YearToAvoid

2011 BMW 535xi Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2011 BMW 535xi has 35 NHTSA complaints and a Complaint Index of 83, ranking 2nd worst out of 7 model years with data. Suspension, wheels and tires make up 43% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 5,967 miles. It carries an Avoid verdict.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
83/100
#2 of 7 535xi years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
35
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
0
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
0
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
2
Top issue
Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Best nearby year
2012
lowest-risk (no Good/Best year)

Top 2011 BMW 535xi problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Suspension, Wheels & Tires15 (43%)
  2. Engine7 (20%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain7 (20%)
  4. Fuel System5 (14%)
  5. Structure & Body3 (9%)
  6. Airbags1 (3%)
  7. Brakes1 (3%)
  8. Other1 (3%)
  9. 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

  • Run-flat tires develop sidewall bubbles or blisters, sometimes disintegrating while driving on the highway.
  • A tire blowout occurred after driving roughly 40 miles once the run-flat tire began breaking apart.
  • Owners report a noticeable delay of over a second between pressing the accelerator and the car moving from a stop.
  • A dashboard warning reading 'maximum drivetrain not available' appeared while driving, with the car losing power and slowing suddenly.
  • The vehicle pulls to the right after driving straight and jerks forward during light acceleration at low speed.
  • Active cruise control has applied the brakes unexpectedly while passing large trucks with no obstruction ahead.
2011 BMW 535xi complaints: complaints filed per month4Sep 2011Dec 2011Mar 2012Aug 2012Jan 2014Feb 2016Mar 2017Jan 2018
35 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2011 to Sep 2018; peak Sep 2011 (4).

2011 BMW 535xi recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2011 compared with other 535xi years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002007200820102011201220132014
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2008Avoid10071019
2010Caution67150—
2011Avoid83350—
2012Caution50180—
2013No verdict3341—

All BMW 535xi years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2011 BMW 535xi reliable?
Compared to other 535xi model years, the 2011 ranks poorly. NHTSA data shows 35 complaints and a Complaint Index of 83, the second-highest among the 7 model years with data, earning it an Avoid verdict.
What is the most common problem with the 2011 BMW 535xi?
Suspension, wheels and tires issues dominate, accounting for 43% of complaints (15 of 35), mostly involving run-flat tires failing at a median of 5,967 miles.
Does the 2011 BMW 535xi have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2011 535xi.
How does the 2011 535xi compare to other years?
The 2011 model's Complaint Index of 83 is worse than the 2010 (67), 2012 (50), and 2013 (33) model years, though better than the 2008 model year's index of 100.
Were there any injuries reported for the 2011 BMW 535xi?
NHTSA data lists 2 injuries and 0 deaths among the 35 complaints for the 2011 535xi, with 0 crashes and 0 fires reported.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.