KnownCarProblems2011 BMW 535i Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 112 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 BMW 535i, most often about the engine (37% of complaints, typically around 92,000 miles). It is the most complained-about 535i model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2011 BMW 535i problems
Engine
41 complaints · 37%Half of these problems showed up before 92,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 535i. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a complete loss of power and could not be operated. The failure occurred without warning. The contact found that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14v176000 (engine and engine cooling). The dealer refused to repair the…
2011 535xi with 95,000 miles was serviced and passed all inspections, less than 700 miles later engine starts making a knocking sound while driving. Immediately stopped and towed to dealer where they found metallic shavings in oil filter. Said engine needed to be replaced at a cost of $36,591 but offered no cause for…
Fuel system
35 complaints · 31%Half of these problems showed up before 78,000 miles.
My vehicle recently had the lo pressure fuel pump recall completed. I was hoping that it would correct the fuel related diagnostic trouble codes and the vehicle stalling and going into reduced power mode. However, this recall failed to correct these problems. I have now learned that my high pressure fuel pump is…
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 535i. While the vehicle was at a traffic light, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer located on 43 north ave, bridgeport, ct 06606, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received…
Electrical
17 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles.
I was driving about 40 MPH and my car just died on the street and chassis stabilization light came on.. Had to restart car 7-8 times to be able to move inside parking lot.
Lighting system malfunction appeared on the dashboard during 1st week of april 2020. It affected battery consumption, turn indicators, window controls, headlight controls, lock/unlock confirmation... The dealership suggested faulty footwell module needs replacement, cost approx. $1323+tax. A warranty extension…
Transmission
17 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 103,500 miles.
Drivetrain malfunction -driving on hwy when error was displayed and car shutdown in on me and would not start back up -dealership stated they replaced the fuel pump -issue happened again -while driving - under 3000 miles later - same error codes of low pressure - car hesitant to crank and studdering on low speeds-…
Drive train malfunction light comes on from time to time. Message: "dirvetrain malfunction; maximum output not available." loss of power. Told by dealer service department (otto's BMW) to stop car and turn it on again. It runs just fine after this is done. But intermittent loss of power while driving on the highway is…
Other or unspecified
8 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 76,000 miles.
Driving I hear this loud noise coming from up under my hood .this noise is so loud its like the fan is idling up at for bout 5 seconds ,in other words its over heating .
My wife went to get a haircut, parked her 2011 BMW 535xi AWD at approximately 1:30 p.m. Mst (the engine was turned off and the car was locked) in the retail center parking lot. At approximately 2:45 p.m. Mst someone entered the salon and said a car was on fire (her car). The fire appears to have been in the back side…
Wheels and tires
7 complaints · 6%While driving my 2011 BMW 535i on the interstate, on a construction zone, at 11:00 pm, I hit a pot hole with my front driver side tire. Almost immediately noticed front end vibration. Pulled over, did not notice damage to the wheel/ tire and continued driving until arrived at home without tire pressure monitoring…
6 tires in less than a 3 year period have failed. Some have bubbled. Two have gone flat. One failed on the highway at 65mph. This seems to be a particular problem with the goodyear runflat tires on the 19 inch rims on this vehicle. Small potholes are unavoidable on massachusetts roadways. Some of the incidents…
Speed control
6 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 69,500 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
I was driving about 40 MPH and my car just died on the street and chassis stabilization light came on.. Had to restart car 7-8 times to be able to move inside parking lot.
Acceleration delay from a stationary position due to turbo lag. Vehicle demonstrates severe throttle lag response. It is a safety issue when you are required to call on quick response to driving.
Air bags
5 complaints · 5%In may, 2014 I was driving at approximately 50 miles per hour on the old valdosta highway when a school bus ran a stop sign and t-boned me on the drivers side and none of the airbags deployed.
The SRS passenger malfunction light is turning on. I've notified BMW and have shown them that there is an open recall on my car but they have refused to acknowledge my car has been affected.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2011 BMW 535i recalls
Transmission: constant velocity joint
Risk: If the cv joint breaks, the vehicle may have a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear driveshaft cv joint and, based on its production date, will replace it, free of charge. The recall began april 21, 2017. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2011-2012 135i coupe, 1 series m coupe and 135i convertible vehicles, 2011 z4 sdrive 35i, 335i, 335d, 335i coupe, 335is coupe, 335i convertible, 335is convertible, 535i, 535i xdrive, 535i gran turismo and 550i xdrive gran turismo vehicles and 2012 740i and 740li vehicles. The rear driveshaft constant velocity (cv) joint on the affected vehicles may fatigue and break.
Air bags: sensor/control module-inactive
Risk: Depending on the severity of the crash, inadequate activation of the driver and/or passenger air bags, safety belt pre-tensioners and active head restraints may increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the scu, free of charge. The recall began on december 16, 2016. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain model year 2011 bmw 528i, 528xi, 535i, 535xi, 550i and 550xi vehicles manufactured march 1, 2010, through august 31, 2011. The affected vehicles may have received a replacement sensor cluster unit (scu) during a service visit. These scus have an acceleration sensor that may have been incorrectly programmed and, as a result, the scu may not accurately determine if activation and deployment of the air bags, safety belt pre-tensioners and head restraints is necessary in the event of a crash.
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: The loose wires may cause the connector to melt, resulting in a fuel leak. Additionally, the fuel pump may stop working, possibly causing an engine stall and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. The recall began february 2017. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 bmw x5 3.0si, x5 4.8i, x5 m, x5 xdrive30i, x5 xdrive35i, x5 xdrive48i and x5 xdrive50i, 2008-2011 x6 x drive35i, x6 xdrive50i and x6 m, 2010-2011 x6 activehybrid, 535i xdrive gran turismo, 535i gran turismo, 550i xdrive gran turismo and 550i gran turismo, 2011-2012 528i, 535i, 535i xdrive, 550i and 550i xdrive and 2012 535i activehybrid, 640i convertible, 650i convertible, 650i xdrive convertible, 650i coupe and 650i coupe xdrive vehicles. The affected vehicles have in-tank fuel pumps that may have insufficiently crimped wire contacts.
Engine
Risk: If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four vanos housing bolts for both vanos units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 bmw vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. The recall began on september 24, 2014. Owners may contact bmw at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i coupe, 128i convertible, 328i sedan, 328i xdrive sedan, 328i coupe, 328i convertible, 328i sports wagon and z4 sdrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i coupe, 135i convertible, 335i sedan, x5 xdrive 35i, and x6 xdrive 35i, 2011 335i xdrive sedan, 335i coupe, 335i convertible, 528i sedan, 535i sedan, 535i xdrive sedan, x3 xdrive 28i, and x3 xdrive 35i, 2010 x3 xdrive 30i, and x5 xdrive 30i, 2012 640i coupe, and 640i convertible and 2010-2012 535i gran turismo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (vanos) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2011 BMW 535i
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 BMW 535i?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (41 complaints, typically around 92,000 miles); fuel system (35 complaints, typically around 78,000 miles); electrical (17 complaints, typically around 69,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2011 BMW 535i have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 2, 2017 (transmission). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2011 a bad year for the BMW 535i?
- It is the most complained-about 535i model year since 2000, with 112 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.