Recall 11V476 covers 190 2011 BMW 328I and 335I vehicles for loose front driveshaft bolts. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
BMW is recalling 190 2011 328I and 335I xDrive vehicles because the front driveshaft attachment bolts were not tightened to specification. If those bolts loosen, the vehicle can lose power to the front wheels and break down, increasing crash risk; the BMW dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The front driveshaft on the 2011 BMW 328I and 335I xDrive is part of the all-wheel-drive driveline. It carries engine power through a rotating shaft to the front wheels, and its attachment bolts keep that shaft clamped in place while the driveline turns under load.
On affected vehicles, the front driveshaft attachment bolts were not tightened to BMW's specification during manufacturing. A bolt that starts below the required clamp load can work loose as the shaft turns, especially as normal driveline vibration and torque pass through the connection. Once the joint is loose, the shaft no longer stays secured the way it was designed to.
There is no warning sign before failure. Do not count on a dashboard light, noise, or change in driving feel to appear before the loose attachment becomes a safety problem.
Who's affected?
Covers the 328I and 335I from the same model year, both using the same driveline component.
| 2011 BMW 328I | driveline |
|---|---|
| 2011 BMW 335I | driveline |
| Units affected | 190 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the front driveshaft attachment bolts loosen, the vehicle can lose power to the front wheels and break down, increasing crash risk. Use caution, and pull over safely if the vehicle loses power. Repair will be free at any franchised BMW dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011 BMW 328I or 335I is included in this recall.
- Use the BMW owner notice if you have it, or your VIN result, before calling about the repair.
- Contact a franchised BMW dealer about the free front-driveshaft bolt replacement that secures the driveline connection to the front wheels.
- Reference recall number 11V476 when you call BMW or the dealer.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Stop driving and call BMW customer relations if the vehicle loses power to the front wheels or breaks down.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a BMW technician replaces the front driveshaft attachment bolts covered by recall 11V476. Those bolts secure the front driveshaft, so the service focuses on removing the suspect hardware and installing properly tightened replacement bolts. The dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall. If your VIN is included, ask the BMW service desk whether the recall repair is open for your vehicle before arranging the appointment.
Timeline
| September 15, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 14, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V476?
Recall 11V476 covers 190 2011 BMW 328I and 335I xDrive vehicles with front driveshaft attachment bolts that were not tightened to specification. Loose bolts can cause loss of power to the front wheels and a vehicle breakdown, increasing crash risk.
What should I do if my 2011 BMW 328I or 335I is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific BMW is included in recall 11V476. If it is, contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule replacement of the front driveshaft attachment bolts. Reference recall 11V476 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. BMW dealers will replace the front driveshaft attachment bolts free of charge at any franchised BMW dealer.
Is it safe to drive my BMW before this recall repair?
This recall does not include a do-not-drive order. The risk is that loose front driveshaft attachment bolts can cause loss of power to the front wheels and a breakdown, increasing crash risk. Check your VIN and schedule the free dealer repair if your vehicle is included.
What if I bought the BMW used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. If you never received a BMW notice, check your VIN to confirm whether your 2011 328I or 335I is included, then call a franchised BMW dealer with recall 11V476.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V476000 |
|---|---|
| BMW customer service | 1-800-525-7417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V476 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V476000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →