BMW 535XI · model year

2010 BMW 535XI

26 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2010BMW535XI carries 26 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 4 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 2010 535XI is engine with 4 filings, followed by fuel/propulsion system (4) and fuel system, gasoline (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 2010 535XI. 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.

26
Complaints
0
Crashes
4
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

26 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
ENGINE4
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
POWER TRAIN2
AIR BAGS2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1
STEERING1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER1
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION1

Recent Complaints

20190207AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OCCUPANCY SENSOR FAILED, MEANING THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM DOES NOT KNOW IF SOMEONE IS SITTING THE IN PASSENGER SEAT. APPARENTLY, THIS WAS A RECALL ISSUE FOR 2006 BMWS, BUT THE MANUFACTURER FAILS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR NEWER ONES LIKE THOSE IN 2010. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH WILL SHOW THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM.

Mileage: 125,000

20190207AIR BAGS

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OCCUPANCY SENSOR FAILED, MEANING THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM DOES NOT KNOW IF SOMEONE IS SITTING THE IN PASSENGER SEAT. APPARENTLY, THIS WAS A RECALL ISSUE FOR 2006 BMWS, BUT THE MANUFACTURER FAILS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR NEWER ONES LIKE THOSE IN 2010. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH WILL SHOW THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM.

Mileage: 125,000

20190207AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OCCUPANCY SENSOR FAILED, MEANING THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM DOES NOT KNOW IF SOMEONE IS SITTING THE IN PASSENGER SEAT. APPARENTLY, THIS WAS A RECALL ISSUE FOR 2006 BMWS, BUT THE MANUFACTURER FAILS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR NEWER ONES LIKE THOSE IN 2010. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH WILL SHOW THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM.

Mileage: 125,000

20171106FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

BLOWER MOTOR SHORTED AND CAUSED WIDESPREAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AFFECTING HEADLIGHTS AND THEIR CONTROL. A LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE BLEW OUT OF THE VENTS AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING MOVED FROM THE GARAGE TO THE PARKING LOT AT A 3RD PARTY SERVICE PROVIDER.

Mileage: 60,000

20170515FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2010 BMW 535XI, CAUGHT FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS ONLY BEEN MAINTAINED AT BMW DEALERSHIP, AND CURRENT ON ALL INSPECTIONS, REPAIRS, AND MAINTENANCE. FIRE OCCURRED IN DUNCAN DOUGHNUTS DRIVE THROUGH, SLIGHT SMELL OF SMOKE WHILE AT DRIVE THROUGH LINE. WHILE RECEIVING FOOD AT WINDOW LESS THAN A MINUTE OR TWO LATER, AND WHILE IN PARK. FLAMES SHOT THROUGH HOOD AT MIDDLE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT BY WINDSHIELD AND REAR 1/3 OF THE MIDDLE OF THE HOOD WITH INTENSE SMOKE. IMMEDIATEL REACTION WAS TO PUT IN DRIVE AND MOVED FOREWORD TO GET AWAY FROM BUILDING TO GET OUT OF DOOR AS ENGINE DIED, WE SCRAMBLED OUT OF VEHICLE. 2 EMPLOYEES IMMEDIATELY ASSISTED WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHERS, BUT ENGINE COMPARTMENT QUICKLY ENGULFED 1ST IN THE MIDDLE HOOD THEN LEFT HOOD AND EVENTUALLY THROUGH THE WHEELWELL. I HAVE ALL SERVICE RECORDS, AND HAVE HAD ALL REQUIRED REPAIRS, RECALLS AND MAINTENANCE PERFORMED EXCLUSIVELY AT BMW DEALERSHIP. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NOT JUST CAT

Mileage: 83,000

20170515FireFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

2010 BMW 535XI, CAUGHT FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS ONLY BEEN MAINTAINED AT BMW DEALERSHIP, AND CURRENT ON ALL INSPECTIONS, REPAIRS, AND MAINTENANCE. FIRE OCCURRED IN DUNCAN DOUGHNUTS DRIVE THROUGH, SLIGHT SMELL OF SMOKE WHILE AT DRIVE THROUGH LINE. WHILE RECEIVING FOOD AT WINDOW LESS THAN A MINUTE OR TWO LATER, AND WHILE IN PARK. FLAMES SHOT THROUGH HOOD AT MIDDLE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT BY WINDSHIELD AND REAR 1/3 OF THE MIDDLE OF THE HOOD WITH INTENSE SMOKE. IMMEDIATEL REACTION WAS TO PUT IN DRIVE AND MOVED FOREWORD TO GET AWAY FROM BUILDING TO GET OUT OF DOOR AS ENGINE DIED, WE SCRAMBLED OUT OF VEHICLE. 2 EMPLOYEES IMMEDIATELY ASSISTED WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHERS, BUT ENGINE COMPARTMENT QUICKLY ENGULFED 1ST IN THE MIDDLE HOOD THEN LEFT HOOD AND EVENTUALLY THROUGH THE WHEELWELL. I HAVE ALL SERVICE RECORDS, AND HAVE HAD ALL REQUIRED REPAIRS, RECALLS AND MAINTENANCE PERFORMED EXCLUSIVELY AT BMW DEALERSHIP. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NOT JUST CAT

