RoadVitals

1991 BMW 535

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
1
Latest Aug 9, 1999
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Apr 11, 1994
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 1991 BMW 535, most frequently naming the engine category. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 4 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine1100.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
94V066000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Apr 11, 1994
116,300 units potentially affected
The defect: FEED FUEL HOSES CAN HARDEN AND "SET" OVER TIME, ALLOWING A SEEPAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE HOSE AND THE ENGINE FITTING. THE CLAMP USED TO HOLD THE HOSE TO THE FITTING IS UNABLE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE HARDENING OF THE FEED FUEL HOSE.
The risk: FUEL SEEPAGE BETWEEN THE FEED FUEL HOSE AND THE ENGINE FITTING CAN RESULT IN FREE FUEL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
The remedy: A REDESIGNED FEED FUEL HOSE AND HOSE CLAMP WILL BE INSTALLED TO ALLEVIATE THE FUEL SEEPAGE.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov
92V101000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Jul 10, 1992
637 units potentially affected
The defect: SOME OF THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A THROTTLE HOUSING ON WHICH THE THROTTLE VALVE SHAFT RETAINING NUT WAS NOT SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED.
The risk: IF THE NUT WERE TO LOOSEN, MOVEMENT OF THE THROTTLE VALVECOULD BE IMPAIRED, RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE BEING UNABLE TO DECELERATE WHEN THEGAS PEDAL IS RELEASED.
The remedy: THOSE THROTTLE HOUSINGS WITH SUSPECT MANUFACTURING CODES WILL HAVE THE THROTTLE VALVE SHIFT RETAINING NUT TORQUE TESTED, AND THOSE WITH INSUFFICIENT NUT TORQUE WILL BE REPLACED.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA95013ClosedEngineering Analysis

AIR BAG WIRING FAILURE

Opened Mar 31, 1995
Closed Jul 15, 1996

There is no summary currently available

AIR BAGSLed to recall 96V110000
EA92017ClosedEngineering Analysis

HEATER CORE FAILURE

Opened Jun 2, 1992
Closed Mar 30, 1993

There is no summary currently available

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEMLed to recall 93V015000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Aug 9, 1999

VEHICLE WAS UNDER RECALL 98178000. BUT OWNER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. VEHICLE BROKE DOWN.TOWED TO DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT COOLANT SYSTEM RADIATOR CAP WAS AT FAULT. THIS HAD CAUSED THE PROBLEMS WITH THE WATER PUMP. CONSUMER WAS UNHAPPY FOR NOT RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE. *AK

NHTSA ID
844618
Incident
Aug 2, 1999

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

B510819

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

MSG0415

AIR BAGS

RECALL 96V110 - BMW OF NORTH AMERICA HAS INITIATED A RECALL CAMPAIGN WHICH INVOLVES THE AIRBAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB. *TW

120894(4117)

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE WILL NOT START. *TW

130792(3700)

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

FEED FUEL HOSES UPDATE. *TW

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

BMW 535 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1996100—
1995000—
1994100—
1993011—
1992212—
1991Viewing122—
1990421—
1989721—
1988001—
1987213—
1986013—
1985105—
1984001—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.