Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2010 BMW 535i, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Fuel/propulsion system19
- Fuel system, gasoline14
- Engine11
- Electrical system7
- Engine and engine cooling5
- Air bags5
- Seat belts3
- Exterior lighting2
- Power train2
- Unknown or other1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 2 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 6 2010 535i vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 1 person died inside them, and 1 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 4 variants: combined 11.7–12.8 L/100 km (about 18–20 mpg US), CO₂ 269–294 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 535i xDrive · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 13.6 | 9.4 | 11.7 |
| 535i xDrive · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 13.8 | 9.4 | 11.8 |
| 535i xDrive Touring · Station wagon: Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 14.4 | 9.7 | 12.3 |
| 535i xDrive Touring · Station wagon: Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 15.1 | 10.1 | 12.8 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
13V407000 · Exterior lighting11 Sept 2013 · 134,100 vehicles
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).
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What BMW told its dealers about the 2010 BMW 535i: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10249437 | The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met. |
| 10249027 | The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle discharged battery complaints. |
| 10247567 | Engine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel module (TFE) whendiagnosing with ISTA. The following two fault codes will be stored in the DME: 032B43 - Low fuel pressure system, electric fuel pump: pressure value too low CDA594 - Message (- 0x33E) missing, receiver DME, transmitter TFE |
| 10245422 | Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicles equipment and settings, no acoustic or optical confirmation (folding the mirrors/blinking confirmation) is noticeable. Additionally, the red anti-theft alarm LED in the interior mirror does not briefly flash every 2 seconds, indicating the alarm is armed. |
| 10199287 | CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT: N54/N54T/N55 ELECTRIC ENGINE COOLANT PUMP . With the court's FINAL approval, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) has entered a nationwide settlement with the plaintiffs in the following class action: Oliver, et al v. BMW NA, et al |
| 10198894 | CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT: N54/N54T/N55 ELECTRIC ENGINE COOLANT PUMP . With the court's FINAL approval, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) has entered a nationwide settlement with the plaintiffs in the following class action: Oliver, et al v. BMW NA, et al |
| 10194296 | Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. Braking from high speed with cold brake components (less than 212 degrees F) increases the likelihood of cracks to form. |
| 10182619 | Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle "discharged battery" complaints. In order to properly repair the vehicle the first time in the workshop, it is very important that the diagnostic test plans are performed to completion, with all results taken into consideration. Without performing the energy diagnosis test plan, the root caus |
| 10181214 | Power Reduction, FC2A82 Intake VANOS and/or FC2A87 Exhaust VANOS Camshaft Fault: The ?Service Engine Soon? (MIL) lamp is illuminated and engine power reduction is perceived. This situation can occur after driving for some time with the engine at full operating temperature. If theignition is cycled, the engine then usually performs normally. |
| 10175267 | Power Reduction FC2A82 Intake VANOS and/or FC2 A87 Exhaust VANOS Camshaft Fault: The "Service Engine Soon" (MIL) lamp is illuminated and engine power reduction is perceived. This situation can occur after driving for some time with the engine at full operating temperature. If the ignition is cycled the engine then usually performs normally. |
| 10162428 | Various Electrical Problems Caused by Water Ingress. Water ingress into the luggage compartment may cause various electrical problems or faults associated with the MPM (Micro Power Module); PDC (Park Distance Control); M-ASK (Multi-Audio System Controller); CCC (Car Communication Computer); CID (Control Information Display); TCU (Telematics Control Unit); LOGIC-7 (Top Hi-Fi); RDC (Tire Pressure Monitor) or SDARS (Satellite Radio Receiver) control modules. In most cases, the water collects in the spare wheel recess. CAUSE: Insufficient sealing may allow water to enter the luggage compartment du |
| 10162416 | "Power Reduction, FC 2A82 Intake VANOS and/or FC 2A87 Exhaust VANOS Camshaft Faults are Stored in DME. The ""Service Engine Soon"" (MIL) lamp is illuminated and engine power reduction is perceived. This situation can occur after driving for some time with the engine at full operating temperature. If the ignition is cycled, the engine then usually performs normally. The following faults are stored in the DME: * 2A82 VANOS intake - stiff; jammed mechanically * 2A87 VANOS exhaust - stiff; jammed mechanically * 130108 VANOS intake: control fault, position not reached * 130308 VANOS exhaust |
