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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

Engine complaints

37 reports
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5,600 miles · Jun 30, 2020
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE SENT AN OVERHEATING MESSAGE AND INSTANTLY THE POWER TO THE MOTOR WAS CUT OFF CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO RAPIDLY SLOW DOWN WITH NO BRAKE SIGNAL SO THE REAR CAR ALMOST REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE SIGNAL CUTTING POWER TO THE ENGINE DURING THE OVERHEAT MESSAGE, ONCE I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER …

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE SENT AN OVERHEATING MESSAGE AND INSTANTLY THE POWER TO THE MOTOR WAS CUT OFF CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO RAPIDLY SLOW DOWN WITH NO BRAKE SIGNAL SO THE REAR CAR ALMOST REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE SIGNAL CUTTING POWER TO THE ENGINE DURING THE OVERHEAT MESSAGE, ONCE I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND STOP IT WAS FINE? I CHECKED THE COOLANT AFTER I GOT HOME AND IT WAS AT THE LEVEL REQUIRED, AFTER I WAS ABLE TO THE READ THE CODES IT SHOWED WATERPUMP ? I RECENTLY SAW RECALLS FOR 2011 BMW 5 SERIES ON WATER PUMP ISSUES, I WOULD LIKE TO AD THIS PROBLEM AND OR SAFEY ISSUE TO BE NOTICED, IF ALL THOSE VEHICLES ARE BEING REPORTED TO HAVE WATERPUMP ISSUES ,L BELIEVE MY CAR SHOULD BE ON THAT LIST OF RECALLS AS WELL , THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME WATER PUMP ,SO THAT WOULD EFFECT ALL MODELS 6 CLYINDER ,8 CYLINDER ETC,, TTHE AFTER A MONTH OF NO CODES NO ISSUES, I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY TO GET SOMETHING FROM THE HOUSE, I LEFT THE CAR RUNNING, WHEN I CAM OUT IT HAD SENT AN OVER HEAT SIGNAL AGAIN, WHEN THE CAR WASNT OVERHEATING? IT WAS JUST WEIRD, IT MIGHT BE WISE TO INCLUDE ALL VEHICLES WITH THE 2010-2011 STYLE WATER PUMP TO BE REPLACED AND LOOK INTO THE POWER CUT OFF DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE PUMPS/AND OR THEIR ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS WHICH ARE BEING RECALLED , PLEASE LET KNOW IF MY CAR CAN BE ADDED TO THE RECALL SO IT COULD BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT HAS THE SAME ISSUES AS THE OTHER MODELS THAT RECALLED, HAVENT DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY SINCE, SCARED I MIGHT GET REAR ENDED, IF THE POWER CUTS OFF TO SLOW THE VEHICLE BRAKE LIGHTS SHOULD GO ON OR SOME INDICATOR TO LET VEHICLES FOLLOWING BEHIND KNOW THE VEHICLE IS SLOWING DOWN, LIVE AND LEARN I GEUSS,

NHTSA ODI #11331741

110,000 miles · Dec 29, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION IS ON MAY BE DUE TO A BAD FUEL PUMP OR ENGINE COILS

NHTSA ODI #11291852

132,000 miles · Dec 23, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion System

CARE WAS IN MOTION ON LOCAL STREET CARE STARTED STALLING, DECREASE IN FUEL, SMOKE OUT OF TAIL PIPE, COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE, UNABLE TO START ON ENGINE. THERE ARE MULTIPLE FORUMS ON THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE WITH ISSUES DUE TO FUEL INJECTOR. SINCE I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL BUYER ON VEHICLE I WAS NOT AWARE AND WAS NEVER NOTIFIED BY THE …

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CARE WAS IN MOTION ON LOCAL STREET CARE STARTED STALLING, DECREASE IN FUEL, SMOKE OUT OF TAIL PIPE, COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE, UNABLE TO START ON ENGINE. THERE ARE MULTIPLE FORUMS ON THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE WITH ISSUES DUE TO FUEL INJECTOR. SINCE I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL BUYER ON VEHICLE I WAS NOT AWARE AND WAS NEVER NOTIFIED BY THE NEW DEALER THAT THERE WOULD BE AN ISSUE. VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT AT 126K MILES IN SEPT 2019.

NHTSA ODI #11290834

96,000 miles · Dec 5, 2019
Engine

2011 535XI WITH 95,000 MILES WAS SERVICED AND PASSED ALL INSPECTIONS, LESS THAN 700 MILES LATER ENGINE STARTS MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND WHILE DRIVING. IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AND TOWED TO DEALER WHERE THEY FOUND METALLIC SHAVINGS IN OIL FILTER. SAID ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $36,591 BUT OFFERED NO CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE…

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2011 535XI WITH 95,000 MILES WAS SERVICED AND PASSED ALL INSPECTIONS, LESS THAN 700 MILES LATER ENGINE STARTS MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND WHILE DRIVING. IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AND TOWED TO DEALER WHERE THEY FOUND METALLIC SHAVINGS IN OIL FILTER. SAID ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $36,591 BUT OFFERED NO CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #11287021

