Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
70–25K
325–50K
1950–75K
1575–100K
19100–150K
2150K+
65 reports with mileage · 47 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
5 crash reports6 fire reports5 injury reports
What owners actually said
112 reports
85,000 miles · Aug 12, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ISSUED FOR THE FUEL PUMP. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES RELATED TO THE FUEL PUMP; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT IF THE FAILURE OCCURRED IT COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ISSUED FOR THE FUEL PUMP. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES RELATED TO THE FUEL PUMP; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT IF THE FAILURE OCCURRED IT COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP UNTIL A FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
NHTSA ODI #10748081
59,000 miles · Sep 25, 2014
Engine
AGAIN, I RECEIVED A RECALL IN THE MAIL REGARDING RECALL 14V-176: VANOS ASSEMBLY BOLTS SINCE JUNE 2014 AND TODAY IS SEPT 25TH, I STILL HAVEN'T GOTTEN AN ANSWER AS TO IF THEY HAVE PARTS TO REPLACED THIS RECALL. I CALLED THE EL CAJON BMW DEALERSHIP IN CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO WHERE I PURCHASED MY USED BMW FROM AND THEY KEPT ON SAYING …
Read full complaint
AGAIN, I RECEIVED A RECALL IN THE MAIL REGARDING RECALL 14V-176: VANOS ASSEMBLY BOLTS SINCE JUNE 2014 AND TODAY IS SEPT 25TH, I STILL HAVEN'T GOTTEN AN ANSWER AS TO IF THEY HAVE PARTS TO REPLACED THIS RECALL. I CALLED THE EL CAJON BMW DEALERSHIP IN CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO WHERE I PURCHASED MY USED BMW FROM AND THEY KEPT ON SAYING THEY DON'T HAVE PARTS FOR MY CAR YET BMW HASN'T SUPPLIED THEM WITH THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL. IM CONCERN FOR MY SAFETY AND MY FAMILY'S SAFETY AND WANT TO FILE A COMPLAINT FOR MY VEHICLE. PLEASE INFORM ME OF WHAT TO DO? AND IF U CAN CONTACT BMW.... ITS BEEN 4 MONTHS OF MY RECALL LETTER AND I'M TIRED OF CALLING THEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10638861
Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2014
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V176000 (ENGINE); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE AS TO WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V176000 (ENGINE); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE A SPECIFIC DATE AS TO WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #10632100
24,431 miles · Aug 26, 2014
EngineStructure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A RATTLING NOISE. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME BOLT WAS LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A RATTLING NOISE. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME BOLT WAS LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V176000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING).HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,431.
NHTSA ODI #10628509
11,000 miles · Aug 15, 2014
TiresWheels
6 TIRES IN LESS THAN A 3 YEAR PERIOD HAVE FAILED. SOME HAVE BUBBLED. TWO HAVE GONE FLAT. ONE FAILED ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65MPH. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PARTICULAR PROBLEM WITH THE GOODYEAR RUNFLAT TIRES ON THE 19 INCH RIMS ON THIS VEHICLE. SMALL POTHOLES ARE UNAVOIDABLE ON MASSACHUSETTS ROADWAYS. SOME OF THE INCIDENTS OCCURRED DAYS AFTE…
Read full complaint
6 TIRES IN LESS THAN A 3 YEAR PERIOD HAVE FAILED. SOME HAVE BUBBLED. TWO HAVE GONE FLAT. ONE FAILED ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65MPH. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PARTICULAR PROBLEM WITH THE GOODYEAR RUNFLAT TIRES ON THE 19 INCH RIMS ON THIS VEHICLE. SMALL POTHOLES ARE UNAVOIDABLE ON MASSACHUSETTS ROADWAYS. SOME OF THE INCIDENTS OCCURRED DAYS AFTER. OTHERS WERE UNASSOCIATED WITH SUCH AN INCIDENT. BOTH BMW AND GOODYEAR REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10622515
Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2014
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V176000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE IS…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V176000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #10622470
Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2014
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V176000 (ENGINE, ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. TH…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V176000 (ENGINE, ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #10618267
69,000 miles · Jul 18, 2014
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH AND MY CAR JUST DIED ON THE STREET AND CHASSIS STABILIZATION LIGHT CAME ON.. HAD TO RESTART CAR 7-8 TIMES TO BE ABLE TO MOVE INSIDE PARKING LOT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10614653
Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2014
Engine
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM BMW IN JUNE 2014 RE A POTENTIAL BOLT FAILURE. THE LETTER STATED I WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE IN AND WHEN REPAIRS CAN BE DONE. WHEN I CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP (ELMHURST BMW AND BMW NORTH AMERICA) ON JULY 10, THEY SAID THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE IN. IT OCCURS TO …
