https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi New NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for the BMW 535xi. en-us Wed, 23 Sep 2026 07:38:01 GMT https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi#complaint-2020188 Wed, 28 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMT Car is over heating. Replace water pump and thermostat. Car still over heating. Bad water pumps. https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi#complaint-2020189 Wed, 28 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMT Car is over heating. Replace water pump and thermostat. Car still over heating. Bad water pumps. https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi#complaint-1994656 Mon, 27 May 2024 00:00:00 GMT the taillight, blinker and reverse light all went out and when I pulled the components out To check to see if the bulbs are burnt all of the bulbs are perfectly fine, but the aluminum pieces were sparking, and the whole component will not work https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi#complaint-1874752 Mon, 20 Feb 2023 00:00:00 GMT Station wagon lift gate has severe wiring failures between the lift gate and body. This problem is well known throught the blog community. Broken wires cause failures, and electrical danger, to the rear lighting system that includes brake, running, back up, and turn signals. Also effected is the rear wiper, defroster, and operation access to open and close the lift gate. Tailgate failure would https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi#complaint-1874753 Mon, 20 Feb 2023 00:00:00 GMT Station wagon lift gate has severe wiring failures between the lift gate and body. This problem is well known throught the blog community. Broken wires cause failures, and electrical danger, to the rear lighting system that includes brake, running, back up, and turn signals. Also effected is the rear wiper, defroster, and operation access to open and close the lift gate. Tailgate failure would https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi#complaint-1811242 Fri, 06 May 2022 00:00:00 GMT The passenger seat occupancy sensor stopped working. On the NHSTA website I found where BMW offered a 15 year warranty for this part. What was the negotiation with NHSTA that BMW offered this warranty? It is warranty SI B01 01 18. My car on the list is the E60 and E61 with option 456 (Comfort Seat). BMW refuses to honor this warranty and want to charge me $2,700 to repair this. Note that the front https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi#complaint-1808336 Wed, 20 Apr 2022 00:00:00 GMT The vehicle's engine caught fire approximately 13 1/2 hours after last having been driven. I parked it in my driveway at 9pm on April 15, 2022. I was alerted to a fire in the engine by my neighbor at 10:30am on April 16, 2022. The entire engine was engulfed in flames, melting all of the plastic components. It burned through my hood and affected every part of the engine. We were able to get the fir https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi#complaint-1808337 Wed, 20 Apr 2022 00:00:00 GMT The vehicle's engine caught fire approximately 13 1/2 hours after last having been driven. I parked it in my driveway at 9pm on April 15, 2022. I was alerted to a fire in the engine by my neighbor at 10:30am on April 16, 2022. The entire engine was engulfed in flames, melting all of the plastic components. It burned through my hood and affected every part of the engine. We were able to get the fir https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi#complaint-1657803 Wed, 08 Apr 2020 00:00:00 GMT MY BMW IS A 2008 BMW 535XI THAT WAS MANUFACTURED ON 02/2008. I HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WITH CYLINDER 4 MISFIRING SO I CHANGED ALL 6 SPARK PLUGS AND CYLINDER 4 IGNITION COIL ONLY TO HAVE CYLINDER MISFIRING STILL. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND THEY CHECKED AND STATED THAT I HAD A BAD IGNITION COIL BECAUSE MY SPARK PLUG AND IGNITION COIL SMELLED LIKE FUEL. MY FRIEND IS A TECH AT A LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP AND TO https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi#complaint-1656294 Fri, 27 Mar 2020 00:00:00 GMT TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 535XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE MISFIRED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER BMW OF COLUMBIA LOCATED AT (1900 I70 DR. SW, COLUMBIA MO) WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CYLINDER NUMBER 4 MISFIRE WAS DUE TO DEFECTIVE FUEL INJECTORS. THE FUEL INJECTORS WERE REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NO https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi#complaint-1656295 Fri, 27 Mar 2020 00:00:00 GMT TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 535XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE MISFIRED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER BMW OF COLUMBIA LOCATED AT (1900 I70 DR. SW, COLUMBIA MO) WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CYLINDER NUMBER 4 MISFIRE WAS DUE TO DEFECTIVE FUEL INJECTORS. THE FUEL INJECTORS WERE REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NO https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi#complaint-1620253 Tue, 12 Nov 2019 00:00:00 GMT FOR OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE (SMALL) ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN REPEATEDLY & CONSTANTLY GOING ON/OFF. I'VE HAD SENSORS, SPARK PLUGS, TUBES & EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN REPLACED AND HAVE TAKEN (OR TOWED IN MOST CASES) THE CAR TO MANY DIFFERENT AUTO REPAIR SHOPS FOR MULTIPLE QUOTES & REPAIRS. THE LATEST PROBLEM IS THE SMALL ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON & THE CAR WAS STUCK IN PARK AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN DRIVE OR https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi#complaint-1620254 Tue, 12 Nov 2019 00:00:00 GMT FOR OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE (SMALL) ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN REPEATEDLY & CONSTANTLY GOING ON/OFF. I'VE HAD SENSORS, SPARK PLUGS, TUBES & EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN REPLACED AND HAVE TAKEN (OR TOWED IN MOST CASES) THE CAR TO MANY DIFFERENT AUTO REPAIR SHOPS FOR MULTIPLE QUOTES & REPAIRS. THE LATEST PROBLEM IS THE SMALL ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON & THE CAR WAS STUCK IN PARK AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN DRIVE OR https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi#complaint-1620255 Tue, 12 Nov 2019 00:00:00 GMT FOR OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE (SMALL) ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN REPEATEDLY & CONSTANTLY GOING ON/OFF. I'VE HAD SENSORS, SPARK PLUGS, TUBES & EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN REPLACED AND HAVE TAKEN (OR TOWED IN MOST CASES) THE CAR TO MANY DIFFERENT AUTO REPAIR SHOPS FOR MULTIPLE QUOTES & REPAIRS. THE LATEST PROBLEM IS THE SMALL ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON & THE CAR WAS STUCK IN PARK AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN DRIVE OR https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi#complaint-1577232 Fri, 21 Jun 2019 00:00:00 GMT VEHICLE STALLS, HESITATES WHEN DRIVING. MESSAGE ON THE DASH SAYS THAT THE FUEL PUMP IS FAILING, BUT CAN BE DRIVEN WITH DECREASED PERFORMANCE AND TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO BMW. BROUGHT THE CAR TO BMW SERVICE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP BUT MY CAR IS NOT COVERED BECAUSE I HAVE 159K MILES ONE THE SAID VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION WITH THE SERVICE ADVISOR, (CARLOS https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi#complaint-1564456 Wed, 08 May 2019 00:00:00 GMT 87,000 MILES WARNING LIGHT PASSENGER AIR BAG NOT ENGAGED AND MAY CAUSE DAMAGE. QUOTED $1800 BMW CERTIFIED MECHANIC TO REPLACE, FIX. LOOKING FOR RECALL AS MANY OTHERS EXPERIENCED THE SAME. WAS TOLD THAT YOU CAN'T TELL WHETHER THE AIRBAG WILL INFLATE OR NOT. AGAINST THE LAW TO DISCONNECT THE LIGHT. UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE WITHOUT TAKING THE SEAT APART. https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi#complaint-1564457 Wed, 08 May 2019 00:00:00 GMT 87,000 MILES WARNING LIGHT PASSENGER AIR BAG NOT ENGAGED AND MAY CAUSE DAMAGE. QUOTED $1800 BMW CERTIFIED MECHANIC TO REPLACE, FIX. LOOKING FOR RECALL AS MANY OTHERS EXPERIENCED THE SAME. WAS TOLD THAT YOU CAN'T TELL WHETHER THE AIRBAG WILL INFLATE OR NOT. AGAINST THE LAW TO DISCONNECT THE LIGHT. UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE WITHOUT TAKING THE SEAT APART. https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi#complaint-1564458 Wed, 08 May 2019 00:00:00 GMT 87,000 MILES WARNING LIGHT PASSENGER AIR BAG NOT