Recalls
Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.
No recalls on record for this model
No safety recalls were found in this dataset. It is still worth entering the exact VIN on NHTSA before purchase, since recalls can be added at any time.
Owner complaints by system
Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.
Engine & powertrain
11
Most reports here involve sudden stalling.
Read full complaint
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. (SEE ATTACHED STATEMENT) THEY ALSO REPLACED A GASKET, OIL FILTER HOUSING. THE OIL FILTER HOUSING WAS ALLOWING OIL TO LEAK OUT FROM THE ENGINE 5.8. THEY PERFORMED REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF THE OIL FILTER HOUSING GASKET AND WASHED DOWN THE ENGINE OF THE OIL RESIDUE. THE INCIDENTS WERE DIAGNOSED AND REPLACE ACCORDINGLY ON JAN. 24. 2019. JUST RECENTLY, ABOUT 5 DAYS AGO TODAY, MY CAR STARTED MAKING A WEIRD LOUD NOISE LIKE A GARBAGE TRUCK MAKES WHEN IT GOES FROM STOP TO STOP. IT MADE THAT SOUND WHEN DRIVING, AS WELL AS WHEN PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. AT THE SAME TIME, I WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO OPEN MY TRUCK WITH NEITHER THE INSIDE BUTTON OR MY KEYS. I TOOK MY CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP THAT WAS CLOSE BY. THE OWNER USED TO WORK FOR BMW SERVICE CENTER AS A MECHANIC BEFORE STARTING HIS OWN BUSINESS. STRANGELY, THE CAR DID NOT MAKE THE SOUND IN HIS PRESENCE ALTHOUGH IT WAS LEFT RUNNING. I LEFT HIS SHOP AND WAS HEADING HOME WHEN SUDDENLY I GOT A RED ERROR MESSAGE WARNING ME THAT THE ENGINE HAD OVER HEATED AND THAT I SHOULD DRIVE SLOWLY AND/OR PULL OVER AS OVER HEATING COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. THE MESSAGE ALSO SAID THE VEHICLE NEEDED COOLANT. I PURCHASE THE COOLANT ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL, BUT THE CAR OVERHEATED ONCE AGAIN WHEN I BEGAN TO DRIVE IT. I ALLOWED IT TO COOL DOWN AND DROVE IT HOME. I POPPED THE HOOD AFTER IT COOL DOWN AGAIN AND NOTICED A GREASY/OILY DARK BROWN SUBSTANCE IN COOLANT/RADIATOR HOLE. FROM WHAT I READ, IT'S A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. I ONLY HAVE 74963 MILES ON MY 2011 535I BMW. ALL SERVICES ARE UP TO DATE. MY NEXT SERVICE ISN'T DUE FOR 4000 MILES 03/2020 *AS INVALID VIN *JB
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11210575 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Electrical & infotainment
3
Most reports here involve electrical shorts.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11043149 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Steering, suspension & tires
22
Most reports here involve premature wear.
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535I US. WHILE DRIVING OVER 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE CONTACT REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO BRING THE SPEED DOWN TO 30 MPH, BUT THE SHAKING BECAME AGGRESSIVE. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE SHAKING CONTINUED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT HE HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE WHEELS, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE IF IT WAS THE FRONT OR REAR WHEELS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,712.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11015366 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov