2016 Bmw 535D: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
9 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
65,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 9 complaints (44.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 22.2% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 11.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 4 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Tires | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
Engine: 4; Fuel System, Diesel: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Power Train: 1; Tires: 1; Unknown Or Other: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 6 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 3 |
2018: 2; 2022: 3; 2024: 1; 2025: 3
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11076396 · 2018-03-05 (March 5, 2018)
1 ST TIRE BLOWN 13000 MILES AT 45 MPH ON LAKE HAVASU CITY,AZ 2ND TIRE BLOWN 16000 MILES AT 65 ON 5FWY LOS ANGELES,CA AT 14 000 MILES HAD TO REPLACE A TIRE FOR A PUNTURE SO NO BIG DEAL BUT 3 GOODYEAR EAGLE LS 245/45R18 RUN ON FLAT BEFORE 20 000 MILES THATS A CONCERN SAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR
Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11076396 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11133207 · 2018-10-03 (October 3, 2018)
REDUCTANT TANK SENSOR FAILURE
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11133207 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11448370 · 2022-01-21 (January 21, 2022)
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 535D. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V907000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11448370 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11477184 · 2022-08-02 (August 2, 2022)
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 535D. The contact stated that the engine warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V907000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. The approximate failure mile…
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11477184 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11479056 · 2022-08-12 (August 12, 2022)
A recall campaign No. 21V-907 was issued for my car on November 19, 2021 for the EGR Cooler. In the past 6 months I've had to add engine coolant to the cooling system reservoir and I made sure it is not leaking on the ground. On 8-8-22 I had a check engine light(MIL) with a stored code of P2004 which indicated: Intake manifold runner control (IMRC) is stuck in the open position. According to your recall letter, an EGR Cooler leak could develop and the coolant could mix with the soot deposits in the intake manifold and under certain conditio…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11479056 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11604602 · 2024-07-25 (July 25, 2024)
HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAS SUDDENLY FAILED CAUSING A IMMEDIATE ENGINE STALL WITHOUT WARNING. WILL NOT RESTART EVEN THOUGH IT DOES TURN OVER. CODE READS LOW FUEL PRESSURE AT FUEL RAIL. FUEL TANK LIFT PUMP IS WORKING CORRECTLY. THERE IS A RECALL FOR SOME 2014 TO 2016 535D FOR THIS FAILURE. WHY IS MINE NOT COVERED? 122,400 MILES.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11604602 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11652697 · 2025-04-04 (April 4, 2025)
Valve cover leak Oil filter housing leak Super common that these items leak in the bmw N57 diesel engines. Increased risk of fire. I am in the Facebook group with many other owners of the same engine, and almost everyone runs into the same problems by 100,000 miles.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11652697 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11654425 · 2025-04-14 (April 14, 2025)
The contact owns a 2016 BMW 535D. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of motive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with high-pressure fuel pump failure. The vehicle was left at the local dealer, where it remained for further repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V586000 (Fuel System, Diesel); however, the VIN was not included. The manufac…
Owner-reported narrative. 116,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11654425 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
15V718000 · Child Seat | Seats:Mid/Rear Assembly
Reported: 2015-10-30 (October 30, 2015)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535d xDrive, M5, 550i, 550i xDrive, and 535d sedans. The affected vehicles have an inboard lower anchor for child restraints on the left rear seat that may have been bent downwards, preventing the child seat from fully engaging both lower anchors. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
Consequence: If the child seat is not properly attached to the lower anchors, it can increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair the inboard lower anchor on the left rear seat, free of charge. The recall began on December 28, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V914000 · Air Bags
Reported: 2016-12-20 (December 20, 2016)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2017 BMW 640i, 640i xDrive, 650i, 650i xDrive, M6, 535i, 535i xDrive, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, i3, i8, Rolls-Royce Dawn, Mini Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Cooper All4, Cooper S All4, Mini 4-Door Cooper, Cooper S, Mini 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works and 2016 BMW 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, M5 and 535d vehicles. The affected vehicles have seat- mounted side air bag inflator initiators that may fail to ignite during a crash.
Consequence: If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V755000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve)
Reported: 2018-10-25 (October 25, 2018)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2018 BMW 328d and 328d xDrive, 2014-2018 328d Sports Wagon and 328d xDrive Sports Wagon, 2014-2016 535d and 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d SAV and 2014-2017 X5 xDrive35d SAV vehicles equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module with an integrated cooler. If the EGR cooler leaks internally, the coolant can mix with diesel engine soot. The high EGR temperatures may result in these particles possibly smoldering and melting the intake manifold.
Consequence: The melting intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the EGR cooler as necessary. If a leak has already occurred, the engine intake manifold will also be replaced. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V586000 · Fuel System, Diesel:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2021-07-29 (July 29, 2021)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2018 328d, 328d xDrive, X5 xDrive35d, 2014-2016 535d, 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, and 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d vehicles. The high-pressure fuel pump may fail.
Consequence: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the high-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 14, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V907000 · Fuel System, Diesel
Reported: 2021-11-19 (November 19, 2021)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2018 328d, 328d xDrive, 2014-2018 328d Sports Wagon, 328d xDrive Sports Wagon, 2014-2016 535d, 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d SAV, and 2014-2017 X5 xDrive35d SAV diesel vehicles equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module with an integrated cooler. The EGR cooler may leak internally, causing coolant to mix with diesel engine soot, which could result in smoldering particles and a melting intake manifold.
Consequence: A melting intake manifold increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the EGR cooler and inspect the intake manifold, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 18V-755. Vehicles previously recalled under 18V-755 will need to have the new remedy performed for this recall. An interim owner notification letter was mailed on January 18, 2022. The remedy is expected to be available in June 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 6, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA campaign record ↗