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2011 BMW 535I

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

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

Electrical System complaints

17 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

While driving on the highway my car turned off suddenly. car was towed to home After checking possible causes we found out that even the fuel gauge in the instruments cluster was displaying a large amount of fuel ( 1/2 tank) actually it was empty. We put two gallons of gasoline then car start up again but fuel gauge still show…

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While driving on the highway my car turned off suddenly. car was towed to home After checking possible causes we found out that even the fuel gauge in the instruments cluster was displaying a large amount of fuel ( 1/2 tank) actually it was empty. We put two gallons of gasoline then car start up again but fuel gauge still showing half of tank

NHTSA ODI #11427066

98,000 miles · Mar 9, 2021
Electrical SystemService BrakesUnknown Or OtherCrash

I HAVE A 2011 BMW 535I THAT HAS FRONT AND REAR CAMERAS AND I HAVE RECORDINGS OF THE LIVE FOOTAGE OF MY INCIDENCE. I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A RESIDENTIAL STREET IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD TO MY HOUSE. I APPROACHED THE GATE ENTRANCE FOR MY COMPLEX AND STOPPED ON THE RIGHT LANE OF THE ROAD TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ACROSS THE OPPOSING TRAFFIC LA…

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I HAVE A 2011 BMW 535I THAT HAS FRONT AND REAR CAMERAS AND I HAVE RECORDINGS OF THE LIVE FOOTAGE OF MY INCIDENCE. I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A RESIDENTIAL STREET IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD TO MY HOUSE. I APPROACHED THE GATE ENTRANCE FOR MY COMPLEX AND STOPPED ON THE RIGHT LANE OF THE ROAD TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ACROSS THE OPPOSING TRAFFIC LANE TO APPROACH THE GATE ENTRANCE. WHEN THERE WAS NO ONGOING TRAFFIC, I ACCELERATED TO CROSS THE LANE AND ONCE I HAD CROSS THE OPPOSING LANE AND ENTERED THE DRIVEWAY TO THE MY RESIDENTIAL COMPLEX'S GATE ENTRANCE, I PUSHED ON THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN TO ENTER THE KEY CODE TO OPEN THE GATE. THE CAR SLOWLY DOWN AFTER I PUSHED THE BRAKES, BUT THEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED IN A HERKY JERK MANNER FOR A 5 SECOND BURST FOR NO REASON (MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE THE ENTIRE TIME AS MY CAR INITIALLY STARTED SLOWLY DOWN AFTER I MADE MY APPROACH TOWARDS THE GATE). THE CAR RAMMED THROUGH AND BROKE THE GATE AND ACCELERATED FOR A FEW SECONDS MORE BEFORE THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE ENTIRE TIME AND KEPT DOWN ON THE BRAKE, WHICH WAS EVIDENT AS THE CAR WAS INITIALLY SLOWLY DOWN FROM AN ACCELERATION BEFORE THE SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, AS WELL AS EVENTUALLY CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AFTER THE ACCELERATION INCIDENT. MY BMW HAS BOTH FRONT AND REAR CAMERAS ON IT AND I WAS ABLE TO RECORD THE ENTIRE INCIDENT. I CAN PROVIDE THE FOOTAGE OF THE ACCIDENT. I HAVE A GREAT DRIVING RECORD AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED AN INCIDENT LIKE THIS BEFORE. MY CAR IS IN GREAT CONDITION AND HAS BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED AND SERVICED. THEREWERE NOT ANY CHECK ENGINE OR NOTIFICATION LIGHTS ON THE CAR BEFORE OR AFTER THE INCIDENT..

NHTSA ODI #11399867

63,700 miles · May 4, 2020
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

LIGHTING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD DURING 1ST WEEK OF APRIL 2020. IT AFFECTED BATTERY CONSUMPTION, TURN INDICATORS, WINDOW CONTROLS, HEADLIGHT CONTROLS, LOCK/UNLOCK CONFIRMATION... THE DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED FAULTY FOOTWELL MODULE NEEDS REPLACEMENT, COST APPROX. $1323+TAX. A WARRANTY EXTENSION DOCUMENT FOUND ON …

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LIGHTING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD DURING 1ST WEEK OF APRIL 2020. IT AFFECTED BATTERY CONSUMPTION, TURN INDICATORS, WINDOW CONTROLS, HEADLIGHT CONTROLS, LOCK/UNLOCK CONFIRMATION... THE DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED FAULTY FOOTWELL MODULE NEEDS REPLACEMENT, COST APPROX. $1323+TAX. A WARRANTY EXTENSION DOCUMENT FOUND ON THE INTERNET FOR FOOTWELL MODULE LISTS ALL MODELS EXCEPT MINE. HTTPS://BIMMERSCAN.COM/WP-CONTENT/UPLOADS/2018/09/B012016-1.PDF

NHTSA ODI #11323203

101,400 miles · Jan 10, 2017
Air BagsElectrical System

THE SRS PASSENGER MALFUNCTION LIGHT IS TURNING ON. I'VE NOTIFIED BMW AND HAVE SHOWN THEM THAT THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL ON MY CAR BUT THEY HAVE REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE MY CAR HAS BEEN AFFECTED.

NHTSA ODI #10944203

62,000 miles · Oct 10, 2016
Electrical System

WHEN TRYING TO EXIT THE CAR AND PULLING ON THE DOOR HANDLE, THE DOOR DOES NOT UNLOCK, THE LOCK STAYS IN A LOCKED POSITION EVEN AFTER MULTIPLE PULLES. THE ISSUE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS YOU ARE UNABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. I WAS ABLE TO USE THE MANUAL UNLOCK BUTTON TO OPEN THE DO…

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WHEN TRYING TO EXIT THE CAR AND PULLING ON THE DOOR HANDLE, THE DOOR DOES NOT UNLOCK, THE LOCK STAYS IN A LOCKED POSITION EVEN AFTER MULTIPLE PULLES. THE ISSUE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS YOU ARE UNABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. I WAS ABLE TO USE THE MANUAL UNLOCK BUTTON TO OPEN THE DOOR.

NHTSA ODI #10915084

36,000 miles · May 30, 2016
Electrical System

BMW HAS DISABLED THE SAFETY AND SECURITY FEATURES OF THE MODEL YEAR 2013 AND OLDER. MY VEHICLE NO LONGER HAS AN ACTIVE SOS BUTTON. AMONG OTHER FEATURES, THE COLLISION NOTIFICATION SYSTEM AND STOLEN VEHICLE RECOVERY SYSTEM ARE NO LONGER OPERATIONAL. BMW HAS CHANGED SOFTWARE FROM 2G TO 3G WHICH MAKES MY DASHBOARD HARDWARE INCOM…

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BMW HAS DISABLED THE SAFETY AND SECURITY FEATURES OF THE MODEL YEAR 2013 AND OLDER. MY VEHICLE NO LONGER HAS AN ACTIVE SOS BUTTON. AMONG OTHER FEATURES, THE COLLISION NOTIFICATION SYSTEM AND STOLEN VEHICLE RECOVERY SYSTEM ARE NO LONGER OPERATIONAL. BMW HAS CHANGED SOFTWARE FROM 2G TO 3G WHICH MAKES MY DASHBOARD HARDWARE INCOMPATIBLE AND, THEREFORE, INOPERABLE. I PAID FOR THE SAFETY AND SECURITY FEATURES WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, AND NOW THEY HAVE BEEN DISABLED. IN THE EVENT OF A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR BREAKDOWN, THE SOS BUTTON CANNOT BE USED. AS OF JANUARY 1, 2016, BMW ASSIST SAFETY PLAN IS NON-OPERATIONAL. I HAVE COMMUNICATED WITH VARIOUS DIVISIONS OF BMW, AND THIS IS THEIR REPLY: "WE DO NOT HAVE A RETROFIT OPTION IN ORDER TO UPGRADE EARLIER HARDWARE TO NEWER HARDWARE." RATHER THAN RUN OLD SOFTWARE AND NEW SOFTWARE SIMULTANEOUSLY SO THAT OUR HARDWARE IS OPERATION, BMW WAS DISABLED THE SAFETY AD SECURITY FEATURES. MY DEALER BMW OF SPRINGFIELD NJ (FORMERLY JMK) WAS UNAWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. I AS AN OWNER WAS ALSO UNAWARE THAT THE SAFETY AND SECURITY FEATURES WERE DISABLED UNTIL I TRIED TO USE THE SOS BUTTON. I HAVE ONLY 36,000 MILES ON MY CAR AND CANNOT PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. BMW MADE AN IRRESPONSIBLE DECISION TO DISABLE VERY IMPORTANT FEATURES AND NEGLECTED TO INFORM THE OWNERS.

NHTSA ODI #10871452

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

Official recalls

4

17V067000 · Power Train:driveline:constant Velocity Joint

Feb 2, 2017

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.

16V832000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Nov 17, 2016

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.

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.

14V176000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Apr 10, 2014

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.