Most common 2013 BMW 535i problems
Share of the 39 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
BMW 535i complaints by model year
Best 535i years: 2016, 2015, 2014. Years to avoid: 2011, 2008, 2009. Compare all years →
2013 BMW 535i recalls (1)
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. The rear reflex reflectors may not reflect enough light.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear reflex reflectors, free of charge. The recall began July 28, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2013 BMW 535i:
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles.
What 2013 BMW 535i owners say
Electrical system
My 2013 BMW 535i (VIN [redacted] ) caught fire spontaneously while parked, turned off, and unoccupied on 11/18/2025 in Westbury, NY. A passerby saw smoke and called 911. Nassau County Police and the Westbury Fire Department responded. Firefighters informed me at the scene that the fire was mechanical in origin. The vehicle was completely off and had been parked for about 20 minutes. I was not in or near the car. The fire originated under the hood. This matches known fire patterns in BMW 5-series models from this generation involving electrical/engine components, even though my VIN shows no open recalls. The previous owner did not register the car, so any recall notices may not have reached them. The vehicle is a total loss.
Heard a clicking noise behind the steering wheel for a few days then I'll the sudden the horn stopped working and all the controls on the steering wheel stopped working. I'm a mechanic so I took apart the clock spring stealing wheel compartment to find all of the wire broken and very very brittle. Cause for concern due to airbag malfunction and is no longer connected properly!!!I've been hearing a clicking noise behind the steering wheel for a few days. Then, suddenly, the horn stopped working, and all the controls on the steering wheel stopped working as well. Since I'm a mechanic, I disassembled the clock spring and the steering wheel compartment to find that all the wires were broken and extremely brittle. This is concerning because it could cause an airbag malfunction, and the wires are no longer connected properly.
Engine & cooling
My 2013 BMW 535i (VIN [redacted] ) caught fire spontaneously while parked, turned off, and unoccupied on 11/18/2025 in Westbury, NY. A passerby saw smoke and called 911. Nassau County Police and the Westbury Fire Department responded. Firefighters informed me at the scene that the fire was mechanical in origin. The vehicle was completely off and had been parked for about 20 minutes. I was not in or near the car. The fire originated under the hood. This matches known fire patterns in BMW 5-series models from this generation involving electrical/engine components, even though my VIN shows no open recalls. The previous owner did not register the car, so any recall notices may not have reached them. The vehicle is a total loss.
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 535I. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the engine was overheating. Additionally, the contact noticed an abnormal burning odor while driving, with smoke coming from underneath the hood while at a complete stop. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
Lights
The headlight housing on my model year is leaking water into it and causing electrical issues , Iv noticed majority of other models I see on the road have the same issue with one of the headlight housings having water in them, this has caused numerous codes to appear on the dash. " Vertical headlight malfunction " ..."turn signal malfunction " ..."daytime running light malfunction " ect... this is a safety issue because it stops my signal from working and my headlight works when it wants to. Normally I would think maybe I rock chipped the housing but since I see it on majority of 535's I see I figure it must have been an issue from factory.
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 535I. The contact stated that the driver's side headlamp had condensation inside the headlamp housing. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who replaced the headlamp housing. The contact stated that the failure recurred with the passenger's side headlamp housing and the driver's side replacement headlamp housing. The failure had caused the turn signals to malfunction. The contact stated that an unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
2013 BMW 535i engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 8-speed automatic | RWD | 20 / 30 / 24 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 6-speed manual | RWD | 20 / 29 / 23 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2013 BMW 535i a good car?
Based on 39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 535i rates average: 33% fewer complaints than a typical year of the 535i at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2013 BMW 535i?
The electrical system — 13 complaints, 33% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the engine & cooling (11) and lights (8).
How many recalls does the 2013 BMW 535i have?
There is 1 recall for the 2013 BMW 535i, the most recent from March 31, 2015 (exterior lighting). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the BMW 535i?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2016, 2015 and 2014. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2011, 2008 and 2009. See the full BMW 535i years comparison.
At what mileage do 2013 BMW 535i problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 55,000 miles; 50% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.