Every 2011 BMW 535I recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Power Train · NHTSA 17V067000
Feb 2, 2017Power Train:Driveline:Constant Velocity Joint
- Problem
- 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.
- 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 recall details for 17V067000 →Air Bags · NHTSA 16V832000
Nov 17, 2016Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module-Inactive
- Problem
- 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.
- 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 recall details for 16V832000 →Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA 16V746000
Oct 17, 2016Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
- Problem
- 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.
- 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 recall details for 16V746000 →Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA 14V176000
Oct 4, 2014Engine and Engine Cooling:Engine
- Problem
- 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.
- 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 recall details for 14V176000 →
2011 BMW 535I complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 150 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 BMW 535I, reporting 5 crashes, 6 fires, 8 injuries. BMW has issued at least 354 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Engine43
- Fuel/Propulsion System36
- Tires22
- Electrical System20
- Power Train20
- Wheels11
Service bulletins by component
- Equipment (295)
- Electrical System (248)
- Engine (180)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (104)
- Fuel System, Gasoline (86)
- Equipment Adaptive/Mobility (78)
Read BMW 535I owner complaints and bulletins, every year
What people reported
Owners have filed 150 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 BMW 535I. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Injury reportedCrash
“The contact owned a 2011 BMW 535I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, however the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal became stuck. No warning lights were illuminated.”
2011 BMW 535IMar 3, 2026 · NV
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11721737
“I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS. 1. BOTH HEAD LIGHTS BECAME FILLED WITH CONDENSATION/WATER. I TOOK IT TO A BMW DEALERSHIP. THEY PERFORMED A BMW DIAGNOSIS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE MOST LIKELY CASE WAS THE COLD AIR. THEY CHECKED FOR EXCESS AIR LEAKS IN BOTH HEAD LIGHTS BUT DID NOT FIND EXCESS AIR LEAKS.”
2011 BMW 535I USMay 29, 2019
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11210575
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535I GRAN TURISMO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PANORAMIC SUN ROOF SHADE FAILED TO RETRACT WHEN OPENED. THE SHADE HUNG DOWN AND OBSTRUCTED THE CONTACT'S VIEW WHEN LOOKING THROUGH THE REARVIEW MIRROR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED.”
2011 BMW 535I GRAN TURISMOJul 26, 2016
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 10888788
Injury reported
“The contact owns a 2011 BMW 535i. The contact stated that when pressing the accelerator pedal to drive from being idle at a red light, the driver's side air bag deployed out of the steering wheel without impact. The contact sustained burns to the left arm, right cheek, and chest area.”
2011 BMW 535IAug 21, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11682140
“MY BMW HAS ABOUT 75K MILES ON IT. I WAS DRIVING IT ONE DAY AFTER WORK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY. CAR DID NOT SHUT DOWN OR ANYTHING BUT LOSS OF POWER, IT'S LIKE MY VEHICLE WENT INTO NEUTRAL GEAR, I STEPPED ON THE GAS AND THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE.”
2011 BMW 535I USJan 8, 2018
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11061260
Check your 535I by VIN
Not every 2011 BMW 535I is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any BMW dealer.
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