BMW 535I · model year

2010 BMW 535I

81 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2010BMW535I carries 81 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 4 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2010 535I is fuel/propulsion system with 19 filings, followed by fuel system, gasoline (12) and engine (11). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2010 535I. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

81
Complaints
5
Crashes
4
Fires
4
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

81 filings

Crashes Reported

5 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM19
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE12
ENGINE11
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6
AIR BAGS4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING3
SEAT BELTS3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING2
POWER TRAIN2
STEERING1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
TIRES1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1

Recalls (1)

13V40700011/09/2013

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

BMW is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 528i, 535i, 550i, and M5 passenger cars manufactured from March 1, 2007, through December 31, 2009. Over time, increased resistance at the taillight electrical contact points may cause damage to the ground terminal and housing of the connector r

Recent Complaints

20250228FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Consistent fuel pump error code 2AAF

20220615CrashFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I was told by BMW that the high pressure fuel pump for these vehicles are under warranty for 100,000 miles or 10 years. I just purchased the vehicle to not only drive from new jersey to New York and shut down. Since then it caused an accident and the used dealer is just ignoring everything. I was also told there’s an electric water pump class action suit and also something with the trunk leaking. Now I do know that a vehicle is not supposed to be sold without recalls being stated and fixed. I’m already paid 10k for the car and then 1k for a starter . The vehicle is in the body shop having body repair due to the engine shutting down. If the engine shuts down it displays fuel pump malfunction and within 20-30 mins will start again. The BMW 535i has 96,000 miles on it and I don’t think it’s fair that I should be penalized for someone not following thru with repairs let alone having an accident on my insurance now. I’m asking please just help get the vehicle running again and all

Mileage: 71,835

20220615CrashELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I was told by BMW that the high pressure fuel pump for these vehicles are under warranty for 100,000 miles or 10 years. I just purchased the vehicle to not only drive from new jersey to New York and shut down. Since then it caused an accident and the used dealer is just ignoring everything. I was also told there’s an electric water pump class action suit and also something with the trunk leaking. Now I do know that a vehicle is not supposed to be sold without recalls being stated and fixed. I’m already paid 10k for the car and then 1k for a starter . The vehicle is in the body shop having body repair due to the engine shutting down. If the engine shuts down it displays fuel pump malfunction and within 20-30 mins will start again. The BMW 535i has 96,000 miles on it and I don’t think it’s fair that I should be penalized for someone not following thru with repairs let alone having an accident on my insurance now. I’m asking please just help get the vehicle running again and all

Mileage: 71,835

20210426FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20-25 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER. THE CONTACT COASTED AND MANUALLY STEERED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO RALLYE BMW (1 BRUSH HOLLOW RD, WESTBURY, NY 11590, (516) 226-7947) WHO HAD REPLACED AN UNKNOWN PART HOWEVER, APPROXIMATELY A WEEK LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE SAME WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE SAME DEALER AND THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

20210426ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20-25 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER. THE CONTACT COASTED AND MANUALLY STEERED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO RALLYE BMW (1 BRUSH HOLLOW RD, WESTBURY, NY 11590, (516) 226-7947) WHO HAD REPLACED AN UNKNOWN PART HOWEVER, APPROXIMATELY A WEEK LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE SAME WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE SAME DEALER AND THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

20210107FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

SEVERAL TIMES I WAS PLACED IN PERIL WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH RATES OF SPEED THEN THE CAR STALLS ON US HIGHWAY 95. THERE WERE ALSO TIMES WHEN THE CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 35MPH. WHEN THIS HAPPENS I HAVE NO REAL CONTROL TO STEER THE WHEEL, NO PRIOR WARNING OR ISSUES WITH THE CAR TO INDICATE IT WOULD STALL. IT IS EXTREMELY TRAUMATIZING. TRAUMATIZING! MESSAGE OF "FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTION. MODERATE DRIVING POSSIBLE". CAR STALLS WHILE IN MOTION WHETHER IT IS 20MPH OR 65MPH. INITIAL MALFUNCTION IN JULY WAS AFTER 1HR OF DRIVING THEN SEVERAL TIMES AFTER THAT PERIODICALLY AS THE CAR ISN'T DRIVEN OFTEN DUE TO STAY AT HOME RESTRICTIONS. THE ISSUE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AT TWO AUTO MECHANIC SHOPS, IN FACT BY THE TIME THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED, THE CAR STARTED AND WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN ONTO THE TRUCK. THERE IS NO PATTERN OF DRIVING BEHAVIOR OR MESSAGES BETWEEN FAILURE / STALL AND AS MONTHS WENT ON, THE TIME BETWEEN STALL AND INABILITY TO START THE CAR SHORTENED FROM DRIVING1HR TO DRIVING 10 MINU

Mileage: 128,000

20201123FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

RECEIVING P0087 LOW PRESSURE FUEL, CAR GOES INTO DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION. FIX IS REPLACING HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP.

