NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
37 reportsClear category filter68,000 miles · Apr 5, 2019
Engine
I WAS DRIVING BACK TO DALLAS ,TX. ON I 20 ON MARCH 22 WHEN I HEARD A NOISE . THE SOUND BECAME LOUDER AND I CAME TO A STOP AND TO SEE IF I COULD FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON BUT IT HAD GOTTEN DARK SO I CONTINUE ON UNTIL I GOT HOME AND CHECK UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAR WAS MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND. ON MONDAY I TOOK THE CAR TO A CE…
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I WAS DRIVING BACK TO DALLAS ,TX. ON I 20 ON MARCH 22 WHEN I HEARD A NOISE . THE SOUND BECAME LOUDER AND I CAME TO A STOP AND TO SEE IF I COULD FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON BUT IT HAD GOTTEN DARK SO I CONTINUE ON UNTIL I GOT HOME AND CHECK UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAR WAS MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND. ON MONDAY I TOOK THE CAR TO A CERTIFIED BMW MECHANIC AND 3 DAYS LATER HE INFORMED ME THAT THE ENGINE WAS GOING TO HAVE TO BE REPLACED.THE CAR HAS ONLY 68 K MILES ON
NHTSA ODI #11194208
100,000 miles · Dec 28, 2018
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION -DRIVING ON HWY WHEN ERROR WAS DISPLAYED AND CAR SHUTDOWN IN ON ME AND WOULD NOT START BACK UP -DEALERSHIP STATED THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP -ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN -WHILE DRIVING - UNDER 3000 MILES LATER - SAME ERROR CODES OF LOW PRESSURE - CAR HESITANT TO CRANK AND STUDDERING ON LOW SPEEDS- TOWED TO …
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DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION -DRIVING ON HWY WHEN ERROR WAS DISPLAYED AND CAR SHUTDOWN IN ON ME AND WOULD NOT START BACK UP -DEALERSHIP STATED THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP -ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN -WHILE DRIVING - UNDER 3000 MILES LATER - SAME ERROR CODES OF LOW PRESSURE - CAR HESITANT TO CRANK AND STUDDERING ON LOW SPEEDS- TOWED TO DEALER WAS TOLD NO ISSUE FOUND AND THEY REPROGRAMMED THE FUEL PUMP -SAME ISSUE AGAIN - FUEL LINE AND SENSOR REPLACED -RAN FINE FOR ANOTHER 1000 MILES OR SO -WHILE DRIVING THE CAR JERKED REALLY HARD AND GAVE THE SAME DRIVETRAN MALFUNCTION ERROR --WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP HOWEVER CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE AT FULL SPEED- SAME CODES SEEN STORED -- BMW DO NOT KNOW WHATS CAUSING THE ISSUE HOWEVER REPLACING PARTS HOPING IT WILL FIX THE ISSUE AND CHARGING ME FOR THEIR TRIAL AND ERROR. -SINCE 2 MORE PARTS REPLACED CAR NOW WITH NEW ERROR AND OF COURSE BMW HAS NO CLUE BUT WANT TO CHARGE ME ANOTHER 1000 TO REPLACE ANOTHER PART.
NHTSA ODI #11163823
170,000 miles · Sep 28, 2018
EnginePower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535I. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND FROM THE CENTER OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND NOTICED OIL DRIPPING FROM THE OIL PAN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT AND OIL …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535I. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND FROM THE CENTER OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND NOTICED OIL DRIPPING FROM THE OIL PAN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT AND OIL PAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE CV JOINT FRACTURED, WHICH CAUSED THE DAMAGE TO THE OIL PAN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V067000 (POWER TRAIN) AND THAT THERE WOULD BE NO ASSISTANCE WITH HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
NHTSA ODI #11132121
76,521 miles · Aug 8, 2018
EnginePower TrainVisibility/wiper
I WAS DRIVING MY FAMILY AND MY ENGING CUT OFF ON AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START NOR GO INTO ANY GEAR TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR MIGHT BE ON A RECALL LIST BECAUSE IT JAS REACH OVER 70000MI NOW I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO TO
NHTSA ODI #11118464
70,000 miles · Jun 11, 2018
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND HESITATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW OF MANHATTAN (555 W 57TH ST, NEW YORK, NY) ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND HESITATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW OF MANHATTAN (555 W 57TH ST, NEW YORK, NY) ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE DEALER REPLACED VARIOUS COMPONENTS ON THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.
NHTSA ODI #11101193
73,600 miles · Feb 12, 2018
EngineFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535I. WHILE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE'S PLASTIC OIL FILTER HOUSING WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. LATER, WHILE DRIVING, A MESSAGE DISPLAYED INDICATING THAT THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535I. WHILE THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE'S PLASTIC OIL FILTER HOUSING WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. LATER, WHILE DRIVING, A MESSAGE DISPLAYED INDICATING THAT THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CASEY BMW (12861 JEFFERSON AVE, NEWPORT NEWS, VA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER PUMP WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. SOON AFTER THE REPAIR, A BURNING ODOR WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT OIL HAD LEAKED FROM THE PLASTIC OIL FILTER HOUSING ONTO THE ENGINE PULLEY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL FILTER HOUSING UNIT AND THE ENGINE PULLEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,600.
NHTSA ODI #11072228
86,009 miles · Dec 19, 2017
Engine
OUR 2011 BMW 535I EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OF THE VANOS BOLTS WHICH MADE THE CAR INOPERABLE AND REQUIRED A $5,000 REPAIR. RESEARCH REVEALED THAT BMW RECALLED APPROXIMATELY 165,000 CARS MANUFACTURED IN THE SAME TIME FRAME AS OUR CAR FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR MANY OTHERS. WHEN WE CONTACTED BMW NORTH AMERICA…
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OUR 2011 BMW 535I EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OF THE VANOS BOLTS WHICH MADE THE CAR INOPERABLE AND REQUIRED A $5,000 REPAIR. RESEARCH REVEALED THAT BMW RECALLED APPROXIMATELY 165,000 CARS MANUFACTURED IN THE SAME TIME FRAME AS OUR CAR FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR MANY OTHERS. WHEN WE CONTACTED BMW NORTH AMERICA ABOUT THE REPAIR COST THEY WOULD PROVIDE NO INFORMATION ABOUT WHY OUR CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL/EXTENDED WARRANTY. WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHICH CARS WERE RECALLED BY BMW AND BETTER UNDERSTAND WHY OUR CAR WAS EXCLUDED.
NHTSA ODI #11055579
80,000 miles · May 25, 2017
EngineFuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535I. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER LOCATED ON 43 NORTH AVE, BRIDGEPORT, CT 06606, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535I. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER LOCATED ON 43 NORTH AVE, BRIDGEPORT, CT 06606, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V746000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA ODI #10991604
140,000 miles · Oct 28, 2016
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V176000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). AFTER THE REPAIR, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V176000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). AFTER THE REPAIR, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ENGINE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
NHTSA ODI #10919903
88,000 miles · Sep 20, 2016
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AND COULD NOT BE OPERATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V176000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AND COULD NOT BE OPERATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V176000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE TECHNICIAN SUGGESTED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FIRST. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA ODI #10908118
Official recalls
4Feb 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.
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.
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.
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 ↗