143 miles · Oct 24, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

MY VEHICLE CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING DRIVE TRAIN/ DRIVE SHAFT MESSAGE CAME ON WHICH MADE MY ENGINE LIGHT COME ON SHUDDERING WITH HEAVY SHAKING MAKING WEIRD NOISES WHICH ARE THE SYSTEMS OF A DEFECTED DRIVE SHAFT SAME SYMPTOMS THAT APPLY TO RECALL 17V067000 VERY SCARY MY VEHICLE WAS JUST AT BMW DEALERSHIP FOR A RECALL DUE TO AN AGGRE…

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MY VEHICLE CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING DRIVE TRAIN/ DRIVE SHAFT MESSAGE CAME ON WHICH MADE MY ENGINE LIGHT COME ON SHUDDERING WITH HEAVY SHAKING MAKING WEIRD NOISES WHICH ARE THE SYSTEMS OF A DEFECTED DRIVE SHAFT SAME SYMPTOMS THAT APPLY TO RECALL 17V067000 VERY SCARY MY VEHICLE WAS JUST AT BMW DEALERSHIP FOR A RECALL DUE TO AN AGGRESSIVE FUEL LEAK...,I ASKED ABOUT THE RECALL FOR THE DRIVE TRAIN I WAS ADVISED YES IT'S A RECALL BUT NOT FOR MY VEHICLE WHICH IS A 2011 535I AT THE TOP OF THE RECALL LIST THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND THE 2ND TIME THIS CAR HAVE PUT MY LIFE IN DANGER HOW CAN YOU HAVE A RECALL ON THE 2011 535I AND THEN SAY NOT MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE BMW IS THE WORST I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER BMW I CANNOT BELIEVE IT THESE PARTS CANNOT BE FROM WEAR AND TEAR THIS STARTS FROM PRODUCTION OF VEHICLE

NHTSA ODI #11270873

99,000 miles · Oct 23, 2019
Engine

THE VEHICLE (2011 BMW 535I GT) INDICATED THAT IT WAS OVERHEATED AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 25 MINUTES IN THE CITY AND HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SLOWED DOWN AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. FAN WAS CONTINUALLY RUNNING AFTER VEHICLE WAS STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED BACK ON HOURS LATER. TO…

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THE VEHICLE (2011 BMW 535I GT) INDICATED THAT IT WAS OVERHEATED AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 25 MINUTES IN THE CITY AND HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SLOWED DOWN AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. FAN WAS CONTINUALLY RUNNING AFTER VEHICLE WAS STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED BACK ON HOURS LATER. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO SAID IT WAS THE AUXILIARY WATER PUMP THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. BMW HAS A RECALL BUT THE 535I GT IS NOT IN THE RECALL, THE 550I GT IS. THE RECALL SHOULD BE LOOKED AT FOR EXPANSION.

NHTSA ODI #11270414

125,063 miles · Oct 2, 2019
Engine

CAD WAS RUNNING FINE. PARKED GOT OUT NEXT MORNING NO START. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED TIME BELT GONE. BOUGHT CAR FROM BMW MAINLINE IN MARCH 2014 CERTIFIED USED. VARIOUS ISSUES WITH CAR. JUST READ THAT THE 5 SERIES HAD TIMING CHAIN ISSUES. MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY WITH 125,063 MILES. ALWAYS MAINTAINED AND OIL CHANGES AND SERVICE…

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CAD WAS RUNNING FINE. PARKED GOT OUT NEXT MORNING NO START. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED TIME BELT GONE. BOUGHT CAR FROM BMW MAINLINE IN MARCH 2014 CERTIFIED USED. VARIOUS ISSUES WITH CAR. JUST READ THAT THE 5 SERIES HAD TIMING CHAIN ISSUES. MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY WITH 125,063 MILES. ALWAYS MAINTAINED AND OIL CHANGES AND SERVICE. NOW THIS. AM I LEGIBLE TO HAVE MY TIMING CHAIN AND ANY DANGE IT CAUSED TO BE REPAIRED. WHY DOESN'T BMW STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS OR RECALL THEIR PROBLEM CARS. WITH THE MONEY PAID FOR THIS CAR I SHOULD BE COMPENSATED FOR THEIR MISTAKES. BULLETIN TSB NO. 111614. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS THAT BMW WILL NOT RECALL BUT ACT AS THOUGH THEY ARE DOING THEIR CUSTOMERS A FAVOR BY REPAIRING OR MAYBE REPAIRING THEIR OWN MISTAKES. THANK GOD IS GOT MYSELF AND INFANT SON HOME BEFORE THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE.

NHTSA ODI #11265530

125,000 miles · Oct 1, 2019
Engine

CAR WAS DRIVING FINE. NO NOISE NO BACK FIRE NO RATTLING. GOT HOME PARKED CAR NEXT DAY GOT IN CAR AND WOULD NOT START. TOOK TO BMW SPECIALIST. SAYS THE CAR HAS NO COMPRESSION. HOW DOES AN ENGINE GO JUST LIKE THAT. JUST HAD OIL CHANGE ONE MONTH AGO NO PROBLEMS NOW THIS OUT OF THE BLUE.

