BMW 535I US · model year

2011 BMW 535I US

45 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2011BMW535I US carries 45 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 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 2011 535I US is tires with 18 filings, followed by engine (6) and wheels (3). 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.

NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2011 535I US. 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.

45
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

45 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
TIRES18
ENGINE6
WHEELS3
POWER TRAIN3
STEERING2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
WHEELS:RIM1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY1
SERVICE BRAKES1
SUSPENSION1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1

Recent Complaints

20190529ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS. 1. BOTH HEAD LIGHTS BECAME FILLED WITH CONDENSATION/WATER. I TOOK IT TO A BMW DEALERSHIP. THEY PERFORMED A BMW DIAGNOSIS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE MOST LIKELY CASE WAS THE COLD AIR. THEY CHECKED FOR EXCESS AIR LEAKS IN BOTH HEAD LIGHTS BUT DID NOT FIND EXCESS AIR LEAKS. (SEE ATTACHED STATEMENT) THEY ALSO REPLACED A GASKET, OIL FILTER HOUSING. THE OIL FILTER HOUSING WAS ALLOWING OIL TO LEAK OUT FROM THE ENGINE 5.8. THEY PERFORMED REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF THE OIL FILTER HOUSING GASKET AND WASHED DOWN THE ENGINE OF THE OIL RESIDUE. THE INCIDENTS WERE DIAGNOSED AND REPLACE ACCORDINGLY ON JAN. 24. 2019. JUST RECENTLY, ABOUT 5 DAYS AGO TODAY, MY CAR STARTED MAKING A WEIRD LOUD NOISE LIKE A GARBAGE TRUCK MAKES WHEN IT GOES FROM STOP TO STOP. IT MADE THAT SOUND WHEN DRIVING, AS WELL AS WHEN PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. AT THE SAME TIME, I WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO OPEN MY TRUCK WITH NEITHER THE INSIDE BUTTON OR MY KEYS. I TOOK MY CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP THAT WAS CLOSE BY

Mileage: 74,943

20190529ENGINE

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS. 1. BOTH HEAD LIGHTS BECAME FILLED WITH CONDENSATION/WATER. I TOOK IT TO A BMW DEALERSHIP. THEY PERFORMED A BMW DIAGNOSIS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE MOST LIKELY CASE WAS THE COLD AIR. THEY CHECKED FOR EXCESS AIR LEAKS IN BOTH HEAD LIGHTS BUT DID NOT FIND EXCESS AIR LEAKS. (SEE ATTACHED STATEMENT) THEY ALSO REPLACED A GASKET, OIL FILTER HOUSING. THE OIL FILTER HOUSING WAS ALLOWING OIL TO LEAK OUT FROM THE ENGINE 5.8. THEY PERFORMED REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF THE OIL FILTER HOUSING GASKET AND WASHED DOWN THE ENGINE OF THE OIL RESIDUE. THE INCIDENTS WERE DIAGNOSED AND REPLACE ACCORDINGLY ON JAN. 24. 2019. JUST RECENTLY, ABOUT 5 DAYS AGO TODAY, MY CAR STARTED MAKING A WEIRD LOUD NOISE LIKE A GARBAGE TRUCK MAKES WHEN IT GOES FROM STOP TO STOP. IT MADE THAT SOUND WHEN DRIVING, AS WELL AS WHEN PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. AT THE SAME TIME, I WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO OPEN MY TRUCK WITH NEITHER THE INSIDE BUTTON OR MY KEYS. I TOOK MY CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP THAT WAS CLOSE BY

Mileage: 74,943

20190529EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS. 1. BOTH HEAD LIGHTS BECAME FILLED WITH CONDENSATION/WATER. I TOOK IT TO A BMW DEALERSHIP. THEY PERFORMED A BMW DIAGNOSIS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE MOST LIKELY CASE WAS THE COLD AIR. THEY CHECKED FOR EXCESS AIR LEAKS IN BOTH HEAD LIGHTS BUT DID NOT FIND EXCESS AIR LEAKS. (SEE ATTACHED STATEMENT) THEY ALSO REPLACED A GASKET, OIL FILTER HOUSING. THE OIL FILTER HOUSING WAS ALLOWING OIL TO LEAK OUT FROM THE ENGINE 5.8. THEY PERFORMED REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF THE OIL FILTER HOUSING GASKET AND WASHED DOWN THE ENGINE OF THE OIL RESIDUE. THE INCIDENTS WERE DIAGNOSED AND REPLACE ACCORDINGLY ON JAN. 24. 2019. JUST RECENTLY, ABOUT 5 DAYS AGO TODAY, MY CAR STARTED MAKING A WEIRD LOUD NOISE LIKE A GARBAGE TRUCK MAKES WHEN IT GOES FROM STOP TO STOP. IT MADE THAT SOUND WHEN DRIVING, AS WELL AS WHEN PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. AT THE SAME TIME, I WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO OPEN MY TRUCK WITH NEITHER THE INSIDE BUTTON OR MY KEYS. I TOOK MY CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP THAT WAS CLOSE BY

