BMW 535i Problems by Year

We compared every BMW 535i model year from 2008–2016 using 473 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 9 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2011, 2008 and 2009, which drew far more complaints than other 535i years at the same age. The best years are 2016, 2015 and 2014.

9model years
473complaints
9recalls
2011, 2008worst years
2016, 2015best years

Complaints by model year

2008200920102011201220132014201520167471581125439302312
Owner complaints per model year, BMW 535i. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
201612−68%2AirbagGood
201523−66%—ElectricalGood
201430−40%2EngineGood
201339−33%1ElectricalAverage
201254typical1Fuel SystemAverage
20111122.2×4EngineAvoid
2010581.3×1Fuel SystemAverage
2009711.6×1Fuel SystemCaution
2008741.7×1EngineCaution

* Complaints compared with the median 535i year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common BMW 535i problems

Latest BMW 535i recalls

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 24V-527 · Jul 11, 2024 · 1,145 vehicles

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…

Remedy: The driver's front air bag will be replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Power train › Driveline › Constant velocity joint

NHTSA recall 17V-067 · Feb 2, 2017 · 8,752 vehicles

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.

Remedy: 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.

Air bags

NHTSA recall 16V-914 · Dec 20, 2016 · 3,506 vehicles

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,…

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive

NHTSA recall 16V-832 · Nov 17, 2016 · 91 vehicles

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.

Remedy: 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.

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump

NHTSA recall 16V-746 · Oct 17, 2016 · 136,188 vehicles

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,…

Remedy: 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.

All 9 BMW 535i recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the BMW 535i should you avoid?

2011, 2008 and 2009 — these years have the most complaints relative to other 535i years at the same age, led by engine & cooling problems in the 2011.

What is the best year for the BMW 535i?

2016 has the fewest complaints compared with other 535i years at the same age, followed by 2015 and 2014. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common BMW 535i problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (155), fuel & propulsion system (146) and electrical system (78). Engine complaints peak in the 2011 model year.

How many recalls has the BMW 535i had?

9 recalls across 2008–2016. The model year with the most is 2011. See all BMW 535i recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.