2013 BMW 535i Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
43/100
#5 most-complained of 8 535i years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2013 BMW 535i has 38 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 43, ranking 5th worst out of 8 model years, with a "Good" verdict relative to other 535i years. Electrical System issues lead at 47% of complaints, and there is 1 recall.
- Complaints
- 38
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 20 city / 29 hwy
Top 2013 BMW 535i problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System18 (47%)
- Engine11 (29%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (16%)
- Airbags5 (13%)
- Other4 (11%)
- Fuel System3 (8%)
- Structure & Body3 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (5%)
- Seat Belts1 (3%)
What owners report
- Engine loses power and check engine light comes on while shaking, sometimes leaving the car unable to shift out of first gear.
- Vehicle stalls suddenly at low speed, with warning lights illuminating and dealers unable to replicate the failure.
- Engine stalls again after a high pressure fuel pump replacement, accompanied by shaking and sputtering while accelerating.
- Goodyear tires develop sidewall bubbling or blow out at low mileage without any impact damage.
- Electrical system stalls the engine and, in one case, steering failed while braking downhill.
- Sunroof glass has shattered outward, scattering shards and damaging paint and the trunk lid.
2013 BMW 535i recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 15V188000Mar 31, 2015Electrical System13,443 vehicles
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. As such, the vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: The vehicle may be less visible to other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
2013 BMW 535i fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,300
- 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.
2013 compared with other 535i years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 BMW 535i reliable?
- Compared to other 535i model years, 2013 ranks 5th worst out of 8 with a complaint index of 43, and NHTSA data give it a "Good" verdict relative to those other years.
- What is the most common problem with the 2013 BMW 535i?
- Electrical System complaints are the largest category, making up 47% of the 38 NHTSA complaints, with a median failure mileage of 47,750 for the model year overall.
- Does the 2013 BMW 535i have any recalls?
- Yes, one recall (campaign 15V188000) covers rear reflex reflectors that may not reflect enough light; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
- Are there fire risks with the 2013 BMW 535i?
- NHTSA lists 2 fire incidents among the 38 complaints, including one engine fire and one fuel system fire report.
- How does the 2013 535i compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 43 is lower than 2010 (86), 2011 (100), 2012 (71), and 2014 (57), but higher than 2015 (29) and 2016 (14), which is rated "Best".