Mileage: 74,943

20180108POWER TRAIN

MY BMW HAS ABOUT 75K MILES ON IT. I WAS DRIVING IT ONE DAY AFTER WORK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY. CAR DID NOT SHUT DOWN OR ANYTHING BUT LOSS OF POWER, IT'S LIKE MY VEHICLE WENT INTO NEUTRAL GEAR, I STEPPED ON THE GAS AND THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE. THIS ALMOST RESULTED IN A FATAL CRASH. 'DRIVETRAN MALFUNCTION' CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. THIS IS VERY WEIRD FOR A CAR THAT ONLY HAS 75K MILES ON IT. I HAVEN'T HAD ANY ISSUES PRIOR TO THIS, CAR COMPLETELY STALLED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT, I THANK GOD I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF EXITING OFF THE HIGHWAY, OTHER WISE I WOULD'VE HAD A VERY FATAL CRASH.

Mileage: 76,000

20171104POWER TRAIN

CAR SHOWS ERROR OF DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION AND THE CAR STARTS TO SHAKE.

20171104ENGINE

THERE ARE WIRES ON THE ENGINE THAT ARE CRACKING AND WAS TOLD BY THE BMW DEALER THAT THIS CAN CAUSE A FIRE.

20170815WHEELS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535I US. WHILE DRIVING OVER 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE CONTACT REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO BRING THE SPEED DOWN TO 30 MPH, BUT THE SHAKING BECAME AGGRESSIVE. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE SHAKING CONTINUED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT HE HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE WHEELS, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE IF IT WAS THE FRONT OR REAR WHEELS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,712.

Mileage: 94,712

20170815SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535I US. WHILE DRIVING OVER 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE CONTACT REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO BRING THE SPEED DOWN TO 30 MPH, BUT THE SHAKING BECAME AGGRESSIVE. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE SHAKING CONTINUED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT HE HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE WHEELS, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE IF IT WAS THE FRONT OR REAR WHEELS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,712.

Mileage: 94,712

20170814UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I PURCHASED THIS CAR 2 MONTHS AGO. TODAY MY WIFE WHEN OUT WITH MY 14 AND 4 YEARS OLD DAUGHTERS AND THE CAR LOST POWER AND SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING AT AROUND 60 MPH IN THE HIGHWAY. THANKFULLY THEY ARE OK. BUT THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. IT STARTS BUT DIES WITHIN SECONDS NO IDEA WHAT THE PROBLEM IS BUT I FOUND THAT LOTS OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.

Mileage: 115,000

20170801FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION & CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. SCANNED CODE CAME BACK AS P0087 WHICH TRANSLATE TO "LOW FUEL RAIL PRESSURE". ZEIGLER BMW OF 11030 W 159TH ST, ORLAND PARK, IL 60467 STATES REMEDY IS UNAVAILABLE HOWEVER THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME $167.00 TO DIAGNOSE IT. TOLD ME TO WAIT FOR LETTER STATING REMEDY IS READY. $60K CAR I CANT DRIVE.

Mileage: 134,000

20170726FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

GAS SMELL IN INTERIOR OF VEHICLE, SERVICE NOTED THAT THERE IS GAS LEAK. THERE IS A KNOWN RECALL BUT WHEN WE CALL BMW AND THEY SAY THEY ARE PREPARED TO DO NOTHING AT THIS TIME AND WE NEED TO WAIT. WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR OVER 9 MONTHS NOW.

Mileage: 38,000

20161218ENGINE

CONTACTED THE LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP REGARDING THE "FAULTY VANOS BOLTS" THEY TOLD ME THAT MY CAR IS NOT AFFECTED BY THE FAULTY BOLTS WEEK LATER CAR BROKE DOWN DUE DEFECTIVE VANOS BOLT

Mileage: 106,908

20150818UNKNOWN OR OTHER

STARTED ENGINE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 6 TIMES BEFORE IN THE LAST 2 YEARS. EACH TIME IT WAS RELATED TO FUEL CAP/O2 SENSOR.

Mileage: 24,000

20150818ENGINE

STARTED ENGINE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 6 TIMES BEFORE IN THE LAST 2 YEARS. EACH TIME IT WAS RELATED TO FUEL CAP/O2 SENSOR.

