NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
21 reportsClear category filter70,000 miles · Dec 1, 2023
EngineFuel System, Gasoline
The contact owns a 2009 BMW 535I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle vibrated violently with a message displayed to, "Check Engine – Engine Power Reduced”. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed failures with the spar…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2009 BMW 535I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle vibrated violently with a message displayed to, "Check Engine – Engine Power Reduced”. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed failures with the spark plugs and ignition coil. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, who diagnosed failures with the valve cover gasket and upper radiator hose. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, who diagnosed failures with the evaporative leak detection assembly, water pump, and high-pressure fuel pump. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was 70,000.
NHTSA ODI #11557928
Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2022
Engine
While driving I have received engine malfunction and steering becomes hard and unsafe. Have had the engine belt shred to pieces and case major issues. Same repair has been completed multiple times. Great vehicle becoming unsafe to have on the road. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspec…
Read full complaint
While driving I have received engine malfunction and steering becomes hard and unsafe. Have had the engine belt shred to pieces and case major issues. Same repair has been completed multiple times. Great vehicle becoming unsafe to have on the road. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Engine Malfunction, Battery Malfunction and Yes. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? This put my safety at risk because I was on the expressway and the steering was hard to turn or direct. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No there were not any other messages or symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. When the light came on, I pulled over in a safe place. This has happened the first time on August 20, 2019; 2nd time November 9, 2019; 3rd time March 22, 2020; 4th time January 20, 2021; 5th time June 6, 2022. This is too costly for BMW certified parts to continue to occur. As reputable as the product is and with certified technicians, there should be a recall on the continuous leaks and belt shredding causing major issues to the vehicle. 17-22-2-245-358 - (2) O-Ring 83-19-2-451-316 - BMW Non-Chlor. Brak 11-28-7-628-653 - Ribbed V-Belt. 11-42-7-573-212 - Thermostat Housing 11-42-8-637-820 - Gasket 17-22-2-245-358 – (2) O-Ring 83-19-2-451-316 - BMW Non-Chlor. Brak 11-42-7-525-334 - Oil Filter Cover 11-42-7-573-212 - Thermostat Housing 11-42-8-637-820 - Gasket 17-22-2-245-358 – (2) O-Ring 83-19-2-451-316 - BMW Non-Chlor. Brak 11-42-7-525-334 - Oil Filter Cover
NHTSA ODI #11467990
115,600 miles · May 16, 2022
Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine
The contact owns a 2009 BMW 535i. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic for servicing, he was informed that the vehicle was leaking oil. The oil filter housing and the valve cover gaskets were replaced. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2009 BMW 535i. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic for servicing, he was informed that the vehicle was leaking oil. The oil filter housing and the valve cover gaskets were replaced. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the spark plugs and the coil pack needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the coil pack needed to be replaced. Additionally, the contact stated that the turn signals and the horn were no longer operatives. The independent mechanic diagnosed that the steering column had failed. The contact also stated that the rear passenger's side and the rear driver's side windows were no longer operating as needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 115,600. The consumer stated there is a recall for this vehicle.