Mileage: 83,000

20170515FireUNKNOWN OR OTHER

2010 BMW 535XI, CAUGHT FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS ONLY BEEN MAINTAINED AT BMW DEALERSHIP, AND CURRENT ON ALL INSPECTIONS, REPAIRS, AND MAINTENANCE. FIRE OCCURRED IN DUNCAN DOUGHNUTS DRIVE THROUGH, SLIGHT SMELL OF SMOKE WHILE AT DRIVE THROUGH LINE. WHILE RECEIVING FOOD AT WINDOW LESS THAN A MINUTE OR TWO LATER, AND WHILE IN PARK. FLAMES SHOT THROUGH HOOD AT MIDDLE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT BY WINDSHIELD AND REAR 1/3 OF THE MIDDLE OF THE HOOD WITH INTENSE SMOKE. IMMEDIATEL REACTION WAS TO PUT IN DRIVE AND MOVED FOREWORD TO GET AWAY FROM BUILDING TO GET OUT OF DOOR AS ENGINE DIED, WE SCRAMBLED OUT OF VEHICLE. 2 EMPLOYEES IMMEDIATELY ASSISTED WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHERS, BUT ENGINE COMPARTMENT QUICKLY ENGULFED 1ST IN THE MIDDLE HOOD THEN LEFT HOOD AND EVENTUALLY THROUGH THE WHEELWELL. I HAVE ALL SERVICE RECORDS, AND HAVE HAD ALL REQUIRED REPAIRS, RECALLS AND MAINTENANCE PERFORMED EXCLUSIVELY AT BMW DEALERSHIP. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NOT JUST CAT

Mileage: 83,000

20170129STEERING

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING BMW 535 XI 2010 MODEL AND VIN NUMBER IS [XXX] ON HIGHWAY SUDDENLY "BATTERY MALFUNCTION" SHOWED; SHE WANT TO TAKES CAR ON SHOULDER BUT STEERING STOPPED WORKING. FINALLY SHE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR IN ONE OF REPAIR SHOP. REPAIR SHOP TOLD THE BELT TIED WITH STEERING WAS JAMMED AND IN BROKEN CONDITION. IT WAS LIFE THREAT AND THERE IS NO SIGNAL ON THIS. BOUGHT THIS KIND OF EXPENSIVE CAR AND THERE IS NO SAFETY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 1

20170129ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING BMW 535 XI 2010 MODEL AND VIN NUMBER IS [XXX] ON HIGHWAY SUDDENLY "BATTERY MALFUNCTION" SHOWED; SHE WANT TO TAKES CAR ON SHOULDER BUT STEERING STOPPED WORKING. FINALLY SHE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR IN ONE OF REPAIR SHOP. REPAIR SHOP TOLD THE BELT TIED WITH STEERING WAS JAMMED AND IN BROKEN CONDITION. IT WAS LIFE THREAT AND THERE IS NO SIGNAL ON THIS. BOUGHT THIS KIND OF EXPENSIVE CAR AND THERE IS NO SAFETY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 1

20170111FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHILE TRAVELING IN THE MIDST OF TRAFFIC ON BUSY ROADWAY THE FUEL PUMP STOPPED OPERATING(ON-BOARD COMPUTER DISPLAY). I RECEIVED A MESSAGE INDICATING THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE TO OPERATE BUT SHOULD BE CHECKED. I MANAGED TO STEER THE VEHICLE FROM THE MAIN ROADWAY BEFORE THE POWER STEERING CEASED TO OPERATE. THIS IS THE THIRD INCIDENT IN WHICH THE FUEL PUMP FAILURE OCCURRED. A PREVIOUS REPOST WAS MADE TO THE NHTSA #(10938620). A SAFETY RECALL WAS ACTIVATED FOR SEVERAL VEHICLE WITH THE SAME HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, BUT MY VIN IS NOT LISTED IN THE DATABASE. I FEAR FOR MY LIFE AND FOR THE LIVES OF OTHERS THAT COULD BE LINKED TO THE POTENTIAL TRAGEDY THAT MAY OCCUR. TODAY MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BMW SERVICE CENTER FOR ASSESSMENT. OF COURSE THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND I AM WAITING FOR AN OUTCOME AND FEEL VULNERABLE. I FEAR THAT I WILL BE STUCK WITH THE EXCESSIVE EXPENSE OF RESOLVING THE ISSUE OR THE RISK OF LOSING MY LIFE. *TR

