2019 BMW 530i Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
70/100
#4 most-complained of 11 530i years
The 2019 BMW 530i has a complaint index of 70, ranking 4th worst among 11 model years, with a Caution verdict. NHTSA logged 15 complaints, 8 tied to the engine, plus 1 recall for back-up camera software, with median failure mileage of 11,815.
- Complaints
- 15
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 2 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 27
- 23.5 city / 33.5 hwy
Top 2019 BMW 530i problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine8 (53%)
- Electrical System7 (47%)
- Brakes3 (20%)
- Fuel System3 (20%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (13%)
- Other1 (7%)
- Seat Belts1 (7%)
- Steering1 (7%)
- Structure & Body1 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (7%)
What owners report
- Automatic braking system reportedly activates on its own with a loud screeching alarm, or fails to brake when approaching other vehicles.
- Owners describe the vehicle braking unexpectedly on the freeway with no car ahead, making acceleration temporarily unresponsive.
- Some owners report a coolant warning followed by a visible coolant leak and smell near the engine.
- One owner reported the engine stalling repeatedly after overheating in cold weather, with no diagnostic codes showing the cause.
- A carbon monoxide buildup was reported inside a closed garage and inside the vehicle after the owner believed the engine was off.
- Owners report the daytime running light module melting the light tube due to improper cooling, requiring full assembly replacement.
2019 BMW 530i recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V684000Sep 27, 2019Collision Avoidance & Cameras257,473 vehicles
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Convertible and Coupe 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, X5 sDrive, X5 xDrive, X5 M50i, X6 xDrive, X6 M50i, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, Z4 sDrive, Z4 M40i, 740Le xDrive and 745Le xDrive, 2018-2019 640i xDrive Gran Turismo and Rolls-Royce Phantom, 2019 M850i xDrive Gran Coupe and Rolls-Royce Cullinan and 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
2019 BMW 530i fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 23.5 MPG
- Highway
- 33.5 MPG
- Combined
- 27 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,950
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2019 compared with other 530i years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 BMW 530i reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2019 530i a complaint index of 70 and a Caution verdict, ranking 4th worst out of 11 model years for this model.
- What is the most common problem with the 2019 BMW 530i?
- Engine complaints are the top problem area, accounting for 8 of 15 total complaints (53%), with a median failure mileage of 15,630.
- Does the 2019 BMW 530i have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 1 recall (campaign 19V684000) for back-up camera software, which BMW dealers updated free of charge; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2019 530i compare to other years?
- With a complaint index of 70, the 2019 530i ranks worse than 2017 (40, Good) and 2018 (60, Caution) but better than 2020, 2022, and 2024, which carry Avoid verdicts.