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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

What owners actually said

112 reports
129,000 miles · Dec 6, 2022
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 335I. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact inspected the vehicle and discovered that the bolts used to secure the housing for the camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit had loose…

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The contact owns a 2011 BMW 335I. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact inspected the vehicle and discovered that the bolts used to secure the housing for the camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit had loosened over time, causing the vehicle to stall. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V176000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) which he linked to the failure. The contact called two dealers and the manufacturer and was informed that the vehicle was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.

NHTSA ODI #11496220

Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2022
Engine

The water pump failure recall BMW currently has for 8 and 12 cylinder engines need to include 3.0 6 cylinder engines also. My car had the identical failure as the current recall and its not covered . Why? There is just as many 6 cylinder water pump failures as 8 and 12 cylinder cars . This is not right . Extremely dangerous and …

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The water pump failure recall BMW currently has for 8 and 12 cylinder engines need to include 3.0 6 cylinder engines also. My car had the identical failure as the current recall and its not covered . Why? There is just as many 6 cylinder water pump failures as 8 and 12 cylinder cars . This is not right . Extremely dangerous and needs rectified now . Please help me my email is [XXX] Phone [XXX]. My car is currently exhibiting the water pump failure . I'm afraid to take my family anywhere in the car . INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #11469276

Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 2021
Engine

My car is leaking oil from one of the rings in the engine and it’s leaking on the manifold

NHTSA ODI #11443168

Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 2021
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

Passenger side door lock actuator has failed. Door lock actuators should not be failing on cars that are less than 10m years old. This causes a major safety issue when you are unable to open/unlock the door from the inside or outside because the lock can not be actuated (manually or with button). Given the vast amount of actuato…

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Passenger side door lock actuator has failed. Door lock actuators should not be failing on cars that are less than 10m years old. This causes a major safety issue when you are unable to open/unlock the door from the inside or outside because the lock can not be actuated (manually or with button). Given the vast amount of actuators failing, this should be addressed with BMW. This has become a common issue with BMW vehicles.

NHTSA ODI #11436252

Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2021
Electrical SystemFire

Car failed to start due fuel pump wires malfunction.

NHTSA ODI #11430841

Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2021
Electrical SystemSeatsFireInjury

Flame erupted out the top of Passenger seat, sitting cushion. Moms butted blistered, used personal health insurance for medical care. I do have pics in other phone. I will resubmit claim

NHTSA ODI #11429338

Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2021
Electrical System

Rear driver windows fault. check engine light came on car scanned and got fault code 030115 " Rear door power window on driver side . invalid characteristics curve- no normalization present

NHTSA ODI #11427226

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

Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2021
Fuel/propulsion System

while driving on the highway the car turned off suddenly. Car was towed to home after checking possible causes we found out the even the THE FUEL GAUGE IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS displaying a large amount of fuel ( 1/2 tank) actually it was empty . We did put 2 gallons of gasoline than car start up again but the fuel gauge…

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while driving on the highway the car turned off suddenly. Car was towed to home after checking possible causes we found out the even the THE FUEL GAUGE IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS displaying a large amount of fuel ( 1/2 tank) actually it was empty . We did put 2 gallons of gasoline than car start up again but the fuel gauge still showing half of tank.

NHTSA ODI #11424497

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

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.