BMW 535XI Problems by Year
BMW 535XI years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical 535XI year: 2008, 2011. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2008 535XI: 71 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2011 535XI: 35 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2012 535XI: 18 complaints, 0 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2007 535XI: 1 complaint, 0 recalls
- 2013 535XI: 4 complaints, 1 recall
- 2010 535XI: 15 complaints, 0 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 535XI problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 30 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine | 26 | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 24 | 4 | 0 |
| Power Train | 18 | 4 | 0 |
| Tires | 18 | 3 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 17 | 4 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 14 | 3 | 0 |
| Wheels | 13 | 3 | 0 |
| Seats | 9 | 3 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 5 | 4 | 1 |
| Structure | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All BMW 535XI model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 535XI | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2013 535XI | 4 | 1 | — | Engine | |
| 2012 535XI | 18 | 0 | — | Tires | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2011 535XI | 35 | 0 | — | Tires | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2010 535XI | 15 | 0 | — | Electrical System | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2008 535XI | 71 | 0 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2007 535XI | 1 | 0 | — | Service Brakes |
More from BMW: all BMW models · BMW VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which BMW 535XI years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2008 (71), 2011 (35) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical 535XI 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 535XI?
Electrical System, with 30 complaints across 2 model years.
How many recalls does the BMW 535XI have?
1 safety recall across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.