2016 BMW 535d Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
No verdictComplaint Index
50/100
#2 most-complained of 3 535d years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2016 BMW 535d has a complaint index of 50, ranking 2nd worst among 3 model years with data. NHTSA lists 9 complaints, 5 recalls, and 1 fire report, with Engine and Fuel System issues each making up 44% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 9
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 30
- 26 city / 37.5 hwy
Top 2016 BMW 535d problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine4 (44%)
- Fuel System4 (44%)
- Other1 (11%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (11%)
What owners report
- Owners report valve cover and oil filter housing oil leaks on the N57 diesel engine, sometimes raising fire risk, often surfacing by around 100,000 miles.
- High-pressure fuel pump failures cause sudden loss of engine power or stalling while driving, in some cases at low speeds like 25 mph.
- Some owners with the fuel pump recall or EGR cooler recall reported waiting extended periods for replacement parts to become available.
- EGR cooler issues led to coolant loss requiring repeated top-offs and a check engine light tied to an intake manifold runner control code.
- One owner reported multiple tire blowouts on the same vehicle at low mileage, including a failure at 45 mph and another at 65 mph.
2016 BMW 535d recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V907000Nov 19, 2021Fuel System50,404 vehicles
Fuel system, diesel
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2018 328d, 328d xDrive, 2014-2018 328d Sports Wagon, 328d xDrive Sports Wagon, 2014-2016 535d, 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d SAV, and 2014-2017 X5 xDrive35d SAV diesel vehicles equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module with an integrated cooler. The EGR cooler may leak internally, causing coolant to mix with diesel engine soot, which could result in smoldering particles and a melting intake manifold.
Risk: A melting intake manifold increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the EGR cooler and inspect the intake manifold, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 18V-755. Vehicles previously recalled under 18V-755 will need to have the new remedy performed for this recall. An interim owner notification letter was mailed on January 18, 2022. The remedy is expected to be available in June 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 6, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- NHTSA 21V586000Jul 29, 2021Fuel System11,216 vehicles
Fuel system, diesel:delivery:fuel pump
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2018 328d, 328d xDrive, X5 xDrive35d, 2014-2016 535d, 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, and 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d vehicles. The high-pressure fuel pump may fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the high-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 14, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- NHTSA 18V755000Oct 25, 2018Engine44,368 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:gas recirculation valve (egr valve)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2018 BMW 328d and 328d xDrive, 2014-2018 328d Sports Wagon and 328d xDrive Sports Wagon, 2014-2016 535d and 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d SAV and 2014-2017 X5 xDrive35d SAV vehicles equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module with an integrated cooler. If the EGR cooler leaks internally, the coolant can mix with diesel engine soot. The high EGR temperatures may result in these particles possibly smoldering and melting the intake manifold.
Risk: The melting intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the EGR cooler as necessary. If a leak has already occurred, the engine intake manifold will also be replaced. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
2016 BMW 535d fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 26 MPG
- Highway
- 37.5 MPG
- Combined
- 30 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,150
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Diesel
- 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.
2016 compared with other 535d years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 BMW 535d reliable based on NHTSA data?
- NHTSA lists 9 complaints and 5 recalls for the 2016 535d, with a complaint index of 50, ranking 2nd worst of the 3 model years with data. Engine and Fuel System problems each account for 44% of complaints.
- Does the 2016 BMW 535d have a fuel system recall?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 21V907000 covers the EGR cooler and intake manifold, and recall 21V586000 covers a high-pressure fuel pump that may fail, both applying to the 2016 535d.
- What is the most common problem area for the 2016 BMW 535d?
- Engine and Fuel System issues are tied as the top problem areas, each representing 44% of the 9 complaints NHTSA has on file.
- At what mileage do 2016 BMW 535d problems typically show up?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 65,000 for engine complaints and 90,500 for fuel system complaints on this model year.
- How does the 2016 535d compare to other years of the 535d?
- The 2016 535d has a complaint index of 50, better than the 2014 model's index of 100 but worse than the 2015 model's index of 0.