Complaints by model year
Each bar is one model year. Highlighted: 2011. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026
Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 535i | 0 | 1 |
| 2016 535i | 12 | 2 |
| 2015 535i | 23 | 0 |
| 2014 535i | 30 | 2 |
| 2013 535i | 39 | 1 |
| 2012 535i | 54 | 1 |
| 2011 535iMost complaints | 112 | 4 |
| 2010 535i | 58 | 1 |
| 2009 535i | 71 | 1 |
| 2008 535i | 74 | 1 |
| 1995 | 0 | 1 |
| 1994 | 2 | 1 |
| 1993 | 0 | 1 |
| 1992 | 3 | 3 |
| 1991 535i | 5 | 3 |
| 1990 | 2 | 2 |
| 1989 | 6 | 1 |
| 1988 | 1 | 0 |
| 1987 | 0 | 0 |
| 1986 | 1 | 0 |
| 1985 | 0 | 0 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Engine129
- Fuel/propulsion system107
- Electrical system79
- Air bags46
- Power train45
- Exterior lighting43
- Fuel system, gasoline37
- Engine and engine cooling36
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 98 535i vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died, and 42 people died inside them. These are counts, not crash rates: a model with more cars on the road shows up more often, and people killed outside the vehicle are not counted here.
| Model year | Vehicles in fatal crashes | Deaths in the vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 1 |
| 2016 | 7 | 2 |
| 2015 | 6 | 3 |
| 2014 | 17 | 9 |
| 2013 | 18 | 5 |
| 2012 | 8 | 6 |
| 2011 | 20 | 11 |
| 2010 | 6 | 1 |
| 2009 | 5 | 2 |
| 2008 | 8 | 1 |
| 1991 | 1 | 0 |
| 1989 | 1 | 1 |
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain) · how we count
Crash-test ratings by year
NHTSA 5-star results for 5 model-year variants; 5 of 5 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Year | Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 2015 BMW 535 I 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | 9.3 % |
| 2014 | 2014 BMW 535 I 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | 9.3 % |
| 2013 | 2013 BMW 535 I 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | 9.3 % |
| 2012 | 2012 BMW 535 I 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | 9.3 % |
| 2011 | 2011 BMW 535 I 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | 9.3 % |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption by year
Official Canadian test results for 9 model years, best variant per year. Combined consumption ranges from 9.6–11.8 L/100 km.
| Year | Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 535i xDrive · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 11.9 | 8.1 | 10.2 |
| 2015 | 535i xDrive Sedan · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 12.1 | 8.1 | 10.3 |
| 2014 | 535i xDrive · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 11.9 | 8.0 | 10.1 |
| 2013 | 535i xDrive · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 11.2 | 7.9 | 9.7 |
| 2012 | 535i xDrive · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 11.1 | 7.9 | 9.6 |
| 2011 | 535i · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 11.5 | 7.8 | 9.8 |
| 2010 | 535i xDrive · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 13.6 | 9.4 | 11.7 |
| 2009 | 535i xDrive Sedan · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 13.7 | 9.4 | 11.8 |
| 2008 | 535i · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 13.4 | 9.0 | 11.4 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
12 campaigns cover the 535i.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2015 6 Series Gran Coupe, 2014 5 Series Gran Turismo, 2014 5 Series Sedan, 2015 6 Series Convertible, 2015 6 Series Coupe, 2014 X5, 2013-2014 X3, 2014-2015 3 Series Sedan, 2014 4 Series Coupe, 2014 4 Series Convertible, 2014 3 Series Gran Turismo, and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. Please see the recall report for the complete list of models. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
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.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2017 BMW 640i, 640i xDrive, 650i, 650i xDrive, M6, 535i, 535i xDrive, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, i3, i8, Rolls-Royce Dawn, Mini Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Cooper All4, Cooper S All4, Mini 4-Door Cooper, Cooper S, Mini 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works and 2016 BMW 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, M5 and 535d vehicles. The affected vehicles have seat- mounted side air bag inflator initiators that may fail to ignite during a crash.
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.
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.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535d xDrive, M5, 550i, 550i xDrive, and 535d sedans. The affected vehicles have an inboard lower anchor for child restraints on the left rear seat that may have been bent downwards, preventing the child seat from fully engaging both lower anchors. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
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."
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.
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 528i, 535i, 550i, and M5 passenger cars manufactured from March 1, 2007, through December 31, 2009. Over time, increased resistance at the taillight electrical contact points may cause damage to the ground terminal and housing of the connector resulting in an intermittent or permanent loss of functionality of one or more rear lamp functions (tail, brake, turn-signal, reverse).
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT, SUCH AS A THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, OR FAN BELT, CAN RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND SYSTEM PRESSURE. IF THE INDICATIONS OF A CRITICAL OVERHEATING CONDITION IS NOT NOTICED BY THE DRIVER, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT DAMAGE TO, OR FAILURE OF, A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT COULD OCCUR.
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAN FAIL ALLOWING THE SWITCH TO REMAIN IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS ON" POSITION.
THE AIR BAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB LOCATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAN BREAK WITHOUT WARNING.
NHTSA recalls