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2012 BMW 535I

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

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There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

40 reports with mileage · 14 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.

  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports2 fire reports0 injury reports

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

12 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 28, 2025
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

BMW N63 Engine Powertrain Issues 2012 535i The N63 engine, utilized in various BMW models including the 2012 535i, has been subject to multiple customer complaints regarding premature timing chain wear and other powertrain-related issues. This led BMW to introduce a "Customer Care Package," detailed in Technical Service Bulletin…

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BMW N63 Engine Powertrain Issues 2012 535i The N63 engine, utilized in various BMW models including the 2012 535i, has been subject to multiple customer complaints regarding premature timing chain wear and other powertrain-related issues. This led BMW to introduce a "Customer Care Package," detailed in Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) B110614, to address the concerns reported by multiple owners and noted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) under ID Number 11016414. A primary cause of the issue is accelerated timing chain wear. The N63 engine's design features timing chains that are prone to stretching prematurely. This stretching can disrupt the precise timing of the engine's valves, leading to a cascade of problems. As a consequence, owners have reported a variety of symptoms, including the illumination of the "drivetrain malfunction" warning light, noticeable engine noise, excessive vibration, and potentially catastrophic engine failure. The "drivetrain malfunction" message, in particular, is a frequently cited indicator of this underlying powertrain problem. To address these widely reported issues, the N63 Customer Care Package was implemented. This service bulletin instructs authorized BMW technicians to perform a series of diagnostic tests. The main objective is to detect if the timing chains have stretched beyond acceptable tolerances. If excessive wear is confirmed, the TSB provides a detailed procedure for the necessary repairs. This often involves replacing the timing chains and related components to restore proper engine function. Beyond the core timing chain replacement, the Customer Care Package also includes several proactive and preventative measures. Technicians are instructed to check and potentially replace other components, such as fuel injectors and boost solenoids, which may have been impacted or contributed to the engine's performance issues. Furthermore, the service includes reprogramming the vehicle's software

NHTSA ODI #11696232

Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2021
EngineExterior LightingFuel/propulsion System

While driving car stalled, dropped speed and engine warning light came on. Fuel pump was needed. Had to have car towed obtained a rental for 11 days. Fuel pump out of stock. Immediately after fuel pump was replaced less than two weeks the thermostat had to be replaced. Another tow and another rental. I need to be compensated…

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While driving car stalled, dropped speed and engine warning light came on. Fuel pump was needed. Had to have car towed obtained a rental for 11 days. Fuel pump out of stock. Immediately after fuel pump was replaced less than two weeks the thermostat had to be replaced. Another tow and another rental. I need to be compensated for stress aggravation and loss of use. Repairs and car rental and tow cost over $3500

NHTSA ODI #11432548

71,000 miles · Oct 28, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

ON OCTOBER 10TH, 2020 AT APPROXIMATELY 830AM, I WAS DRIVING WESTBOUND ON THE 118 FWY, MY 2012 BMW 535I SUDDENLY LOST POWER. I TRIED TO GIVE IT MORE GAS BUT IT WOULD NOT GO FASTER. IT IMMEDIATELY GAVE ME AN ERROR POINTING TO THE FUEL SYSTEM. I WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE FREEWAY SAFELY. AFTER BEING INSPECTED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, IT …

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ON OCTOBER 10TH, 2020 AT APPROXIMATELY 830AM, I WAS DRIVING WESTBOUND ON THE 118 FWY, MY 2012 BMW 535I SUDDENLY LOST POWER. I TRIED TO GIVE IT MORE GAS BUT IT WOULD NOT GO FASTER. IT IMMEDIATELY GAVE ME AN ERROR POINTING TO THE FUEL SYSTEM. I WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE FREEWAY SAFELY. AFTER BEING INSPECTED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT BOTH OF MY FUEL PUMPS NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A RECALL FOR FUEL PUMPS FOR THE 2012 BMW 535I BUT MY SPECIFIC VIN NUMBER DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL. IT'S OBVIOUS I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AS OTHER 2012 BMW 535I.

