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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
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

175,000 miles · Jul 14, 2019
Wheels

THE OEM WHEEL, 71414, IS PRONE TO CRACKING AND BREAKING. I HAVE REPAIRED AND REPLACED MORE THAN 4 WHEELS ON THIS VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED ALONG WITH TIRES.

NHTSA ODI #11231801

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

68,000 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

68,880 miles · Jan 8, 2019
Unknown Or Other

DRIVING I HEAR THIS LOUD NOISE COMING FROM UP UNDER MY HOOD .THIS NOISE IS SO LOUD ITS LIKE THE FAN IS IDLING UP AT FOR BOUT 5 SECONDS ,IN OTHER WORDS ITS OVER HEATING .

NHTSA ODI #11165936

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

54,945 miles · Dec 26, 2018
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535I. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE WAS DRIVING 20 MPH, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED WITH A LOUD BLAST. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER IN A NEARBY PARKING LOT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND DROVE HOME. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535I. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE WAS DRIVING 20 MPH, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED WITH A LOUD BLAST. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER IN A NEARBY PARKING LOT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND DROVE HOME. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ASSIGNED A CASE MANAGER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,945.

NHTSA ODI #11163473

Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

FUEL SYSTEM WAS THE ALARM ON THE CAR AND IT WON'T STAY STARTED ON MORE THAN 2 SECONDS. FINAL AFTER 4 ATTEMPTS IT WON'T START AT ALL. HAD TO GET THE VEHICLE TOWED.

NHTSA ODI #11157080

62,000 miles · Nov 29, 2018
Unknown Or OtherFire

MY WIFE WENT TO GET A HAIRCUT, PARKED HER 2011 BMW 535XI AWD AT APPROXIMATELY 1:30 P.M. MST (THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE CAR WAS LOCKED) IN THE RETAIL CENTER PARKING LOT. AT APPROXIMATELY 2:45 P.M. MST SOMEONE ENTERED THE SALON AND SAID A CAR WAS ON FIRE (HER CAR). THE FIRE APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN IN THE BACK SIDE OF THE EN…

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MY WIFE WENT TO GET A HAIRCUT, PARKED HER 2011 BMW 535XI AWD AT APPROXIMATELY 1:30 P.M. MST (THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND THE CAR WAS LOCKED) IN THE RETAIL CENTER PARKING LOT. AT APPROXIMATELY 2:45 P.M. MST SOMEONE ENTERED THE SALON AND SAID A CAR WAS ON FIRE (HER CAR). THE FIRE APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN IN THE BACK SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. IT IS CONCERNING A PARKED CAR THAT WAS TURNED OFF AND LOCKED STARTED ON FIRE. THANKFULLY FOR MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN WHO ARE USUALLY WITH HER THE CAR DIDN'T CATCH FIRE WHEN THEY WERE IN THE CAR OR WHILE IT WAS PARKED IN OUR HOME GARAGE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO MY SON'S BEDROOM. I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE ONLINE AND FOUND MANY OTHER BMW OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT BMW ISSUED A RECALL TO FIX THE ISSUES. I CHECKED OUR CAR FOR RECALLS TONIGHT AND BOTH THE BMW SITE AND NHTSA SITE SHOWED ZERO OPEN RECALLS. PLEASE ADVISE ON WHAT STEPS WE SHOULD DO TO ENSURE THIS TRAGIC EVENT DOESN'T OCCUR TO OTHER OWNERS.

NHTSA ODI #11154652

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

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.