IllustrationSEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WHERE LIGHT KEEPS COMING IN...NOT SURE IF AIRBAG OR SEAT BELT RESTRAINTS WILL HELP IN AN ACCIDENT
2009 BMW 535I
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.
About this comparison →71Owner complaints
Model-year median: 5
1Recall campaignsView recall details →
0InvestigationsView investigation details →
Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Inspection summary
2009 BMW 535I
NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 71 owner complaints · 1 recall campaigns · 0 investigations.
Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.
Top reported categories (up to 5)
- Fuel/propulsion System: 24 reports
- Engine: 21 reports
- Fuel System, Gasoline: 17 reports
- Engine And Engine Cooling: 7 reports
- Power Train: 6 reports
Full reported-category list and vehicle report
Recall links
Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.
How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all 535I years →Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure 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
160–25K
425–50K
1050–75K
1175–100K
18100–150K
2150K+
61 reports with mileage · 10 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 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. 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.
2 crash reports2 fire reports1 injury reports
Seat Belts complaints
2 reportsI GOT A PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION: FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER RESTRAINT PROBLEM. THIS RESULTED IN A RED AIRBAG LIGHT AND RED PASSENGER BELT TO COME ON THE DASH AND IDRIVE. THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM AND BELT TENSIONER IS SAID TO BE BAD . THI…
Read full complaint
I GOT A PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION: FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER RESTRAINT PROBLEM. THIS RESULTED IN A RED AIRBAG LIGHT AND RED PASSENGER BELT TO COME ON THE DASH AND IDRIVE. THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM AND BELT TENSIONER IS SAID TO BE BAD . THIS TIME WITH A RED AIRBAG LIGHT ON ALL THE TIME, AND THE SEAT BELT UNBUCKLED LIGHT ON AS WELL. *TR
Recall campaigns
113V407000 · Exterior Lighting:tail Lights
Sep 11, 2013
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 528i, 535i, 550i, and M5 passenger cars manufactured from March 1, 2007, through December 31, 2009. Over time, increased resistance at the taillight electrical contact points may cause damage to the ground terminal and housing of the connector resulting in an intermittent or permanent loss of functionality of one or more rear lamp functions (tail, brake, turn-signal, reverse).
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear lamp bulb carriers free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
Defect investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.