Mileage: 150,000

20200702ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE BATTERY DISCHARGING MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVE BELTS, BATTERY, INTELLIGENT BATTERY SENSOR (IBS) SYSTEM, BOLTS, HOSE AND ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V176000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE BUT PROVIDED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.*DT

Mileage: 70,000

20200702ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE BATTERY DISCHARGING MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVE BELTS, BATTERY, INTELLIGENT BATTERY SENSOR (IBS) SYSTEM, BOLTS, HOSE AND ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V176000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE BUT PROVIDED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.*DT

Mileage: 70,000

20200702FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHEN STARING UP, EXTENDED CRANK/SLOW STARTUP . CONTACTED BMW 'FUEL PUMP ISSUE'. NOT COVERED ON CURRENT RECALLS BECAUSE OF YEAR OF CAR. ALL OTHER 5 SERIES HAVE AN OPEN RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM

20200627ENGINE

I HAD THE CAR SERVICED BY A MECHANIC BECAUSE I HAD CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FAULTS. WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED. SPARK PLUGS AND COPS WERE REPLACED. SOME OF THE FUEL INJECTORS WERE ALSO REPLACED. MECHANIC ASKED ME TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR 100 MILES TO SEE IF ANY CHECK ENGINE ISSUES WILL REAPPEAR. THE VEHICLE FIRST BEGAN STATING IT HAD LOW OIL PRESSURE AND WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO CHECK THE OIL LEVEL, IT WOULD CONTINUE TO JUST STOP AT 15%. I THEN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE INDICATOR WENT AWAY FOR THE LOW OIL PRESSURE. I DROVE ABOUT 10 MORE MILES AND DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION APPEARED AND I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANIC. ENGINE WAS SEIZED. WHAT WAS FOUND IN THE ENGINE WAS "SHARDS OF METAL". MANY PEOPLE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE 5 SERIES BMW ENGINES. I THINK THAT BMW IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE ENGINE FAILURES. *TR

Mileage: 145,000

20200627SUSPENSION

I HAD THE CAR SERVICED BY A MECHANIC BECAUSE I HAD CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FAULTS. WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED. SPARK PLUGS AND COPS WERE REPLACED. SOME OF THE FUEL INJECTORS WERE ALSO REPLACED. MECHANIC ASKED ME TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR 100 MILES TO SEE IF ANY CHECK ENGINE ISSUES WILL REAPPEAR. THE VEHICLE FIRST BEGAN STATING IT HAD LOW OIL PRESSURE AND WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO CHECK THE OIL LEVEL, IT WOULD CONTINUE TO JUST STOP AT 15%. I THEN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE INDICATOR WENT AWAY FOR THE LOW OIL PRESSURE. I DROVE ABOUT 10 MORE MILES AND DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION APPEARED AND I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANIC. ENGINE WAS SEIZED. WHAT WAS FOUND IN THE ENGINE WAS "SHARDS OF METAL". MANY PEOPLE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE 5 SERIES BMW ENGINES. I THINK THAT BMW IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE ENGINE FAILURES. *TR

Mileage: 145,000

20200624FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND WAS PASSING A VEHICLE AND AS I WAS GETTING PAST OTHER DRIVER MY ONBOARD DASH POPPED UP SAYING CAR NEEDED TO GET SERVICED. DESCRIPTION OF FAULT WAS FUEL PUMP. ALL POWER WAS LOST AND WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET PAST OTHER MOTORIST TO GET TO THE SHOULDER. ONCE I SAT FOR ABOUT 20 MIN WAS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE AND GET TO MY DESTINATION 8 MILES DOWN THE ROAD. THIS MADE ME FEEL VERY U SAFE AND COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WITH THE OTHER MOTORIST. I WAS ON A 2 LANES STATE ROAD WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THERE WAS ALSO ANOTHER VEHICLE BEHIND THE MOTORIST I WAS PASSING TO OVER TAKE. *TR

Mileage: 145,250

20200218SERVICE BRAKES

MY BMW 2010 5 SERIES GT ( CAMPAIGN 10V446000 ) HAS HAD ISSUES PERTAINING TOO A CHECK VALVE OF THE BREAK VACUUM PUMP THAT LEAKS A SMALL AMOUNT OF LUBRICATING OIL. OVER TIME THIS HAS CONTAMINATED MY BRAKE BOOSTER, AND ALSO THERE HAS BEEN ISSUES WITH THE POWER ASSIT BRAKING PERFORMANCE THAT HAS LED TOO LOSS OF POWER ASSIST BRAKING WHICH I'VE DONE RESEARCH AND THAT COULD POTENTIALLY INCREASE A RISK OF AN ACCIDENT. MY FUEL GUAGE HAS ALSO DISPLAYED A LARGER AMOUNT OF FUEL THAN WAS ACTUALLY IN THE TANK, WHICH COULD ALSO INCREASE MY VEHICLE TOO STALL AND INCREASE A CHANCE OF ME BEING IN A ACCIDENT.

