NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
54 reports90,000 miles · Dec 6, 2021
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train
The contact owns a 2012 BMW 535I. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled as the drivetrain malfunction warning message flashed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start up after multiple attempts. The contact had a friend replace the battery; however, the failure p…
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The contact owns a 2012 BMW 535I. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled as the drivetrain malfunction warning message flashed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start up after multiple attempts. The contact had a friend replace the battery; however, the failure persisted. The contact then had the vehicle towed to a dealer where they diagnosed the vehicle with a defective fuel pump. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V746000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) which she linked to the failure. The manufacturer was notified and informed her that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #11442812
Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2021
Air BagsSeats
Based on research it appears BMW has a long history of issues and even a recall on select years around the passenger seat sensor detector becoming faulty and impacting the ability of the air bags to deploy in a collision. This seems to a critical issue since it could result in serious injury to the passenger in the event of a c…
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Based on research it appears BMW has a long history of issues and even a recall on select years around the passenger seat sensor detector becoming faulty and impacting the ability of the air bags to deploy in a collision. This seems to a critical issue since it could result in serious injury to the passenger in the event of a collision.
NHTSA ODI #11438883
Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2021
EngineExterior LightingFuel/propulsion System
While driving car stalled, dropped speed and engine warning light came on. Fuel pump was needed. Had to have car towed obtained a rental for 11 days. Fuel pump out of stock. Immediately after fuel pump was replaced less than two weeks the thermostat had to be replaced. Another tow and another rental. I need to be compensated…
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While driving car stalled, dropped speed and engine warning light came on. Fuel pump was needed. Had to have car towed obtained a rental for 11 days. Fuel pump out of stock. Immediately after fuel pump was replaced less than two weeks the thermostat had to be replaced. Another tow and another rental. I need to be compensated for stress aggravation and loss of use. Repairs and car rental and tow cost over $3500
NHTSA ODI #11432548
97,000 miles · Aug 25, 2021
Fuel System, Gasoline
The contact owns a 2012 BMW 535i. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact waited approximately 5-10 minutes before restarting the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure persisted soon after the initial failure. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer for assistanc…
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The contact owns a 2012 BMW 535i. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact waited approximately 5-10 minutes before restarting the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure persisted soon after the initial failure. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer for assistance. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V746000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.
NHTSA ODI #11430482
70,000 miles · Jun 14, 2021
Power Train
The contact owns a 2012 BMW 535i. The contact stated that the power train warning message was displayed. The vehicle was diagnosed but not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
NHTSA ODI #11420906
116,526 miles · May 13, 2021
EngineSuspension
3/23/2021 DRIVING ON I-94 IN MORNING RUSH HOUR WHEN ENGINE KILLED. WAS ABLE TO ROLL OVER TO THE MEDIAN BETWEEN AN ON-RAMP AND THE HIGHWAY BEFORE CAR STOPPED MOVING. CHARGE BATTERY LIGHT ON ON THE DASH AS WELL AS CHECK STABILIZATION WARNING. WOULD NOT TURN OVER AT ALL BUT DASH LIGHTS/WIPERS WERE ON (RAINING). TOWED TO MECHANIC I'…
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3/23/2021 DRIVING ON I-94 IN MORNING RUSH HOUR WHEN ENGINE KILLED. WAS ABLE TO ROLL OVER TO THE MEDIAN BETWEEN AN ON-RAMP AND THE HIGHWAY BEFORE CAR STOPPED MOVING. CHARGE BATTERY LIGHT ON ON THE DASH AS WELL AS CHECK STABILIZATION WARNING. WOULD NOT TURN OVER AT ALL BUT DASH LIGHTS/WIPERS WERE ON (RAINING). TOWED TO MECHANIC I'VE TAKEN VEHICLES TO FOR PAST 4-5 CARS/TRUCKS. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE #2 PISTON RING CAME OFF AND JAMMED BETWEEN THE CYLINDER WALL AND PISTON CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SEIZE/NEED TO BE REPLACED. ONCE IT WAS REPLACED AND WHILE DOING A TEST DRIVE, THE MECHANIC FELT A VIBRATION AND THEY FOUND THAT THERE WAS MOVEMENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AXLE SO THEY REPLACED THAT AS WELL. THE CAR HAD 116.5K ON IT WHEN I PURCHASED ABOUT 2 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE ENGINE AND CV ASSEMBLY NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. JUST GOT CAR BACK YESTERDAY, JUST OVER A MONTH AND A HALF TO REPAIR.