Read full complaint
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM BMW IN JUNE 2014 RE A POTENTIAL BOLT FAILURE. THE LETTER STATED I WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE IN AND WHEN REPAIRS CAN BE DONE. WHEN I CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP (ELMHURST BMW AND BMW NORTH AMERICA) ON JULY 10, THEY SAID THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE IN. IT OCCURS TO ME THAT BMW MAY BE ATTEMPTING TO LIMIT THEIR POTENTIAL LIABILITY VIA THE LETTER AND THE SYMPTOMS LISTED (POOR GAS MILEAGE, ETC.). AS A SINGLE FEMALE WITH THIS CAR AS MY ONLY METHOD OF TRANSPORTATION, IT IS RATHER DISCONCERTING AND EVERY THING THIS CAR DOES RIGHT NOW MAKES ME NERVOUS. BMW NORTH AMERICA SUGGESTED I CONTACT YOU WITH MY COMPLAINT RE THE RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10610026
Mileage unknown · Apr 9, 2013
TiresWheels
THE GOODYEAR RUN FLAT TIRES ON THE VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY DEVELOP BUBBLES ON THE SIDEWALL. I HAVE HAD THE TIRES REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES AND BMW REPLACED BECAUSE I HAD A TIRE/WHEEL PACKAGE. NOW THAT THE TIRE/WHEEL PACKAGE HAS EXPIRED I HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO GOODYEAR REGARDING THIS MATTER. I DO FEEL THAT THIS IS A GOODYEAR ISSUE BUT …
Read full complaint
THE GOODYEAR RUN FLAT TIRES ON THE VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY DEVELOP BUBBLES ON THE SIDEWALL. I HAVE HAD THE TIRES REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES AND BMW REPLACED BECAUSE I HAD A TIRE/WHEEL PACKAGE. NOW THAT THE TIRE/WHEEL PACKAGE HAS EXPIRED I HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO GOODYEAR REGARDING THIS MATTER. I DO FEEL THAT THIS IS A GOODYEAR ISSUE BUT ALSO A BMW ISSUE BECAUSE THEY ARE INSTALLING A DEFECTED PRODUCT ON THEIR VEHICLES. FROM MY RECENT RESEARCH I SEE THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND THE PROBLEM HAS YET TO BE RECTIFIED. THESE TIRES ARE UNSAFE AND ARE A HAZARDS. WILL IT TAKE SOMEONE BEING KILLED BEFORE SOMETHING IS REQUIRED OF BOTH BMW AND GOODYEAR TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM AT THEIR EXPENSE AND NOT THE CONSUMERS???? *TR
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 1 Series M Coupe and 135i Convertible vehicles, 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i, 335i, 335d, 335i Coupe, 335is Coupe, 335i Convertible, 335is Convertible, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535i Gran Turismo and 550i xDrive Gran Turismo vehicles and 2012 740i and 740Li vehicles. The rear driveshaft constant velocity (CV) joint on the affected vehicles may fatigue and break.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the CV joint breaks, the vehicle may have a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear driveshaft CV joint and, based on its production date, will replace it, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2011 BMW 528i, 528xi, 535i, 535xi, 550i and 550xi vehicles manufactured March 1, 2010, through August 31, 2011. The affected vehicles may have received a replacement Sensor Cluster Unit (SCU) during a service visit. These SCUs have an acceleration sensor that may have been incorrectly programmed and, as a result, the SCU may not accurately determine if activation and deployment of the air bags, safety belt pre-tensioners and head restraints is necessary in the event of a crash.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Depending on the severity of the crash, inadequate activation of the driver and/or passenger air bags, safety belt pre-tensioners and active head restraints may increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the SCU, free of charge. The recall began on December 16, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 BMW X5 3.0si, X5 4.8i, X5 M, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i and X5 xDrive50i, 2008-2011 X6 x Drive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 535i xDrive Gran Turismo, 535i Gran Turismo, 550i xDrive Gran Turismo and 550i Gran Turismo, 2011-2012 528i, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i and 550i xDrive and 2012 535i ActiveHybrid, 640i Convertible, 650i Convertible, 650i xDrive Convertible, 650i Coupe and 650i Coupe xDrive vehicles. The affected vehicles have in-tank fuel pumps that may have insufficiently crimped wire contacts.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The loose wires may cause the connector to melt, resulting in a fuel leak. Additionally, the fuel pump may stop working, possibly causing an engine stall and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i Convertible, 528i Sedan, 535i Sedan, 535i xDrive Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, and X3 xDrive 35i, 2010 X3 xDrive 30i, and X5 xDrive 30i, 2012 640i Coupe, and 640i Convertible and 2010-2012 535i Gran Turismo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. The recall began on September 24, 2014. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2011 BMW 535I Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year