2011 Bmw 535I: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
112 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
78,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 65 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 37 of 112 complaints (33.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 20 | 17.9% |
| Engine operation | 16 | 14.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 7.1% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 3.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 1.8% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 0.9% |
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 | 37 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 34 |
| Electrical System | 17 |
| Power Train | 17 |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
| Wheels | 7 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 |
Engine: 37; Fuel/Propulsion System: 34; Electrical System: 17; Power Train: 17; Unknown Or Other: 8; Wheels: 7; Air Bags: 5; Exterior Lighting: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 19 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 15 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 19 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 19; 75,000 to 99,999: 15; 100,000 to 149,999: 19; 150,000 and above: 2
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (19). 47 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 |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2017 | 19 |
| 2018 | 14 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2020 | 11 |
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2013: 3; 2014: 8; 2015: 3; 2016: 10; 2017: 19; 2018: 14; 2019: 12; 2020: 11; 2021: 10; 2022: 2; 2023: 6; 2024: 6; 2025: 6; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 20 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 16 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 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 10500202 · 2013-02-19 (February 19, 2013)
CPSC:I1320310A. 2011 BMW 535I. CONSUMER STATED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED. *LN THE FIRST TIME THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEY INFORMED HIM, THE PROBLEM WAS MINOR AND SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IT. THE SECOND TIME, THE INCIDENT OCCURRED, THE DEALER STATED IT WOULD TAKE 10 DAYS TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10500202 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10505304 · 2013-04-01 (April 1, 2013)
WHILE DRIVING MY 2011 BMW 535I ON THE INTERSTATE, ON A CONSTRUCTION ZONE, AT 11:00 PM, I HIT A POT HOLE WITH MY FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY NOTICED FRONT END VIBRATION. PULLED OVER, DID NOT NOTICE DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL/ TIRE AND CONTINUED DRIVING UNTIL ARRIVED AT HOME WITHOUT TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING ACTIVATION. UPON INSPECTION OF THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE, NOTICED AN APPROXIMATELLY A 3 INCH LONG "BUBBLE" ON THE SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE. FOLLOWING MONDAY, BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE GOOD YEAR SHOP FOR INSPECTION AFTER OPENING UP A CASE VI…
Owner-reported narrative. 17,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10505304 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10505615 · 2013-04-09 (April 9, 2013)
THE GOODYEAR RUN FLAT TIRES ON THE VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY DEVELOP BUBBLES ON THE SIDEWALL. I HAVE HAD THE TIRES REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES AND BMW REPLACED BECAUSE I HAD A TIRE/WHEEL PACKAGE. NOW THAT THE TIRE/WHEEL PACKAGE HAS EXPIRED I HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO GOODYEAR REGARDING THIS MATTER. I DO FEEL THAT THIS IS A GOODYEAR ISSUE BUT ALSO A BMW ISSUE BECAUSE THEY ARE INSTALLING A DEFECTED PRODUCT ON THEIR VEHICLES. FROM MY RECENT RESEARCH I SEE THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND THE PROBLEM HAS YET TO BE RECTIFIED. THESE TIRES ARE UNSAFE AND ARE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10505615 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10610026 · 2014-07-12 (July 12, 2014)
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM BMW IN JUNE 2014 RE A POTENTIAL BOLT FAILURE. THE LETTER STATED I WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE IN AND WHEN REPAIRS CAN BE DONE. WHEN I CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP (ELMHURST BMW AND BMW NORTH AMERICA) ON JULY 10, THEY SAID THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE IN. IT OCCURS TO ME THAT BMW MAY BE ATTEMPTING TO LIMIT THEIR POTENTIAL LIABILITY VIA THE LETTER AND THE SYMPTOMS LISTED (POOR GAS MILEAGE, ETC.). AS A SINGLE FEMALE WITH THIS CAR AS MY ONLY METHOD OF TRANSPORTATION, IT IS RATHER DISCONC…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10610026 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10614653 · 2014-07-18 (July 18, 2014)
I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH AND MY CAR JUST DIED ON THE STREET AND CHASSIS STABILIZATION LIGHT CAME ON.. HAD TO RESTART CAR 7-8 TIMES TO BE ABLE TO MOVE INSIDE PARKING LOT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 69,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10614653 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10618267 · 2014-08-01 (August 1, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V176000 (ENGINE, ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10618267 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10622470 · 2014-08-15 (August 15, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V176000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10622470 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10622515 · 2014-08-15 (August 15, 2014)
6 TIRES IN LESS THAN A 3 YEAR PERIOD HAVE FAILED. SOME HAVE BUBBLED. TWO HAVE GONE FLAT. ONE FAILED ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65MPH. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PARTICULAR PROBLEM WITH THE GOODYEAR RUNFLAT TIRES ON THE 19 INCH RIMS ON THIS VEHICLE. SMALL POTHOLES ARE UNAVOIDABLE ON MASSACHUSETTS ROADWAYS. SOME OF THE INCIDENTS OCCURRED DAYS AFTER. OTHERS WERE UNASSOCIATED WITH SUCH AN INCIDENT. BOTH BMW AND GOODYEAR REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10622515 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
14V176000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Reported: 2014-04-10 (April 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V746000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2016-10-17 (October 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V832000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module-Inactive
Reported: 2016-11-17 (November 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V067000 · Power Train:Driveline:Constant Velocity Joint
Reported: 2017-02-02 (February 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