NHTSA ODI #11416491
109,000 miles · Feb 23, 2021
Exterior LightingVisibility/wiper
THE HEADLIGHT GET CONDENSATION INSIDE WHICH REDUCES INTENSITY OF HEAD LIGHT. THIS CONDENSATION HAS NOW CORRUPTED THE ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHT CONTROL MODULE WHICH MADE THE TURN SIGNAL NOT WORK. THE DESIGN OF THE HEAD LIGHT MOUNTING MAKES FOR A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR AND/OR REPLACEMENT BY HAVE TO REMOVE BUMPER JUST TO GET TO HEADLIGHT. …
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THE HEADLIGHT GET CONDENSATION INSIDE WHICH REDUCES INTENSITY OF HEAD LIGHT. THIS CONDENSATION HAS NOW CORRUPTED THE ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHT CONTROL MODULE WHICH MADE THE TURN SIGNAL NOT WORK. THE DESIGN OF THE HEAD LIGHT MOUNTING MAKES FOR A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR AND/OR REPLACEMENT BY HAVE TO REMOVE BUMPER JUST TO GET TO HEADLIGHT. 1. CONDENSATION REDUCES INTENSITY OF HEADLIGHTS 2. MOISTURE CORRODED ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHT CONTROLLER MODULE THAT ALSO MADE TURN SIGNAL NOT WORK. 3. VERY COMPLICATED ACCESS TO HEADLIGHT TO REPAIR (VERY EXPENSIVE)
NHTSA ODI #11397518
150,000 miles · Jan 25, 2021
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other
ENGINE BLEW A YEAR AGO AND I HAD TO HAVE THAT REPLACED BECAUSE THE ROD BEARINGS BLEW AT 90,000 MILES. REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAS FAILED NOT ONCE BUT 2 TIMES. FAILED THE FIRST TIME 11/24/2020 AND AFTER $2200 IN REPAIRS AGAIN ON 01/23/2021. NEVERMIND ALSO HAVING BOTH FROM CV AXLES REPLACED AS WELL. BUT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE I H…
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ENGINE BLEW A YEAR AGO AND I HAD TO HAVE THAT REPLACED BECAUSE THE ROD BEARINGS BLEW AT 90,000 MILES. REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAS FAILED NOT ONCE BUT 2 TIMES. FAILED THE FIRST TIME 11/24/2020 AND AFTER $2200 IN REPAIRS AGAIN ON 01/23/2021. NEVERMIND ALSO HAVING BOTH FROM CV AXLES REPLACED AS WELL. BUT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE I HAVE BEEN SEEING ON A LOT OF BMW'S.
NHTSA ODI #11389810
71,000 miles · Oct 28, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System
ON OCTOBER 10TH, 2020 AT APPROXIMATELY 830AM, I WAS DRIVING WESTBOUND ON THE 118 FWY, MY 2012 BMW 535I SUDDENLY LOST POWER. I TRIED TO GIVE IT MORE GAS BUT IT WOULD NOT GO FASTER. IT IMMEDIATELY GAVE ME AN ERROR POINTING TO THE FUEL SYSTEM. I WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE FREEWAY SAFELY. AFTER BEING INSPECTED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, IT …
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ON OCTOBER 10TH, 2020 AT APPROXIMATELY 830AM, I WAS DRIVING WESTBOUND ON THE 118 FWY, MY 2012 BMW 535I SUDDENLY LOST POWER. I TRIED TO GIVE IT MORE GAS BUT IT WOULD NOT GO FASTER. IT IMMEDIATELY GAVE ME AN ERROR POINTING TO THE FUEL SYSTEM. I WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE FREEWAY SAFELY. AFTER BEING INSPECTED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT BOTH OF MY FUEL PUMPS NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A RECALL FOR FUEL PUMPS FOR THE 2012 BMW 535I BUT MY SPECIFIC VIN NUMBER DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL. IT'S OBVIOUS I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AS OTHER 2012 BMW 535I.
NHTSA ODI #11366920
109,000 miles · Oct 14, 2020
Engine
WHILE DRIVING AT 40MPH, MY VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL BY ITSELF AND ALMOST CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES YESTERDAY AND NOW I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT.
NHTSA ODI #11364323
Official recalls
1Oct 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.
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
1DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds
Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.