NHTSA ODI #11265513

Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 2019
Engine

I GOT A 2011 BMW 535I XDRIVE WITH ONLY 70000 MILES ON IT, IT GAVE ME AN ERROR SAYING DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO RUN DIAGNOSE ON IT, THEY TOLD ME ITS IGNITION COIL WHICH THEY REPLACE ONLY FOR ME TO DRIVE IT FOR TWO DAYS THEN THE ENGINE START MAKING EVEN LOUDER NOISE AND WHEN I TOOK IT BACK, THEY SAID T…

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I GOT A 2011 BMW 535I XDRIVE WITH ONLY 70000 MILES ON IT, IT GAVE ME AN ERROR SAYING DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO RUN DIAGNOSE ON IT, THEY TOLD ME ITS IGNITION COIL WHICH THEY REPLACE ONLY FOR ME TO DRIVE IT FOR TWO DAYS THEN THE ENGINE START MAKING EVEN LOUDER NOISE AND WHEN I TOOK IT BACK, THEY SAID THE ENGINE IS BAD AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THEY FOUND METAL PARTS IN THE OIL FILTER. HOW DID THEY NOT KNOW ABOUT IT THE FIRST TIME? WAS THERE A RECALL THEY DIDN'T DO!

NHTSA ODI #11256188

76,000 miles · Jul 1, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

FUEL PUMP(FUEL SYSTEM) RECALL WAS ALLOWED TO FAIL AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS BY ME USING MY GAS TO APPEAR AT BMW TRYING TO DESCRIBE STALLING, GAS SMELL, ENGINE GAS FLOW ISSUES WITH MY CAR BEFORE MAY 2016. (3) YEARS IN AND OUT OF HENDRIX BMW SERVICE DEPARTMENT. LONG RENTAL RETURNS AND REPAIR ON ENGINE LEAKS, GASKET LEAKS , PAN OIL LEAKS…

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FUEL PUMP(FUEL SYSTEM) RECALL WAS ALLOWED TO FAIL AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS BY ME USING MY GAS TO APPEAR AT BMW TRYING TO DESCRIBE STALLING, GAS SMELL, ENGINE GAS FLOW ISSUES WITH MY CAR BEFORE MAY 2016. (3) YEARS IN AND OUT OF HENDRIX BMW SERVICE DEPARTMENT. LONG RENTAL RETURNS AND REPAIR ON ENGINE LEAKS, GASKET LEAKS , PAN OIL LEAKS AND NOW 6/2/2019 CAR IS STILL SMOKING , STALLING, OIL SMELLING I'M AT HOME AGAIN. BMW DEALER SERVICE IS REFUSING TO PAY FOR A PLASTIC CAP BILLED TO ME RELATED TO RECALL FUEL PUMP LEAK THEY DENIED AND WERE FORCED TO FIND BY ME. SEE ATTACHMENT. BMW WANT EXCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE (3) YEAR DELAYED REPAIR OF FUEL PUMP.. ISSUES CAUSING PRESENT RELATED ISSUES TODAY 6/2/2019 WERE IN THE PAST THEY USED MY WARRANTY COVERAGE TO REPAIR DAMAGES THEY CREATED BEFORE FINAL CAR FAILURE AND MY STRANDED FROM 5PM / 11:30 MIDNIGHT AT 70 YEARS OLD ON A DARK HIGH WAY.. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY HAS PAID FOR ALL ENGINE ISSUES,1414,00 ..NOW THEY WANT TO MAKE A DEAL 700.00 TO REPAIR PLASTIC CAP COVER , THE SAME PROBLEM BEFORE FUEL PUMP RECALL. I WAS WITHOUT (MY ) CAR FOR (13) DAY CALLING, GOING BACK TO SERVICE MANAGER FIRING ADMISSION OF RECALL. MY STRESSING, PERSISTENT STOCKING TO REPLACE FUEL PUMP HURT MY HEALTH. BEGINNING WITH CORPORATE BMW IN 2016/ DELAY, 2017/ ENGINE ISSUES AND YEARS / MONTHS OF RENTALS... REPLACING PAN, SOME GASKET LEAKS WITH ENGINE CLAIMING THEY REPLACED THE PUMP. PROBLEMS CONTINUED UNTIL 5/3/2019 AND I'M STRANDED, LIVING WITH A MUSCULAR DISEASE IN THE HEAT AT 82 DEGREES ON HIGH WAY AND (2) POLICE OFFICERS STOPPING, FAILED TOWING COMPANY TOWED CAR TO MY HOME, EMBARRASSING ... 5/4/2019 SAT MORNING TOWING FROM MY HOME USING MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WHO LOST MY KEYS AT 400.00, LOST HOOK TO TOW CAR AND THE HOOK COVER NOTICED AFTER (13) DAY PUMP REPAIR PICK UP OF CAR.. 300.00 ..I'M STUCK AT HOME WITH THE SAME UNRESOLVED PART OF THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11228786

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.