NHTSA Data Explorer

BMW 535i

Data refreshed October 26, 2026

Select a model year to filter results to that year of the BMW 535i.

Complaints

738

Active records

Recalls

26

Active records

TSBs

625

Active records

Filing history

Monthly totals over the last 20 years. Click a legend item to show or hide that series.

Reported severity

Based on consumer complaints filed since 2000. Recalls and TSBs do not include severity data.

Deaths

0

Injuries

19

Crashes

24

Fires

25

Top reported issues — BMW 535i

Click a category to expand its values.

Condition issue

236

Operating state

209

Engine behavior

196

Performance issue

173

Reporting mechanism

166

Thermal issue

72

Safety restraint issue

58

Vibration/harshness

49

Fluid issue

46

Noise

45

Electrical issue

32

Ride/handling behavior

32

Lighting behavior

30

Access/entry issue

26

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

22

Powering on/off behavior

20

Starting behavior

20

Steering behavior

20

Smell

19

Braking behavior

13

Safety restraint behavior

9

Driver assistance issue

8

Recent change

6

HVAC behavior

5

Infotainment behavior

4

Communication/network issue

2

Wiper/washer behavior

1

Recent filings

The 10 most recent filings for each type.

2013 BMW 535I

Filed Oct 12, 2026


UKNOWN EXACT PROBLEM. 2013 BMW 535i with the same N55 motor with the [XXX] recall. Similar symptoms: Drivetrain malfunction and camshaft stuck code with loud metallic clanking in upper front of engine bay. Incident happened at rough 5-10mph pulling out of a parking lot just at 160,000 miles. Oil spilling everywhere and car was losing power. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

2015 BMW 535I

Filed Apr 30, 2026


Tire Size 245-40-19 - Car 2015 BMW 535 x-drive During a trip from [XXX] to [XXX] the the Continental ProContact SSR MOE tires on both the drivers and passinger side front developed sidewall bubbles. The tires had less than 3500 miles on them. The tires were purchase through the local BMW Dealer, A&L Motors, in Pennsylvania. I had a bubble develop on another Continental Pro Contact MOE a year ago but I wasn't worried about that due to the tire having over 35,000 miles. In XX years of car…

2011 BMW 535I

Filed Apr 20, 2026


ValveTronic motor and eccentric shaft is a very common issue that my specific car has. Affects the timing and makes a loud sound. Dangerous to drive in this condition.

2011 BMW 535I

Filed Mar 3, 2026


1 injured
Crash

The contact owned a 2011 BMW 535I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, however the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal became stuck. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated into oncoming traffic. The contact's vehicle was crashed into by two oncoming vehicles. No warning light. The contact was taken to the local medical center, where the…

2014 BMW 535I

Filed Mar 2, 2026


This is a known and unaddressed issue. BMW headlight seals fail allowing condensation to build and erode electronics. Replacement costs exceed $15K and only OEM parts and BMW servicing are options. Many BMW repair shops refuse to do this work as it is overly complicated and expensive. This issue is well known and document and warrants compensation and/or recall.

2014 BMW 535I

Filed Jan 21, 2026


1 injured
Crash

The BMW, while turning at low speed into a parking space, suddenly accelerated and the braking system failed. Airbags deployed after multiple impacts with other vehicles and a fixed object, causing serious personal injury for the driver. The incident occurred on 01/16/2026. The vehicle is a total loss, has not yet been inspected, and is in storage. No warning lamps, messages or other issues were displayed or known prior to the failure. The vehicle was regularly maintained. The incident did…

2014 BMW 535I

Filed Jan 12, 2026


Crash

The contact owns a 2014 BMW 535i. The contact stated that while driving in stop-and-go traffic, she depressed the brake pedal, however crashed into the rear of the vehicle in front of her. The contact stated that all three air bags deployed; however, the front driver-side air bag failed to deploy properly. The contact stated that smoke came out from the air bag and failed to fully inflate, not protect the contact. Neither the contact nor the driver of the other vehicle sustained any injuries. A…

2013 BMW 535I

Filed Nov 19, 2025


Fire

My 2013 BMW 535i (VIN [XXX] ) caught fire spontaneously while parked, turned off, and unoccupied on 11/18/2025 in Westbury, NY. A passerby saw smoke and called 911. Nassau County Police and the Westbury Fire Department responded. Firefighters informed me at the scene that the fire was mechanical in origin. The vehicle was completely off and had been parked for about 20 minutes. I was not in or near the car. The fire originated under the hood. This matches known fire patterns in BMW 5-series…

2008 BMW 5 SERIES

Filed Nov 5, 2025


My vehicle had a faulty PCV valve that was under Stop Drive, order. I received no correspondence from the NHTSA nor from BMW of North America in regards to this. My BMW X-5 had significant issues that are directly associated with this issue. After contacting BMW of North America directly because I could not reach anyone at my nearest BMW Service Department, it was escalated twice to attempt to arrange for my vehicle that I unknowingly continued to drive. My vehicle has sat undriven since May…

2012 BMW 535I

Filed Oct 28, 2025


BMW N63 Engine Powertrain Issues 2012 535i The N63 engine, utilized in various BMW models including the 2012 535i, has been subject to multiple customer complaints regarding premature timing chain wear and other powertrain-related issues. This led BMW to introduce a Customer Care Package, detailed in Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) B110614, to address the concerns reported by multiple owners and noted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) under ID Number 11016414. A…

Data sourced from NHTSA's public datasets. Issue classifications are generated by Repair Surge. About this data.

Updated October 26, 2026. Refreshed nightly.