Mileage: 24,000

20131202WHEELS

BUBBLE IN SIDEWALL OF RIGHT FRONT TIRE. TIRE REPLACED LESS THAN 2 MONTHS AGO. MINIMAL DRIVING, COMBINATION HIGHWAY/ROADS. *TR

Mileage: 38,404

20130718TIRES

THREE GOODYEAR EXCELLENCE 245/40R19XL RUN-FLAT TIRES HAVE FAILED WITH SIDEWALL BUBBLES ON MY 2011 BMW 535I. THE FIRST WAS ON 8-31-11 AT 7,317 MILES. THE SECOND ON 1-15-13 AT 20,158 MILES AND THE MOST RECENT ON 7-16-13 AT 23,433 MILES. THE FACTORY ORIGINAL RIGHT-FRONT TIRE AND ITS REPLACEMENT TIRE BOTH FAILED. THE THIRD FAILURE (ON 7-16-13) WAS ON THE LEFT FRONT. THIS IS MY WIFE'S CAR AND IT IS DRIVEN VERY CONSERVATIVELY. NO WRECKS, NO HITTING CURBS, ETC. NEVER IN MY LIFE HAVE I HAD THIS TYPE OF TIRE FAILURE. THESE RUN-FLAT TIRES ARE TRULY DEFECTIVE. IN EACH CASE, I HAD TO PAY FOR A NEW REPLACEMENT TIRE. OLD TIRES ARE NOT AVAILABLE UNLESS I COULD RECLAIM THE LATEST TIRE AT MY LOCAL TIRE SHOP BEFORE THEY DISCARDED IT. COMPLAINED TO GOODYEAR THE LAST TIME AND THEY AGREED TO PAY PART OF THE COST OF THE REPLACEMENT TIRE. THESE NEED TO BE TAKEN OFF THE ROAD BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR

Mileage: 7,317

20130414TIRES

I HAVE A 2011 BMW 535I IS PURCHASE NOV 2010 FROM BMW MILITARY SALES, THREE WEEKS AFTER RECEIVING CAR, MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE FORM A BUBBLE AND WAS REPLACED BY BMW OF LANDSTUHL, I SHIPPED THE CAR TO THE US MAY 2011. JUNE 2011 MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE FORM A BUBBLE; TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD TIRE WAS NOT COVER IN WARRANTY; BOTH NEW TIRE, AUG 2011 FRONT LEFT TIRE FORM BLISTER; TOOK BACK TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD I NEED TO CONTACT GOODYEAR; I EMAIL THE MANUFACTURE NO RESPONSE; APRIL 2013 I HAD CURBSIDE REAR TIRE TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT EL PASO HAD ROUGH ROADS AND THAT THE BLISTERS FORM FROM WEAR AND TEAR; SO I REPLACE ALL FOUR RUN FLAT TIRES AND NO MORE BUBBLES FORMING ON TIRES. NOT COUNTING THE TIRE REPLACE BY BMW LANDSTUHL I HAVE REPLACED 3 TIRES. *TR

Mileage: 1,800

20130129FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE DRIVE TRAIN WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD CALL HER AT A LATER DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,945 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,000. UPDATED 4/1/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVETRAIN, ENGINE MALFUNCTION, AND LOW BATTERY LIGHTS ALL ILLUMINATED. THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. ON THE SECOND OCCURRENCE, THE DRIVETRAIN LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE PUT ITSELF IN NEUTRAL AND REDUCED SPEED. THE CONSUMER PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CONSUMER REPEATEDLY ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT, WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. REPLACED HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP,

Mileage: 12,945

20130129ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE DRIVE TRAIN WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD CALL HER AT A LATER DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,945 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,000. UPDATED 4/1/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVETRAIN, ENGINE MALFUNCTION, AND LOW BATTERY LIGHTS ALL ILLUMINATED. THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. ON THE SECOND OCCURRENCE, THE DRIVETRAIN LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE PUT ITSELF IN NEUTRAL AND REDUCED SPEED. THE CONSUMER PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CONSUMER REPEATEDLY ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT, WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. REPLACED HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP,

Mileage: 12,945

20130129SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE DRIVE TRAIN WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD CALL HER AT A LATER DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,945 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,000. UPDATED 4/1/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVETRAIN, ENGINE MALFUNCTION, AND LOW BATTERY LIGHTS ALL ILLUMINATED. THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. ON THE SECOND OCCURRENCE, THE DRIVETRAIN LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE PUT ITSELF IN NEUTRAL AND REDUCED SPEED. THE CONSUMER PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CONSUMER REPEATEDLY ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT, WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. REPLACED HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP,

Mileage: 12,945

Compare 2011BMW535I US to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2011 BMW 535I US have?
The 2011 BMW 535I US has 45 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 BMW 535I US?
The most-complained component for the 2011 BMW 535I US is TIRES with 18 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and WHEELS.
Is the 2011 BMW 535I US 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.