NHTSA ODI #11366920

105,000 miles · May 2, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

CAR STALLED SUDDENLY WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET. UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE FOR 15 - 20 MINUTES WHILE BLOCKING THE ROADWAY. TRANSMISSION LOCKED IN PARK MODE AND OVERRIDE TO NEUTRAL GEAR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. INABILITY TO MANUALLY PUT GEAR INTO NEUTRAL POSES ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI #11323074

Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

WHILE WAITING BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN MY VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. HOWEVER, WHENEVER I OPENED THE DOOR IT WOULD START AND STOP WHEN THE DOOR WAS CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SLOANE BMW OF DEVON, PA. SLOANE SAID THE PROBLEM WAS THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL PUMP MODULE WHICH THEY REPLACED FOR WHI…

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WHILE WAITING BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN MY VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. HOWEVER, WHENEVER I OPENED THE DOOR IT WOULD START AND STOP WHEN THE DOOR WAS CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SLOANE BMW OF DEVON, PA. SLOANE SAID THE PROBLEM WAS THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL PUMP MODULE WHICH THEY REPLACED FOR WHICH I WAS CHARGED $1585.62. HOWEVER, THIS WAS NOT THE END. ON 3/28/19 WHILE PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING AND DECELERATING. OTHER DRIVERS BEHIND ME COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND MADE SOME DANGEROUS MOVES. FORTUNATELY A DRIVER IN THE RIGHT LANE ALLOWED ME TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO SLOANE BMW AS HE FUEL PUMP THAT THEY HAD REPLACED WAS UNDER WARRANTY. SLOANE DECIDED THAT "THE ENGINE ECCENTRIC SHAFT ADJUSTMENT MOTOR IS INTERNALLY FAULTY AND CHARGED ME $169.99. TECH REPORTED "ALL PERFORMED NORMALLY" DESPITE NOT FINDING A PROBLEM WITH THE ECCENTRIC SHAFT SLOANE RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF $6109.71. LATER WHEN COPIES OF THE TEST WERE REQUESTED SLOANE SAID THEY DIDN`T HAVE THEM. AS A RESULT I AM STILL DRIVING A VEHICLE THAT PRESENTS A DANGER TO MY LIFE IN ORDER TO GT TO WORK. I HAVE CONTACTED MR. CLAUS EBERHART VP AFTER SALES AND MR. IAN ROBERTSON, BOARD MEMBER AT BMW NORTH AMERICA BUT NEITHER RESPONDED. THE ONLY GUIDANCE THAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WAS IN AN ARTICLE I FOUND ONLINE THAT RECOMMENDED CAUTION WHEN ACCELERATING. IN ADDITION I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL 16V746000 FOR FUEL PUMP AND MODULE FOR WHICH I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. REGARDING SLOANE BMW OF DEVON, PA. I HAVE FOUND THAT THEY HAVE COMMITTED CONSUMER FRAUD, "I HAD A PROBLEM OPENING THE TRUNK, SLOANE SAID IT WAS DUE TO THE LATCH- WANTED $677 REPAIR. ON LINE FOUND THAT TRUNK COULD BE OPENED BY SWITCH IN THE STORAGE BOX. LATCH WORKS TRUNK OPENS

NHTSA ODI #11222495

65,000 miles · May 2, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

THE RECALL NUMBER 16V746000 ON 2012 BMW FUEL PUMP IS INSUFFICIENTLY EXECUTED BY THE MANUFACTURER AS IT DID NOT INCLUDE MY CAR (VIN #[XXX]). I HAVE ENCOUNTERED A SAFETY HAZARD DURING DRIVING AND THE CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF BUSY EXPRESSWAY. CANNOT RESTART AND CAR TOWED WITH HELP FROM POLICE. AFTER DEALER DIAGNOSE PROBLEM WI…

