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BMW · NHTSA safety record

2011 BMW 535I

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

112

Complaints

5

Crashes

6

Fires

8

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2011 BMW 535I have filed 112 safety complaints with NHTSA between February 2013 and April 2026. The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 37 of them (33%). The typical failure was reported at 78,000 miles, the median across the 65 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 4 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (4)

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT

17V067000 · February 2, 2017

The defect
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.
The risk
If the CV joint breaks, the vehicle may have a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 8,752 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

16V832000 · November 17, 2016

The defect
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.
The risk
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.
The 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.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 91 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

16V746000 · October 17, 2016

The defect
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.
The risk
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.
The 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.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 136,188 vehicles across all model years covered

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

14V176000 · April 10, 2014

The defect
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.
The risk
If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The 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.

BMW of North America, LLC · up to 156,137 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 112.

ENGINE 37 33%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 34 30%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17 15%
POWER TRAIN 17 15%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 8 7%
WHEELS 7 6%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 6 5%
AIR BAGS 5 4%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 5 4%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 4 4%
TIRES 3 3%
SERVICE BRAKES 2 2%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2017 at 19.

2013 2017 2026
2013 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

3 injured · crash · towed · 22,000 miles

IN MAY, 2014 I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES PER HOUR ON THE OLD VALDOSTA HIGHWAY WHEN A SCHOOL BUS RAN A STOP SIGN AND T-BONED ME ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *TR

NHTSA complaint 10933802. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2 injured · crash · towed · 57,000 miles

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 535i. The contact stated while jump-starting another vehicle in the driveway, he reversed to park the vehicle by the side of the other vehicle; however, the vehicle surged and accelerated unintendedly. The contact stated that he depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle sped into the garage, hit equipment, and hit the contact's wife. The contact stated that he then shifted into drive (D) to drive out of the garage; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle sped through the driveway, struck a stone retaining wall, and entered the roadway. The contact stated that he slightly steered the

NHTSA complaint 11574402, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 injured · fire

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 complaint 11429338. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

1 injured · crash · towed · 143,000 miles

The contact owned a 2011 BMW 535I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, however the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal became stuck. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated into oncoming traffic. The contact's vehicle was crashed into by two oncoming vehicles. No warning light. The contact was taken to the local medical center, where the contact received multiple X-rays. In addition, the contact sustained bruises and pain to the left and right knees and to the middle of the chest. The contact stated that the pain in the chest was

NHTSA complaint 11721737, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
ValveTronic motor and eccentric shaft is a very common issue that my specific car has. Affects the timing and makes a loud sound. Dangerous to drive in this condition.

NHTSA complaint 11732394. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · towed · 132,000 miles

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 535i. The contact stated that when pressing the accelerator pedal to drive from being idle at a red light, the driver's side air bag deployed out of the steering wheel without impact. The contact sustained burns to the left arm, right cheek, and chest area. The contact had suffered stomach issues due to inhaling the dust and fumes from the air bag. Medical attention was required. The vehicle was towed by AAA to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the horn module needed to be replaced; however, the part was not available. The vehicle was towed to another independent mechanic, where the vehicle remained for a month, and Liberty Mutual was to

NHTSA complaint 11682140, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I purchased the BMW 535 and it continues to have drivetrain malfunction issues. This feels like a safety concern for several reasons. The first is that were not able to identify the issue, but I believe it has to do with the systems diagnostics being triggered or misfiring this is an unfortunateissue because wherever we are, we can get stuck randomly. Lastly, the car has an issue with Oberheu. Issue because wherever we are, we can get stuck randomly. Lastly, the car has a issue with overheating believe it has to do with the radial hose

NHTSA complaint 11667152. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My car suddenly shut off when I came to a stop at a red light while on a busy state route. The information cluster then began to read “Fuel supply” and “Battery Discharge” My car would not turn back on and still has not turned back on since and it's been over a month now. According to the OBD results, the fuel pump and injectors were somehow seized and therefore have caused the car to become inoperable. I was forced to spend over $1000 just to get my car out of the police tow yard and towed to my home because I could not afford the cost of the repairs needed. The NHSTA website states that there is a recall on both the fuel system and the electrical system for my exact vehicle, but according

NHTSA complaint 11651226, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

fire · towed · 140,000 miles

The contact owned a 2011 BMW 535i. The contact stated that while the vehicle was unoccupied and parked in a parking lot, it was brought to the attention of the contact that the vehicle caught on fire. The local fire department arrived on the scene to extinguish the fire. The contact stated that it was unknown if a fire report was filed. A police report was filed. No injuries were sustained. The origin of the fire was unknown. The contact stated that the fire damaged one other parked and unoccupied vehicle that was nearby. The vehicle was towed by the insurance and was deemed a total loss. The vehicle remained in the possession of the insurance provider for further investigation. The local

NHTSA complaint 11641786, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the BMW 535I

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2016 12 2 —
2015 23 0 —
2014 30 2 —
2013 38 1 —
2012 54 1 —
2010 58 1 —

Other 2011 BMW models

328I 574 X5 263 528I 117 X3 112 335I 97 550I 84 5 Series 81 328XI 67

Every BMW on this site — 249 vehicles, 484 recall campaigns and 2 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst