YearToAvoid

2011 BMW 535XI Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 5 535XI years

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

The 2011 BMW 535XI has 35 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 100, ranking worst of the 5 model years with data. Suspension, Wheels & Tires issues make up 43% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 5,967 miles.

Complaints
35
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2011 BMW 535XI problems

NHTSA owner 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%)

What owners report

  • Front tires (Goodyear run-flat 245/40R19 Eagle LS2) develop sidewall bubbles or blisters, sometimes repeatedly on the same vehicle.
  • A tire blowout occurred on the highway after about 40 miles of driving, disintegrating the tire and requiring a tow.
  • One owner reported a tire losing air after hitting a minor pothole at low speed, with no spare tire available.
  • Owners describe a noticeable delay or lag when accelerating from a stop, sometimes with a dashboard warning about reduced drivetrain availability.
  • The vehicle reportedly pulls to the right after driving straight and jerks forward during slight acceleration at low speed.
  • The passenger airbag system displayed a restraint malfunction warning while driving at low speed.
2011 BMW 535XI complaints: complaints filed per month5Sep 2011Dec 2011Mar 2012Aug 2012Jan 2014Feb 2016Mar 2017Jan 2018
41 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2011 to Sep 2018; peak Oct 2017 (5).

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)025507510020102011201220132014
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Avoid75150—
2011Avoid100350—
2012Caution50180—
2013No verdict2541—

All BMW 535XI years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2011 BMW 535XI reliable?
Among the 5 model years with data, 2011 ranks worst, with 35 complaints and a complaint index of 100, the highest of any year listed.
What is the biggest problem with the 2011 BMW 535XI?
Suspension, Wheels & Tires complaints account for 43% of all reports, mostly involving run-flat tire failures, with a median mileage at failure of 5,967 miles.
Does the 2011 BMW 535XI have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2011 535XI, though later years (2013 and 2014) each have 1 recall.
How does the 2011 535XI compare to other years?
2011 has a complaint index of 100 and is rated Avoid, while 2012 (index 50, Caution) and 2013 (index 25) show fewer reported problems.
Were there any crashes or injuries reported for the 2011 535XI?
NHTSA data shows 0 crashes and 0 fires for the 2011 535XI, but 2 injuries were reported among the 35 complaints.

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.