2011 BMW 3 Series  RealSafeCars79Safety Rating

#18 of 2011 Sedan/Hatchback/Wagons

#44 of all 2011 vehicles


Pictured: 2012 BMW 3 Series
The 3 Series, a mainstay of BMW's lineup for decades, is a midsize sedan/hatchback/wagon with seating up to 5. The BMW 3 Series has exceptional horsepower for its class, packing substantial oomph. The 3 Series has offered Android Auto since 2021 and Apple CarPlay since 2017. With optional all-wheel drive (AWD), it bypasses mud and snow with ease. BMW offers a 4-year, 50,000-mile basic/powertrain warranty on its lineup.


The 2011 BMW 3 Series is average compared to all vehicles.

Comparison to all vehicles.  This plot shows RSC safety scores on the horizontal axis vs. the number of vehicles with each safety score (depicted by bar height and percentages at the bottom). Colors reflect vehicle safety, ranging from red (not that safe) to green (safer). For reference, a score of 0 implies a 0.15% chance of driver death (13% chance of driver injury) over 15 years, and a score of 100 reflects a 0.016% chance (1.4% chance of driver injury). The 2011 BMW 3 Series has a score of 79, implying a 0.043% chance of driver death (3.9% chance of injury).

We estimate that the 2011 BMW 3 Series has a vehicle lifetime fatality chance of 0.0431% and a vehicle lifetime injury chance of 4.9254%, meaning the average driver has a 0.0431% chance of dying in an accident if they drive the car under regular conditions for fifteen years, and a 4.9254% chance of being injured.

Compared to the average vehicle, the 2011 BMW 3 Series is 7% less likely to result in a fatal accident. Compared to other sedans, hatchbacks, and wagons, the 2011 BMW 3 Series is 15% less likely to result in a fatal accident.


And it is about as safe as many comparable models.

9258Cadillac CTSM. Eclipse SpyderLexus ISLincoln MKZINFINITI EXVolvo S60Audi Q5M.-B. C-ClassLexus ES-350Volvo C70BMW 3 SeriesINFINITI GComparison to similar models.  This plot compares the RSC rating of the 2011 BMW 3 Series with its main competition. Models are plotted on a scale from 58 to 92. The 2011 BMW 3 Series is safer than the 2011 Cadillac CTS, the 2011 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, the 2011 Lexus IS, and the 2011 Lincoln MKZ and less safe than the 2011 Mercedes-Benz C-Class and the 2011 Audi Q5. It is about as safe as the 2011 INFINITI G and the 2011 Volvo C70.

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