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2011 BMW 535XI

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.

About this comparison →
35Owner complaints

Model-year median: 15

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Inspection summary

2011 BMW 535XI

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 35 owner complaints · 0 recall campaigns · 0 investigations.

Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.

Top reported categories (up to 5)

  • Tires: 9 reports
  • Power Train: 7 reports
  • Wheels: 7 reports
  • Engine: 5 reports
  • Fuel/propulsion System: 5 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

    No recall campaigns in this snapshot.

    Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

    Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.

    How this year compares

    Owner complaints by model year

    Other model years Selected year
    71
    2008    15
    2010    35
    2011    18
    2012    4
    2013    0
    2014
    Compare all 535XI years →

    Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure and reporting. They are not failure rates.

    What owners reported most

    Tires
    9    Power Train
    7    Wheels
    7    Engine
    5    Fuel/propulsion System
    5
    All reported categories
    Seats
    3    Vehicle Speed Control
    2    Air Bags
    1    Engine And Engine Cooling
    1    Equipment Adaptive/mobility
    1    Service Brakes
    1    Steering
    1    Suspension
    1

    Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

    When problems were reported

    Mileage at the reported incident

    29 reports with mileage · 6 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.

    • Tires. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Power Train. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Wheels. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

    NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

    0 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

    Vehicle Speed Control complaints

    2 reports
    Clear category filter
    1,000 miles · Mar 14, 2012
    Vehicle Speed Control

    THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPED WITH ACTIVE CRUISE CONTROL TO MAINTAIN A SAFE DISTANCE FROM THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT. WHEN PASSING TO THE LEFT OF A LARGE TRUCK (THIS HAS NOT OCCURRED WHEN PASSING SMALLER VEHICLES) AND WHEN THERE IS NOTHING IN THE LANE IN FRONT OF THE BMW, IT ERRONEOUSLY SENSES SOMETHING VERY CLOSE IN FRONT AND MOMENT…

    Read full complaint

    THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPED WITH ACTIVE CRUISE CONTROL TO MAINTAIN A SAFE DISTANCE FROM THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT. WHEN PASSING TO THE LEFT OF A LARGE TRUCK (THIS HAS NOT OCCURRED WHEN PASSING SMALLER VEHICLES) AND WHEN THERE IS NOTHING IN THE LANE IN FRONT OF THE BMW, IT ERRONEOUSLY SENSES SOMETHING VERY CLOSE IN FRONT AND MOMENTARILY APPLIES THE BRAKES CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLOW 2 - 4 MPH. IT QUICKLY SENSES THAT INDEED THERE IS NOTHING IN FRONT OF IT AND RESUMES THE SET SPEED. THIS HAS ONLY BEEN NOTED DURING DAY TIME DRIVING ON DRY ROADS. IS VERY SPOADIC BUT HAS OCCURRED PERHAPS TWO DOZEN TIMES IN 7,000 MILES. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT BMW HAS WITNESSED THE PROBLEM BUT IS BAFFLED AS TO THE CAUSE. *TR

    NHTSA ODI #10451677

    Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2011
    Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

    THERE IS A VERY NOTICEABLE DELAY WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP BEFORE POWER IS DELIVERED TO THE WHEELS. THIS HAS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS IMPLICATIONS IN SITUATIONS WHERE THE NEED FOR POWER DELIVERY IS IMMEDIATE. *TR

    NHTSA ODI #10434964

    Recall campaigns

    0

    No recalls in this snapshot.

    Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

    Defect investigations

    0

    No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

    An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.