BMW 535I Problems by Year
NHTSA has 473 owner complaints and 10 safety recalls on file for the BMW 535I, across 11 model years (1995–2017). The 2011 model year has the most complaints (112). The most reported problem area overall is engine.
BMW 535I years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical 535I year: 2011. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2011 535I: 112 complaints, 4 recalls
- 2008 535I: 74 complaints, 1 recall
- 2009 535I: 71 complaints, 1 recall
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2016 535I: 12 complaints, 2 recalls
- 2015 535I: 23 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2014 535I: 30 complaints, 2 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common BMW 535I problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine problems | 129 | 8 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion System problems | 107 | 8 | 3 |
| Electrical System | 78 | 8 | 5 |
| Power Train | 44 | 7 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 43 | 9 | 4 |
| Exterior Lighting | 43 | 8 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 37 | 5 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 26 | 8 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 19 | 6 | 3 |
| Seat Belts | 18 | 7 | 0 |
| Steering | 15 | 7 | 1 |
| Tires | 15 | 8 | 0 |
| Suspension | 13 | 7 | 0 |
| Wheels | 13 | 5 | 0 |
| Structure | 12 | 6 | 2 |
| Seats | 10 | 6 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Visibility/wiper | 9 | 7 | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 6 | 5 | 2 |
| Visibility | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Child Seat | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All BMW 535I model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 535I | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2016 535I | 12 | 2 | — | Air Bags | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2015 535I | 23 | 0 | 5★ | Electrical System | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2014 535I | 30 | 2 | 5★ | Engine | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2013 535I | 39 | 1 | 5★ | Electrical System | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2012 535I | 54 | 1 | 5★ | Fuel/propulsion System | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2011 535I | 112 | 4 | 5★ | Engine | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2010 535I | 58 | 1 | — | Fuel/propulsion System | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2009 535I | 71 | 1 | — | Fuel/propulsion System | More complaints than other years |
| 2008 535I | 74 | 1 | — | Engine | More complaints than other years |
| 1995 535I | 0 | 1 | — | — |
More from BMW: all BMW models · BMW VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which BMW 535I years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2011 (112) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical 535I year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the BMW 535I?
Engine, with 129 complaints across 8 model years.
How many recalls does the BMW 535I have?
10 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.