YearToAvoid

2013 BMW 535XI Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

No verdict

Complaint Index

25/100

#4 most-complained of 5 535XI years

The 2013 BMW 535XI has 4 NHTSA complaints, 1 recall, and a complaint index of 25, ranking 4th of 5 model years — better than 2010, 2011, and 2012. Top reported issue is Suspension, Wheels & Tires.

Complaints
4
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2013 BMW 535XI problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (50%)
  2. Brakes1 (25%)
  3. Engine1 (25%)
  4. Structure & Body1 (25%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain1 (25%)

What owners report

  • Brakes reportedly failed to respond during stop-and-go highway traffic, leading to a rear-end crash at low mileage.
  • Front tires developed bubbles after hitting a small pothole or bump at speeds under 30 mph, with the issue occurring twice on the same vehicle.
  • Owners describe moisture buildup inside the ventilation system that led to mold growth and reported respiratory symptoms among frequent riders.
  • A clicking noise from the front of the vehicle preceded a universal joint failure that punctured the oil pan, causing an oil leak at high mileage.
2013 BMW 535XI complaints: complaints filed per month3Aug 2013Mar 2014Sep 2017Jul 2018
6 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2013 to Jul 2018; peak Jul 2018 (3).

2013 BMW 535XI recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. 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 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
2011Avoid100350—
2012Caution50180—
2013No verdict2541—
2014No verdict001—

All BMW 535XI years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 BMW 535XI reliable?
NHTSA lists 4 complaints and 1 recall for the 2013 535XI, with a complaint index of 25 — lower than 2010, 2011, and 2012, which had indexes of 75, 100, and 50.
What is the top reported problem for the 2013 BMW 535XI?
Suspension, Wheels & Tires is the top problem area, accounting for 2 of the 4 complaints (50%), with a median mileage at failure of 54,775.
Does the 2013 BMW 535XI have any recalls?
Yes, one recall (campaign 15V188000) covers the electrical system due to rear reflex reflectors not reflecting enough light. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2013 BMW 535XI compare to other years?
It ranks 4th worst out of 5 model years with data, with a complaint index of 25, making it a better choice than the 2010, 2011, and 2012 model years.
Were there any crashes reported for the 2013 BMW 535XI?
Yes, NHTSA recorded 1 crash and 2 injuries among the 4 complaints, tied to a brake failure incident.

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.