Mileage: 51,400

20161229POWER TRAIN

TWO TIMES IN THE PAST FIVE DAYS MY 2010 BMW 535XI HAS SHUT DOWN. EACH TIME IT HAS MALFUNCTIONED(12/24/16 AND 12/29/16), THE AUTOMATIC DOWNSHIFT ACTIVATED). ONCE WHILE TRAVELING UP A HILL AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR AND ONCE WHILE TRAVELING IN EXCESS OF 55 MILES PER HOUR ON A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY. I WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOLLED TO A LOCAL GARAGE. SHORTLY AFTER ARRIVING THE TOW OPERATOR STARTED THE VEHICLE. IT STARTED WITHOUT HESITATION A SECOND TIME. I LEFT THE VEHICLE AT THE REPAIR SHOP AND PICKED IT UP FOUR DAYS LATER. IT HAS STARTED AND OPERATED AS BEFORE UNTIL DAY FIVE WHEN I WAS TRAVELING UPHILL AND IT INITIATED A DOWNSHIFT AND STOPPED OPERATING. EACH TIME THE FUEL PUMP FAILURE INDICATOR CAME ON. IT IS A SCARY FEELING, ESPECIALLY SINCE EACH TIME I WAS IN THE MIDST OF OTHER VEHICLES. *TR

Mileage: 51,110

20161229FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TWO TIMES IN THE PAST FIVE DAYS MY 2010 BMW 535XI HAS SHUT DOWN. EACH TIME IT HAS MALFUNCTIONED(12/24/16 AND 12/29/16), THE AUTOMATIC DOWNSHIFT ACTIVATED). ONCE WHILE TRAVELING UP A HILL AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR AND ONCE WHILE TRAVELING IN EXCESS OF 55 MILES PER HOUR ON A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY. I WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOLLED TO A LOCAL GARAGE. SHORTLY AFTER ARRIVING THE TOW OPERATOR STARTED THE VEHICLE. IT STARTED WITHOUT HESITATION A SECOND TIME. I LEFT THE VEHICLE AT THE REPAIR SHOP AND PICKED IT UP FOUR DAYS LATER. IT HAS STARTED AND OPERATED AS BEFORE UNTIL DAY FIVE WHEN I WAS TRAVELING UPHILL AND IT INITIATED A DOWNSHIFT AND STOPPED OPERATING. EACH TIME THE FUEL PUMP FAILURE INDICATOR CAME ON. IT IS A SCARY FEELING, ESPECIALLY SINCE EACH TIME I WAS IN THE MIDST OF OTHER VEHICLES. *TR

Mileage: 51,110

20161229ENGINE

TWO TIMES IN THE PAST FIVE DAYS MY 2010 BMW 535XI HAS SHUT DOWN. EACH TIME IT HAS MALFUNCTIONED(12/24/16 AND 12/29/16), THE AUTOMATIC DOWNSHIFT ACTIVATED). ONCE WHILE TRAVELING UP A HILL AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR AND ONCE WHILE TRAVELING IN EXCESS OF 55 MILES PER HOUR ON A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY. I WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOLLED TO A LOCAL GARAGE. SHORTLY AFTER ARRIVING THE TOW OPERATOR STARTED THE VEHICLE. IT STARTED WITHOUT HESITATION A SECOND TIME. I LEFT THE VEHICLE AT THE REPAIR SHOP AND PICKED IT UP FOUR DAYS LATER. IT HAS STARTED AND OPERATED AS BEFORE UNTIL DAY FIVE WHEN I WAS TRAVELING UPHILL AND IT INITIATED A DOWNSHIFT AND STOPPED OPERATING. EACH TIME THE FUEL PUMP FAILURE INDICATOR CAME ON. IT IS A SCARY FEELING, ESPECIALLY SINCE EACH TIME I WAS IN THE MIDST OF OTHER VEHICLES. *TR

Mileage: 51,110

20160818FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2010 BMW 535 XI. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE MANUFACTURER AGREEMENT TO COVER COST OF SPARK PLUGS REPLACEMENT UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT DENIES COVERAGE FOR FAULTY LOW PRESSURE FUEL SENSOR. *SMD

20151213FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL INJECTORS FAILED AT 51000 MILES CASUING LOSS OF ENGINE POWER RANDOMLY WITHOUT WARNING EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. TECHNICIAN STATES I NEED ALL SIX INJECTORS REPLACED.

Mileage: 51,166

20151103FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR I HAD THESE PROBLEMS.

Mileage: 75,000

20151103EXTERIOR LIGHTING

SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR I HAD THESE PROBLEMS.

Mileage: 75,000

20141003ENGINE

HAD 3 IGNITION COILS REPLACED AT 49000 MILES. WAS CAUSING ROUGH IDLE. HAD 3 MORE IGNITION COILS REPLACED AT 67000 MILES. WAS CAUSING ROUGH IDLE. HAD FUEL INJECTOR REPLACED IN CYLINDER 3. *TR

Mileage: 67,000

20140520ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 535XI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED IT WITH AN ENGINE LOSS. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER WHO INFORMED HER THAT THE CAM SHAFT IN THE ENGINE BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

Mileage: 85,000

20140321ENGINE

INJECTORS FAIL AT JUST 59000; REQUIRE ALL SIX INJECTORS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Mileage: 59,000

Compare 2010BMW535XI to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2010 BMW 535XI have?
The 2010 BMW 535XI has 26 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 4 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 BMW 535XI?
The most-complained component for the 2010 BMW 535XI is ENGINE with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.
Is the 2010 BMW 535XI 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.