| 10162407 | Various Electrical Problems. There are various electrical malfunctions, for example: central locking, radio reception, tailgate, and rear lighting. Fatigued and broken wires in the tailgate harness. The problem may affect either the left or the right side harness at the tailgate. |
| 10161576 | Service Information March 2018 Drivers Assistance Remote Control Systems B66 23 17 Technical Service This Service Information bulletin replaces SI B66 23 17 dated February 2018 CONTACTLESS TAILGATE (SMART OPENER) IS TOO SENSITIVE. |
| 10161555 | Service Information May 2019 Engine Electrical Systems B12 19 19 Technical Service. On the affected vehicles a DME software error prevents the Check Control Message (CCM) "Low Engine Oil Level" to be displayed in instrument cluster (Kombi) when the engine oil level drops below the minimum level. |
| 10152289 | "?CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT SETTLEMENT: WATER INTRUSION AND ACCUMULATION IN THE TRUNK (E60)/REAR CABIN WELL AREA (E61). INFORMATION BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?) is has entered into a court approved ?nationwide settlement? with this Class Action?s lawsuit plaintiffs. Class Allegations In their complaint, the plaintiffs allege that:Model Year 2004 to 2010 BMW 5 Series E60 (Sedans) and Model Year 2006 to 2010 E61 (Sport Wagons) vehicles (""Preliminary Class Vehicles"") have defectively designed sunroofs drains which, if they become clogged, causes water intrusion and accumulation in the trunk |
| 10151335 | Bluetooth Connection Failures. There are various connectivity failures with the following devices: Apple iPhones Samsung S6 and the S6 Edge. Connectivity failure examples are: Call disconnection - Call is transferred back to the handset. In some instances the call is then transferred back to the vehicle. Contact List incomplete General connection failures Apple iOS software (issue started with iOS 8.3 continues with iOS 9.x and its variants) Samsung S6 and S6 Edge device firmware. |
| 10151119 | SI B84 03 14 February 2016 Communication Systems Technical Service This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B84 03 14 dated October 2014. SUBJECT Bluetooth Connection Failures. There are various connectivity failures with the following devices: Apple iPhones Samsung S6 and the S6 Edge. Connectivity failure examples are: Call disconnection - Call is transferred back to the handset. In some instances the call is then transferred back to the vehicle. Contact List incomplete General connection failures CAUSE Apple iOS software (issue started with iOS 8.3 continues with iOS 9.x and its varia |
| 10151115 | SUBJECT Audio System Speaker Testing. For audio system speaker testing there is a NED (Non Electrical Diagnosis) Test Plan available. CAUSE We previously recommended use of the Audio Test CD (ATC) from BMW. This CD has been discontinued. |
| 10151068 | This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B07 03 14 dated October 2015. Diagnosing Stored Fault Codes to Help Avoid Repeat Repair Visits. Fault codes stored in vehicles being serviced are not being diagnosed, leading to repeat repair visits (source- Analysis of FASTA data and repeat repair visit reports). INFORMATION Where diagnosis (vehicle or short test) with ISTA has already started, it is important to diagnose the fault code(s) listed below (when they are stored in the vehicle) to find their root cause during the current workshop visit. This will help lead to a reduction in workshop |
| 10151023 | Whistling Noise Coming from the Center Vent - A/C is Off . A very high pitched whistling or beeping noise is heard coming from the center vents. The flow of refrigerant through the expansion valve at certain temperature differentials. |
| 10150898 | "SI B01 02 15 January 2016 Warranties This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 02 15 dated December 2015. designates changes to this revision SUBJECT N54 Engine Fuel Injectors - Limited Warranty Extension to 10 Years/120,000 Miles . INFORMATION For the above-referenced vehicles, BMW of North America, LLC (""BMW NA"") is extending the limited warranty for the fuel injectors to: 10 years/120,000 miles as determined by the vehicle's original in-service date. This ""component-specific"" limited warranty extension applies to defects in materials and workmanship and is subject to the ap |
| 10150385 | "CCC - ""Please Insert Navigation DVD"" Appears on CID. The navigation map DVD cannot be read or detected. The message ""Please insert navigation DVD"" appears in the CID (Central Information Display). The navigation system is inoperative. This situation may also occur when upgrading to a new navigation map. The old map is recognized but the new one is not. CAUSE Faulty DVD drive; read error due to hardening of the anti-vibration gel on the read head" |
| 10150330 | "Discharged Battery: Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed. The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle ""discharged battery"" complaints. A discharged battery can have various causes, most of which do not concern the battery itself. A failed battery is often the symptom and not the cause. A fully serviceable battery fails when an electrical component causes the battery to discharge; the batt |
| 10150174 | SI B51 55 10 November 2013 Body EquipmentTechnical Service This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B51 55 10 dated December 2010. designates changes to this revision SUBJECT Rear Window Release Button Leaks Water. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)