NHTSA ODI #11464833
40 miles · Jan 23, 2020
EngineSuspensionUnknown Or Other
BMW 2009 535 XI OWNER. OUT OF ALL OF THE TIMES TAKING THE CAR FOR SERVICE FOR VARIOUS REASONS, I DECIDED TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION REGARDING MY LATEST ISSUE. TWIN TURBO. I WAS TOLD THE REAR TURBO WAS BAD AND IT IS RECOMMENDED TO DO BOTH. I HAD THE CAR SERVICED IN OCTOBER, THEY TOLD ME THE OIL SMELL WAS DUE TO THE SPRING FROM OIL C…
Read full complaint
BMW 2009 535 XI OWNER. OUT OF ALL OF THE TIMES TAKING THE CAR FOR SERVICE FOR VARIOUS REASONS, I DECIDED TO LOOK FOR INFORMATION REGARDING MY LATEST ISSUE. TWIN TURBO. I WAS TOLD THE REAR TURBO WAS BAD AND IT IS RECOMMENDED TO DO BOTH. I HAD THE CAR SERVICED IN OCTOBER, THEY TOLD ME THE OIL SMELL WAS DUE TO THE SPRING FROM OIL CAP MISSING. BEFORE OCT 2019 I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE OIL SMELL AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A LEAK FROM A HOSE (I NEVER SAW ANY FLUIDS ON GROUND) THIS LAST INCIDENT, I WAS ON THE ROAD WHEN I EXITED THE HIGHWAY I GOT AN ENGINE WARNING TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY. OIL WAS LOW. I TOOK IT BACK TO BMW AND I WAS TOLD THE REAR TURBO WAS BAD. THEY NOW WANT $6,900. I READ IN A FEW POSTS THAT THE TWIN TURBO ISSUE WAS EXT. TO 10 YEARS OR 120,000 MILES. MY CAR WAS FIRST PURCHASE IN MAY 2009. I AM ASSUMING I AM OUT OF TIME. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF A RECALL. MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT COME UP WITH ANY RECALLS, EVEN THOUGH MOST OF THE ISSUES ARE THE SAME AS OTHER 2009 BMW OWNERS. MY CAR DOES NOT HAVE 120,000 MILES YET. I TOOK THE CAR TO BMW FOR VANOS SOLENOIDS IN OCT 2019. AND ANOTHER TIME IN OCT BECAUSE THE CAR OVER HEATED SUDDENLY IN LESS THAN HALF A MILE. IT WAS THE FAN. RECENTLY I LEARNED THAT SOME OF THE 2009 BMW 535 HAD A RECALL BUT I NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING. I QUESTIONED THE DEALER BUT HE SAID HE HAD NOTHING ON FILE. FURTHER READING I FOUND OUT THAT THE COMPANY I BELIEVED CALLED VANOS WAS DOING THE RECALLS. IN OCTOBER 2019 I SPENT ABOUT $3,000 IN REPAIRS. I NOW BELIEVE I COULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY A RECALL OR EXT. WARRANTY. OVERALL ON DIFFERENT ISSUES I THINK I HAVE SPENT OVER $13,000 IN REPAIRS (INCLUDING TRANSFER CASE AND DIFFERENTIAL THAT THE WARRANTY DID NOT PAY BECAUSE THE CAR DID NOT HAVE SPECIFIED 17' TIRES: BUT I BOUGHT WITH STAGGERED 18' TIRES). I STILL OWE APPROXIMATELY $7,500 TO THE BANK. I TAKE IT TO BE SERVICED ALL THE TIME, SO I'M BAFFLED.
NHTSA ODI #11301285
140,000 miles · Aug 9, 2019
Engine
AS I AM DRIVING MY BMW AFTER 5 MINUTES OF START IT. I SMELLED OIL COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE. EVEN AFTER NOT DRINK THE CAR FOR ABOUT ONE WEEK THE SMELL WAS STILL THERE. I AM CONCERN THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE. EVEN ON A COOL 60 DEGREE DAY THE ENGINE IS TOO HOT TO TOUCH. I FEEL THAT THE COOLANT IN NOT GOING TO THE ENGI…
Read full complaint
AS I AM DRIVING MY BMW AFTER 5 MINUTES OF START IT. I SMELLED OIL COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE. EVEN AFTER NOT DRINK THE CAR FOR ABOUT ONE WEEK THE SMELL WAS STILL THERE. I AM CONCERN THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE ENGINE. EVEN ON A COOL 60 DEGREE DAY THE ENGINE IS TOO HOT TO TOUCH. I FEEL THAT THE COOLANT IN NOT GOING TO THE ENGINE SINCE AFTER PUTTING A FULL AMOUNT OF COOLANT THE COOLANT IS DEPLETE AFTER ONE HOUR.
NHTSA ODI #11242836
115,000 miles · Apr 15, 2019
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 535I. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE MISFIRED AND IDLED ROUGHLY. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. BLAGOI'S INTERNATIONAL CAR SERVICE (1880 RIVERSIDE DR, COLUMBUS, OH 43221, (614) 486-2449) DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 535I. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE MISFIRED AND IDLED ROUGHLY. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. BLAGOI'S INTERNATIONAL CAR SERVICE (1880 RIVERSIDE DR, COLUMBUS, OH 43221, (614) 486-2449) DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
NHTSA ODI #11196472
153,000 miles · Mar 26, 2018
EngineFireInjury
THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN RECALL FOR THE E60 BMW 535I NEEDS TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY! THE CAR WILL BLOW UP. BMW NEEDS THIS PROBLEM EXPLICITLY TAKEN OFF THE STREET. YOU DONT EXPECT THE ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE TO EXPLODE. IN ACCORDANCE TO A TOTAL LOSS CLAIM MY INSURANCE USAA CLAIM NUMBER 013162236000000007001…
Read full complaint
THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN RECALL FOR THE E60 BMW 535I NEEDS TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY! THE CAR WILL BLOW UP. BMW NEEDS THIS PROBLEM EXPLICITLY TAKEN OFF THE STREET. YOU DONT EXPECT THE ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE TO EXPLODE. IN ACCORDANCE TO A TOTAL LOSS CLAIM MY INSURANCE USAA CLAIM NUMBER 013162236000000007001 . THE ENGINE CAUGHT COMPLETE FIRE AND ENGULFED THE CAR. I WAS INSIDE THE BAVARIAN MOTOR WORKS VEHICLE. I COULD HAVE DIED. MAGNESIUM IN THE CAR MEANS IT IS THEN SUBJECT TO COMBUSTION AND ALSO TO CATCH FIRE AGAIN WHICH IT DID. IN THE MORNING THE CAR WAS A FULL BLAZE AFTER THE FIRE DEPARTMENT LEFT THE PREVIOUS NIGHT. BMW NEEDS TO COMPENSATE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE LOST THEIR NICE CAR, LOST LOTS OF DAYS AT WORK , AND NEARLY LOST THEIR LIFE, BECAUSE OF THAT RECALL COULD HAVE THE CAR BLOW UP AT ANY TIME. MARCH 2 2018 (2009 535 BMW )
NHTSA ODI #11081318
118,900 miles · Feb 22, 2018
EnginePower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 535I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN AND THE "ENGINE POWER MALFUNCTION" INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN BMW DEALER IN COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFA…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 535I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN AND THE "ENGINE POWER MALFUNCTION" INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN BMW DEALER IN COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 118,900. *TT *TR
NHTSA ODI #11074361
98,000 miles · Aug 29, 2017
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
FUEL PUMP CUT OUT UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING AT POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 60 MPH. ALMOST RUN OVER BY TRACTOR TRAILER WHILE PULLING CAR TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. CAR WAS LATER RE-STARTED.
NHTSA ODI #11020347
96,000 miles · Aug 28, 2017
Engine
AS MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME, IN AN ONLY ANKLE DEEP PUDDLE INSIDE OF OUR SUBDIVISION, WATER WAS ABLE TO GET INTO THE AIR INTAKE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HYDROLOCK AND EVENTUALLY DESTROY THE ENGINE. I BELIEVE SUCH A SMALL AMOUNT OF WATER SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DISABLE A CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF A RAINSTORM. I OBSERVED NUMEROUS OTHER VE…
Read full complaint
AS MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME, IN AN ONLY ANKLE DEEP PUDDLE INSIDE OF OUR SUBDIVISION, WATER WAS ABLE TO GET INTO THE AIR INTAKE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HYDROLOCK AND EVENTUALLY DESTROY THE ENGINE. I BELIEVE SUCH A SMALL AMOUNT OF WATER SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DISABLE A CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF A RAINSTORM. I OBSERVED NUMEROUS OTHER VEHICLES TRAVELING THRU JUST FINE INCLUDING A LATE MODEL INFINITI Q50.
NHTSA ODI #11020146