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THE RECALL NUMBER 16V746000 ON 2012 BMW FUEL PUMP IS INSUFFICIENTLY EXECUTED BY THE MANUFACTURER AS IT DID NOT INCLUDE MY CAR (VIN #[XXX]). I HAVE ENCOUNTERED A SAFETY HAZARD DURING DRIVING AND THE CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF BUSY EXPRESSWAY. CANNOT RESTART AND CAR TOWED WITH HELP FROM POLICE. AFTER DEALER DIAGNOSE PROBLEM WITH FUEL PUMP BUT REFUSE TO HONOR THE RECALL ON MY FIX EVEN IT IS OF SAME MODEL AND YEAR. APPARENTLY MANUFACTURER DID NOT INCLUDE "ALL" AFFECTED VEHICLES AFFECTED WITH THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. PLEASE OPEN ANOTHER RECALL OR EXTEND THE RECALL OF AFFECTED VEHICLES. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT TO BMW NORTH AMERICA AND HOPEFULLY YOUR AGENCY CAN FOLLOWUP ON THIS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT

NHTSA ODI #11205329

65,000 miles · Apr 30, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

VEHICLE STALL INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING ON LAWRENCE EXPRESSWAY. SOMETIME CANNOT RESTART. ENGINE CODE REVEALED FUEL PUMP ISSUE 481B01 EKPS CONTROL VOLTAGE TOO LOW. THERE IS A RECALL ON 2012 BMW 535I ON FUEL PUMP BUT DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE ACCORDING TO RECALL SINCE THE VIN DO NOT SHOW UP IN THEIR SYSTEM. (EVEN THE YEAR AND…

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VEHICLE STALL INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING ON LAWRENCE EXPRESSWAY. SOMETIME CANNOT RESTART. ENGINE CODE REVEALED FUEL PUMP ISSUE 481B01 EKPS CONTROL VOLTAGE TOO LOW. THERE IS A RECALL ON 2012 BMW 535I ON FUEL PUMP BUT DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE ACCORDING TO RECALL SINCE THE VIN DO NOT SHOW UP IN THEIR SYSTEM. (EVEN THE YEAR AND MODEL IS PART OF THE RECALL)

NHTSA ODI #11204728

110,000 miles · Mar 8, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 535I. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE FUEL MALFUNCTION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND HAD IT TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED WITH THE INDEPEND…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 535I. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE FUEL MALFUNCTION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND HAD IT TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED WITH THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #11185052

46,500 miles · Mar 4, 2019
Fuel/propulsion SystemService Brakes

I CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON ABOUT SOMETHING WITH A FUEL LEAK AND BMW SAYS IT'S SOMETHING TO DO WITH ADMISSIONS! I WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF PLEASE. THIS IS A REAL ISSUE. THE OTHER ISSUE IS THE ELECTRIC CALIPERS GET STUCK AND CAUSE A BIG BANG WHEN U PULL OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT WHEN YOU FIRST LEAVE. DON'T HAPPEN A…

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I CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON ABOUT SOMETHING WITH A FUEL LEAK AND BMW SAYS IT'S SOMETHING TO DO WITH ADMISSIONS! I WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF PLEASE. THIS IS A REAL ISSUE. THE OTHER ISSUE IS THE ELECTRIC CALIPERS GET STUCK AND CAUSE A BIG BANG WHEN U PULL OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT WHEN YOU FIRST LEAVE. DON'T HAPPEN AFTER THAT. THE MECHANIC SAID THIS WAS THE PROBLEM CAUSE EVERYTHING ELSE LOOKED FINE.

NHTSA ODI #11183886

83,000 miles · Jul 9, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

CAR STALLED SUDDENLY WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET NEAR A PARKING LOT. UNABLE TO RESTART BLOCKING THE ROADWAY. TRANSMISSION LOCKED IN PARK MODE AND OVERRIDE TO NEUTRAL GEAR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. WAITED FOR TOW TRUCK WHILE CARS WERE BLOCKED OFF. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS IF HAPPENED ON A BUSY FREEWAY OR STREET. INAB…

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CAR STALLED SUDDENLY WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET NEAR A PARKING LOT. UNABLE TO RESTART BLOCKING THE ROADWAY. TRANSMISSION LOCKED IN PARK MODE AND OVERRIDE TO NEUTRAL GEAR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. WAITED FOR TOW TRUCK WHILE CARS WERE BLOCKED OFF. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS IF HAPPENED ON A BUSY FREEWAY OR STREET. INABILITY TO MANUALLY PUT GEAR INTO NEUTRAL POSES ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI #11110377

Official recalls

1

16V746000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Oct 17, 2016

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.

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

1

DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.