NHTSA Data Explorer

BMW 535xi

Data refreshed October 26, 2026

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

Complaints

250

Active records

Recalls

5

Active records

TSBs

137

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

4

Crashes

1

Fires

11

Top reported issues — BMW 535xi

Click a category to expand its values.

Performance issue

83

Engine behavior

79

Reporting mechanism

76

Operating state

70

Condition issue

65

Thermal issue

42

Safety restraint issue

27

Vibration/harshness

21

Electrical issue

19

Lighting behavior

15

Fluid issue

13

Noise

13

Starting behavior

9

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

9

Steering behavior

6

Access/entry issue

5

Braking behavior

4

Driver assistance issue

3

Powering on/off behavior

3

Recent change

3

Ride/handling behavior

3

Safety restraint behavior

2

Smell

2

Wiper/washer behavior

2

Communication/network issue

1

Infotainment behavior

1

Recent filings

The 10 most recent filings for each type.

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…

2008 BMW 535XI

Filed Aug 28, 2024


Car is over heating. Replace water pump and thermostat. Car still over heating. Bad water pumps.

2008 BMW 535XI

Filed May 27, 2024


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

2008 BMW 535I

Filed Jul 1, 2023


here is wisdom; traffic circles; eliminate collisions 98% cut pollution fossil fuels & signal electricity 98%; cut manhour prevailing wages 98% employee med sick vac and retirement 98% and equipment maintenance 98% yes 98% of wasted taxpayer revenue allotted to traffic signal intersections can begin to be wasted elsewhere for polititians hold fast to unearned income , a revelation uncle sams ears might be pricked or at least itch !!!! almighty saved the best for last MOTHER NATURE yes BLUE…

2008 BMW 535XI

Filed Feb 20, 2023


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 prohibit emergency opening and access to spare tire and fuses. I have already spent $3,000 on one…

2008 BMW 535XI

Filed May 6, 2022


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 passenger seat is rarely occupied. Why should this part fail prematurely?

2008 BMW 535XI

Filed Apr 20, 2022


Fire

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 fire out with a garden hose before it spread to the house and my parents' two other vehicles parked…

2008 BMW 535I

Filed Oct 2, 2021


The vehicle front passenger seat sensor MAT (SRS) failure. This is a safety-related issue. The same item was recalled for prior years' models. A recall should issued be for this model and and year.

2008 BMW 535I

Filed Feb 24, 2021


HPFP IS GOING BAD ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON LONG CRANK START

2008 BMW 535I

Filed Nov 4, 2020


Fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, WHEN WARNING MESSAGE OF ENGINE HOT AND DRIVE MODERATELY WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUCTIONAL PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PARK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEN SAW SMOKE EXITING THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE HOOD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A BOTTLE OF WATER SHE HAD IN HAND. NO FIRE OR POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS CURRENTLY WAITING TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE.…

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

Updated October 26, 2026. Refreshed nightly.