2011 BMW 535i Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 8 535i years
The 2011 BMW 535i ranks worst of 8 model years, with a Complaint Index of 100 and 112 complaints, mostly Engine (41%) and Fuel System (31%) issues. NHTSA lists 4 recalls, including airbag control unit and VANOS bolt problems.
- Complaints
- 112
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 5 / 6
- Injuries / deaths
- 8 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20 city / 28 hwy
Top 2011 BMW 535i problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine46 (41%)
- Fuel System35 (31%)
- Electrical System19 (17%)
- Transmission & Powertrain17 (15%)
- Other8 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (7%)
- Airbags5 (4%)
- Structure & Body4 (4%)
- Brakes3 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers3 (3%)
What owners report
- Engine failure warnings appear on the dashboard, sometimes tied to a faulty plastic oil filter housing that was never repaired before the failure occurred.
- Owners report engine fires starting near the top rear of the motor, in one case traced to oil leaking from the valve cover onto the exhaust manifold.
- Some vehicles caught fire while parked and unoccupied, with fire departments called to extinguish the blaze.
- Airbags failed to deploy during a side-impact collision at around 50 mph.
- Sudden unintended acceleration was reported, including a stuck accelerator pedal with no warning lights illuminated.
- Goodyear run-flat tires developed sidewall bubbles repeatedly, requiring multiple replacements.
2011 BMW 535i recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 17V067000Feb 2, 2017Transmission & Powertrain8,752 vehicles
Power train:driveline:constant velocity joint
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. The rear driveshaft constant velocity (CV) joint on the affected vehicles may fatigue and break.
Risk: If the CV joint breaks, the vehicle may have a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- NHTSA 16V832000Nov 17, 2016Airbags91 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
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. These SCUs have an acceleration sensor that may have been incorrectly programmed and, as a result, the SCU may not accurately determine if activation and deployment of the air bags, safety belt pre-tensioners and head restraints is necessary in the event of a crash.
Risk: Depending on the severity of the crash, inadequate activation of the driver and/or passenger air bags, safety belt pre-tensioners and active head restraints may increase the risk of injury.
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.
- NHTSA 16V746000Oct 17, 2016Fuel System136,188 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
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, 2011-2012 528i, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i and 550i xDrive and 2012 535i ActiveHybrid, 640i Convertible, 650i Convertible, 650i xDrive Convertible, 650i Coupe and 650i Coupe xDrive vehicles. The affected vehicles have in-tank fuel pumps that may have insufficiently crimped wire contacts.
Risk: The loose wires may cause the connector to melt, resulting in a fuel leak. Additionally, the fuel pump may stop working, possibly causing an engine stall and increase the risk of a crash.
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.
2011 BMW 535i fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 28 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,450
- 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.
2011 compared with other 535i years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 BMW 535i reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011 535i has the highest Complaint Index (100) of the 8 model years covered, with 112 complaints and 4 recalls, ranking it worst of the group.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2011 BMW 535i?
- Engine problems are the top complaint area, accounting for 46 complaints (41% of the total), including reports of engine failure and fires, with a median failure mileage of 78,000.
- Does the 2011 BMW 535i have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2011 535i, covering the rear driveshaft CV joint, an airbag control unit software issue, a fuel pump module, and VANOS housing bolts.
- How does the 2011 535i compare to other years?
- The 2011 model has a Complaint Index of 100, higher than every other year listed, including 2010 (86), 2012 (71), and 2016, which has the lowest at 14 and is rated Best.