KnownCarProblems2013 BMW 535i Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 39 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 BMW 535i, most often about the electrical (33% of complaints, typically around 11,000 miles). It is 6th of 9 535i model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2013 BMW 535i problems
Electrical
13 complaints · 33%Half of these problems showed up before 11,000 miles.
At the time of purchase I was told that the first tune up would be due at 10,000 miles. Therefore I schedule an appointment for service, hover when I brought it in the first time at 10,000 miles I was told there was no need for tune up that the computer would display a message telling me when to service it. One week…
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 535i. The vehicle stalled and the steering failed without warning when the contact depressed the brake pedal. The contact could not stop the vehicle from rolling down a hill. The dealer was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The…
Engine
11 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 4,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 535i. The contact stated that while driving 3 MPH through two inches of water, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer for diagnosis. The contact was informed that the engine had hydro-locked and would need to be replaced. The…
While driving on the free way my brand new 535i had a drivetrain malfunction and the check engine light came on while losing power and slowing down all while shaking. Pushing the accelerator the car would not gain speed. When I called BMW they said to stop at the nearest BMW dealership which I did. After exiting the…
Lights
8 complaints · 21%Earlier this year, water was noticed in the front left headlight. Dealer notified me that a seal was broken and the unit needed to be replaced ($2500+). 2 weeks later, the front right headlight did the exact same thing. Vehicle is approx. 4.5 years old with 55k miles. Shop foreman told me this particular model is…
Water and moisture is accumulating in both headlights when it rains causing them not to function properly. This has been happening for a couple of years. I've contacted the manufacture and was advised that they would not take action as the vehicles is no longer under warranty. I have two other cars that much older and…
Air bags
5 complaints · 13%The contact owns a 2013 BMW 535i. While driving 45 MPH, the contact noticed that the air bag warning indicator was illuminated, which was a safety concern. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was taken to leith BMW (5603 capital blvd, raleigh, nc 27616, ([phone]) where the contact was informed that the vehicle…
Fuel system
3 complaints · 8%While driving on the free way my brand new 535i had a drivetrain malfunction and the check engine light came on while losing power and slowing down all while shaking. Pushing the accelerator the car would not gain speed. When I called BMW they said to stop at the nearest BMW dealership which I did. After exiting the…
Once again nearly a month after my 2013 535i had its high pressure fuel pump replaced by BMW. The car decides to lose all power and not want to accelerate again while traveling on the freeway. The check engine light and drivetrain malfunction lights came on and the vehicle began shaking and sputtering. This car is not…
Wheels and tires
3 complaints · 8%Goodyear 245-40r-19 tires on my 2013 BMW 535xi are defective. At 11k miles, I had to replace one tire and then at 15k I had to replace another due to side wall "bubbling". Dealer informed me this happens frequently with these tires and there "is nothing BMW or goodyear" will do for the consumer. Goodyear discontinued…
Suspension
3 complaints · 8%Air suspension. Car leaned left after sitting, but the air spring pumped up on vehicle start-up. Car was taken to the dealer, who identified a leaking left rear air suspension spring. Identified technical bulletin (si b37 01 15) noting faulty installation during assembly. The bulleting recommends replacing left air…
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 535i. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, an abnormal clicking sound was coming from the passengerâs side of the vehicle. Soon after hearing the noise, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the passengerâs side cv joint was…
Other or unspecified
3 complaints · 8%Drive shaft is hitting the transmission and the tire sensors keep popping up and sweat belt is malfunctioning. The vehicle was in motion when these things occurred.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2013 BMW 535i recalls
Lights: exterior lighting
Risk: The vehicle may be less visible to other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear reflex reflectors, free of charge. The recall began july 28, 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 2013 528i, 528i xdrive, 535i, 535i xdrive, 550i, 550i xdrive, and activehybrid 5 vehicles. The rear reflex reflectors may not reflect enough light. As such, the vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
Summary
Nhtsa received a petition on or about july 18, 2022, requesting that federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the united states. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under odi number 11486072. Fmvss 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kg or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after march 1, 2021.on january 27, 2023, NHTSA opened defect petition (dp) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt
Questions about the 2013 BMW 535i
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 BMW 535i?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (13 complaints, typically around 11,000 miles); engine (11 complaints, typically around 4,000 miles); lights (8 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2013 BMW 535i have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from March 31, 2015 (lights). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2013 a bad year for the BMW 535i?
- It is 6th of 9 535i model years by number of complaints, with 39 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.