2014 BMW 535i Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2014 BMW 535i has a complaint index of 44, ranking 6th out of 10 model years, and earns a Good verdict relative to other 535i years. It has 30 complaints, 2 recalls, and no do-not-drive recalls on file.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 44/100
- #6 of 10 535i years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 30
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2014 BMW 535i problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine11 (37%)
- Electrical System10 (33%)
- Other4 (13%)
- Structure & Body4 (13%)
- Brakes3 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (10%)
- Visibility & Wipers3 (10%)
- Airbags1 (3%)
- Fuel System1 (3%)
- Steering1 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine valve failures reported very early, with some vehicles undrivable within a few hundred miles and one case around 180 miles.
- Sudden loss of power and power steering while driving at highway speed, with a drivetrain malfunction warning, near 38,000 miles.
- Tire sidewalls rupturing or bursting during normal driving, in one case at 16,200 miles and another around 4,500 miles, leading to repeated flat-tire warnings.
- Driver's side door handle failing to open the door, with the lock jamming intermittently around 36,000 miles.
- Front driver-side airbag failing to deploy properly during a crash, with smoke reported coming from the airbag near 129,000 miles.
- Reflection from the head-up display and dashboard speaker obstructing the driver's forward view.
2014 BMW 535i recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V527000Jul 11, 2024Airbags1,145 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2015 6 Series Gran Coupe, 2014 5 Series Gran Turismo, 2014 5 Series Sedan, 2015 6 Series Convertible, 2015 6 Series Coupe, 2014 X5, 2013-2014 X3, 2014-2015 3 Series Sedan, 2014 4 Series Coupe, 2014 4 Series Convertible, 2014 3 Series Gran Turismo, and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. Please see the recall report for the complete list of models. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, increasing the risk of injury or death.
Remedy: The driver's front air bag will be replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- 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.
2014 BMW 535i fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 29 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.
2014 compared with other 535i years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 BMW 535i reliable?
- Among 535i model years, 2014 has a complaint index of 44 and ranks 6th of 10 years tracked, earning a Good verdict. It has fewer complaints (30) than several earlier years like 2011 (112 complaints, Avoid).
- What are the most common problems with the 2014 BMW 535i?
- NHTSA complaints show Engine issues lead at 37% of complaints (11 cases), followed by Electrical System problems at 33% (10 cases). Structure & Body, Brakes, Suspension, and Visibility & Wipers issues each make up smaller shares.
- Does the 2014 BMW 535i have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2014 535i: an airbag recall (campaign 24V527000) covering front driver's airbag replacement, and an electrical recall (15V188000) for rear reflex reflectors that don't reflect enough light. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2014 535i compare to other years?
- The 2014 535i's complaint index of 44 is better than 2008 through 2012, which range from 56 to 100 and carry Caution or Avoid verdicts, but worse than 2013 (33, Good), 2015 (22, Best), and 2016 (11, Best).
- What mileage do 2014 535i problems typically show up at?
- The median mileage at failure across all complaints is 35,000 miles. Engine complaints show a lower median of 19,250 miles, while Electrical System complaints show a higher median of 58,750 miles.