ENGAGED AND MAY CAUSE DAMAGE. QUOTED $1800 BMW CERTIFIED MECHANIC TO REPLACE, FIX. LOOKING FOR RECALL AS MANY OTHERS EXPERIENCED THE SAME. WAS TOLD THAT YOU CAN'T TELL WHETHER THE AIRBAG WILL INFLATE OR NOT. AGAINST THE LAW TO DISCONNECT THE LIGHT. UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE WITHOUT TAKING THE SEAT APART. https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi#complaint-1549792 Tue, 19 Mar 2019 00:00:00 GMT FRONT HEADLIGHTS BUILDS UP CONDENSATION AND ALOT OF WATER. LOWERING VISIBILITY. https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi#complaint-1537616 Thu, 07 Feb 2019 00:00:00 GMT 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. https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi#complaint-1537617 Thu, 07 Feb 2019 00:00:00 GMT 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. https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi#complaint-1537618 Thu, 07 Feb 2019 00:00:00 GMT 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. https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi#complaint-1535004 Tue, 29 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 535XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. AN UNKNOWN DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS HUNG UP ON. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi#complaint-1531555 Tue, 15 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT MY CAR HAS 76,000 MILES ON IT AND THE ERROR POPPED UP ON THE MAIN SCREEN OF " "PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION." IT ADVISED ME TO TAKE THE CAR TO A SERVICE CENTER WHICH I DID. BMW OF WICHITA DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AS THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY QUOTED ME $2,500 TO FIX THE ISSUE AND I ASKED THEM IF THIS WAS BECAUSE OF DAMAGE OR ABUSE BY THE OWNER AND THEY SAID NO https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi#complaint-1531556 Tue, 15 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT MY CAR HAS 76,000 MILES ON IT AND THE ERROR POPPED UP ON THE MAIN SCREEN OF " "PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION." IT ADVISED ME TO TAKE THE CAR TO A SERVICE CENTER WHICH I DID. BMW OF WICHITA DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AS THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY QUOTED ME $2,500 TO FIX THE ISSUE AND I ASKED THEM IF THIS WAS BECAUSE OF DAMAGE OR ABUSE BY THE OWNER AND THEY SAID NO https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi#complaint-1531557 Tue, 15 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT MY CAR HAS 76,000 MILES ON IT AND THE ERROR POPPED UP ON THE MAIN SCREEN OF " "PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION." IT ADVISED ME TO TAKE THE CAR TO A SERVICE CENTER WHICH I DID. BMW OF WICHITA DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AS THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY QUOTED ME $2,500 TO FIX THE ISSUE AND I ASKED THEM IF THIS WAS BECAUSE OF DAMAGE OR ABUSE BY THE OWNER AND THEY SAID NO https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi#complaint-1527693 Tue, 01 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT WATER CONDENSES INSIDE THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS IMPACTING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE LIGHTING SSYSTEM. REPORTED THIS WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW BUT WAS TOLD IT WAS NORMAL. SINCE THEN I HAVE FOUND MANY OTHERS REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi#complaint-1523495 Thu, 13 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMT KNOWN SAFETY CONCERN DUE TO BROKEN WIRING IN E61 WAGON HATCH WIRING. SEE THIS THREAD: HTTPS://5SERIES.NET/FORUMS/E61-TOURING-DISCUSSION-4/TAILGATE-WIRING-HARNESS-REPLACEMENT-72751/ https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi#complaint-1523496 Thu, 13 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMT KNOWN SAFETY CONCERN DUE TO BROKEN WIRING IN E61 WAGON HATCH WIRING. SEE THIS THREAD: HTTPS://5SERIES.NET/FORUMS/E61-TOURING-DISCUSSION-4/TAILGATE-WIRING-HARNESS-REPLACEMENT-72751/ https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-535xi#complaint-1523497 Thu, 13 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMT KNOWN SAFETY CONCERN DUE TO BROKEN WIRING IN E61 WAGON HATCH WIRING. SEE THIS THREAD: HTTPS://5SERIES.NET/FORUMS/E61-TOURING-DISCUSSION-4/TAILGATE-WIRING-HARNESS-REPLACEMENT-72751/