRear-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars14 mpg21 mpg (high)16 mpg$4,850555 g/mi
Configuration 4Automatic (S7)84.0LRear-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars14 mpg20 mpg (low)16 mpg$4,850555 g/mi
Configuration 5Manual 6-spd84.0LRear-Wheel DrivePremiumCompact Cars14 mpg21 mpg (high)16 mpg$4,850555 g/mi
Configuration 6Automatic (S7)84.0LRear-Wheel DrivePremiumCompact Cars14 mpg20 mpg (low)16 mpg$4,850555 g/mi

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine160000
Transmission & Drivetrain40000
Fuel System00000
Electrical70100
Brakes20000
Steering10000
Suspension, Wheels & Tires00000
Airbags & Restraints60000
Driver Assistance & Speed Control10000
Body, Seats & Latches20000
Visibility & Lighting20100
Other00000

A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.

Recalls (4)

  • AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 20V017000 · Jan 15, 2020

    Defect: 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.

    Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp 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 air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS · Campaign 19V472000 · Jun 20, 2019

    Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009 328i and 328xi, 2009-2011 335d, 2008-2012 M3 Coupe and M3 Convertible, and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. The connection of the positive battery cable at the fuse box terminal may degrade, resulting in an intermittent loss of electrical power.

    Consequence: A loss of electrical power can cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and secure the positive battery cable connector, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion of a previous recall, number 18V-314.

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · Campaign 17V676000 · Oct 27, 2017

    Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.

    Consequence: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

  • AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 16V071000 · Feb 8, 2016

    Defect: 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.

    Consequence: 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.