Mileage: 88,924

20200218ENGINE

MY BMW 2010 5 SERIES GT ( CAMPAIGN 10V446000 ) HAS HAD ISSUES PERTAINING TOO A CHECK VALVE OF THE BREAK VACUUM PUMP THAT LEAKS A SMALL AMOUNT OF LUBRICATING OIL. OVER TIME THIS HAS CONTAMINATED MY BRAKE BOOSTER, AND ALSO THERE HAS BEEN ISSUES WITH THE POWER ASSIT BRAKING PERFORMANCE THAT HAS LED TOO LOSS OF POWER ASSIST BRAKING WHICH I'VE DONE RESEARCH AND THAT COULD POTENTIALLY INCREASE A RISK OF AN ACCIDENT. MY FUEL GUAGE HAS ALSO DISPLAYED A LARGER AMOUNT OF FUEL THAN WAS ACTUALLY IN THE TANK, WHICH COULD ALSO INCREASE MY VEHICLE TOO STALL AND INCREASE A CHANCE OF ME BEING IN A ACCIDENT.

Mileage: 88,924

20200218FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MY BMW 2010 5 SERIES GT ( CAMPAIGN 10V446000 ) HAS HAD ISSUES PERTAINING TOO A CHECK VALVE OF THE BREAK VACUUM PUMP THAT LEAKS A SMALL AMOUNT OF LUBRICATING OIL. OVER TIME THIS HAS CONTAMINATED MY BRAKE BOOSTER, AND ALSO THERE HAS BEEN ISSUES WITH THE POWER ASSIT BRAKING PERFORMANCE THAT HAS LED TOO LOSS OF POWER ASSIST BRAKING WHICH I'VE DONE RESEARCH AND THAT COULD POTENTIALLY INCREASE A RISK OF AN ACCIDENT. MY FUEL GUAGE HAS ALSO DISPLAYED A LARGER AMOUNT OF FUEL THAN WAS ACTUALLY IN THE TANK, WHICH COULD ALSO INCREASE MY VEHICLE TOO STALL AND INCREASE A CHANCE OF ME BEING IN A ACCIDENT.

Mileage: 88,924

20200210ENGINE

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BRING VEHICLE UP TO SPEED ON THE ON-RAMP OF THE HIGHWAY, THE "FUEL PUMP WARNING" WILL DISPLAY ON SCREEN. THIS IS THEN FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF POWER IN THE ENGINE UNTIL THE ENGINE STOPS AND THE VEHICLE NO LONGER RUNS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED AND DIAGNOSED AS THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP BE TECHNICIAN. TECHNICIAN ADVISED ME THAT BMW HAS RECALLED "CERTAIN" MODELS FOR THIS PROBLEM.

Mileage: 115,000

20200210FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BRING VEHICLE UP TO SPEED ON THE ON-RAMP OF THE HIGHWAY, THE "FUEL PUMP WARNING" WILL DISPLAY ON SCREEN. THIS IS THEN FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF POWER IN THE ENGINE UNTIL THE ENGINE STOPS AND THE VEHICLE NO LONGER RUNS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED AND DIAGNOSED AS THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP BE TECHNICIAN. TECHNICIAN ADVISED ME THAT BMW HAS RECALLED "CERTAIN" MODELS FOR THIS PROBLEM.

Mileage: 115,000

20200205FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING STEADILY ON THE INTERSTATE (I494 IN BLOOMINGTON, MN) WITH TRAFFIC AT ROUGHLY 65MPH, I RECEIVED A MESSAGE ON THE DASH OF FUEL PUMP FAILURE, DRIVE SLOWLY. CAR PROCEEDED TO GO INTO 'LIMP MODE' WITH REDUCED POWER AND THEN STALLED OUT'GAVE ME JUST ENOUGH TIME TO NAVIGATE TO A RELATIVELY SAFER SPOT ON THE SHOULDER OF THE INTERSTATE. TRIED TO RESTART CAR, BUT IT WOULD STRUGGLE AND THEN FAIL EACH TIME.

Mileage: 80,298

20191009VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE FROM THE SUN ROOF. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED, SHUT OFF, AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. FURTHERMORE, THE CONTACT'S WIFE SMELLED A FUEL ODOR EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V746000(FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BMW OF MACON (4785 RIVERSIDE DR, MACON, GA 31210, 478-757-7000). THE DEALER PROVIDED A COST ESTIMATE OF $6,000 TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE, WHICH DID NOT INCLUDE THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BY MAIL WHEN THE CONTACT SENT A COPY OF THE RECALL NOTICE HE RECEIVED. THE MANUFACTURER SENT THE RECALL LETTER BACK TO THE CONTACT AND STATED THAT THIS WAS NOT INFORMATION THEY REQUESTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Compare 2010BMW535I to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2010 BMW 535I have?
The 2010 BMW 535I has 81 NHTSA complaints, 5 crashes, 4 fires, 4 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2010 BMW 535I?
Yes, the 2010 BMW 535I has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 BMW 535I?
The most-complained component for the 2010 BMW 535I is FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM with 19 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE and ENGINE.
Is the 2010 BMW 535I safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.