Complaints by model year
Distinct federal complaints filed against each model year of the BMW 535I, to date. Hover a bar for the count. Older years have had longer to accumulate filings; the rankings below correct for that.
1986
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
Highest totals within an 8-year windowAll other years
Model years compared
Ranked from the same federal record on an equal exposure window. Click any year for its full file.
Highest complaint totals
- 2011 BMW 535I - 69 complaints in its first 8 years (112 to date)
- 2008 BMW 535I - 53 complaints in its first 8 years (74 to date)
- 2009 BMW 535I - 50 complaints in its first 8 years (71 to date)
Ranked on distinct complaints filed within eight years of the model year, so old and new years get the same exposure window. Not adjusted for sales volume; a best-selling year files more complaints at the same failure rate.
Lowest totals among mature years
- 2013 BMW 535I - 26 complaints in its first 8 years (38 to date)
- 2012 BMW 535I - 36 complaints in its first 8 years (54 to date)
- 2010 BMW 535I - 39 complaints in its first 8 years (58 to date)
Same eight-year window, among model years old enough to have completed it and with at least 25 complaints in it. Model years before 1990 are excluded because the federal file begins in 1995. A low total is not proof of reliability.
What owners report, all years combined
Every model year
| Model year | Complaints to date | Within 8 years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 BMW 535I | 12 | 12 | 2 |
| 2015 BMW 535I | 23 | 11 | 0 |
| 2014 BMW 535I | 30 | 22 | 2 |
| 2013 BMW 535I | 38 | 26 | 1 |
| 2012 BMW 535I | 54 | 36 | 1 |
| 2011 BMW 535I | 112 | 69 | 4 |
| 2010 BMW 535I | 58 | 39 | 1 |
| 2009 BMW 535I | 71 | 50 | 1 |
| 2008 BMW 535I | 74 | 53 | 1 |
| 1994 BMW 535I | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 1993 BMW 535I | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 1992 BMW 535I | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| 1991 BMW 535I | 5 | 1 | 3 |
| 1990 BMW 535I | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 1989 BMW 535I | 6 | 0 | 1 |
| 1988 BMW 535I | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1986 BMW 535I | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Recall campaigns, all years
Every campaign filed against this model, with the model years it covers. Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN.
| Campaign | Years | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24V527000 | 2014 | Air Bags | 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,... |
| 17V067000 | 2011 | Power Train | 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,... |
| 16V914000 | 2016-2017 | Air Bags | 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... |
| 16V832000 | 2011 | Air Bags | 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. |
| 16V746000 | 2011-2012 | Fuel System, Gasoline | 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... |
| 15V718000 | 2016 | Seats | 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. |
| 15V188000 | 2013-2014 | Exterior Lighting | 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. |
| 14V176000 | 2011 | Engine And Engine Cooling | 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... |
| 13V407000 | 2008-2010 | Exterior Lighting | 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. |
| 98V178000 | 1989-1995 | Engine And Engine Cooling | 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... |
| 96V111000 | 1990-1992 | Exterior Lighting | THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAN FAIL ALLOWING THE SWITCH TO REMAIN IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS ON" POSITION. |
| 96V110000 | 1991-1992 | Air Bags | THE AIR BAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB LOCATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAN BREAK WITHOUT WARNING. |