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2012 BMW 535I Gran Turismo

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.
2
Latest May 20, 2018
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.
1
Latest Apr 10, 2014
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.
0
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 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 BMW 535I Gran Turismo, most frequently naming the brakes, driver assistance and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 268 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

  • Brakes125.0%
  • Driver assistance125.0%
  • Engine125.0%
  • Fuel system125.0%

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

1 campaign 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
14V176000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Apr 10, 2014
156,137 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i Convertible, 528i Sedan, 535i Sedan, 535i xDrive Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, and X3 xDrive 35i, 2010 X3 xDrive 30i, and X5 xDrive 30i, 2012 640i Coupe, and 640i Convertible and 2010-2012 535i Gran Turismo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break.
The risk: If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. The recall began on September 24, 2014. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Filed May 20, 2018

I WAS DRIVING ALONG A SMOOTH ROAD (FM1488) ON A SUNNY DAY AND HEARD AN LOUD "POP". AFTER PULLING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I DISCOVERED THAT MY PANORAMIC SUNROOF HAD BURST IN AN OUTWARDLY DIRECTION. LUCKILY, MY SUN SHADE CAUGHT THE GLASS SO NONE OF IT CAME DOWN INTO THE INTERIOR. TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THERE WERE NO ROCKS OR OTHER OBJECTS THAT HIT THE GLASS, IT JUST SEEMED TO BURST SPONTANEOUSLY WITHOUT WARNING. I AM VERY SURPRISED THAT A SUNROOF THIS LARGE IS NOT LAMINATED, ESPECIALLY IN A BMW.

NHTSA ID
11096910
Incident
May 18, 2018
Mileage
75,300 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceEngine+1 more
Filed Sep 14, 2014

ON 8/24 MY 2012 535I WITH ONLY 17K MILES HAD ITS HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP REPLACED BY ONTARIO BMW DEALER. THE CAR LOST ALL POWER, LOCKING BRAKES, NOT ABLE TO ACCELERATE WHILE TRAVELING, RIGHT WHEN EXITING THE FREEWAY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING AND SPUTTERING. LOST ALL POWER AND WOULDN'T MOVE. TODAY, 9/14 EXACTLY THREE WEEKS AFTER THE REPAIR WAS DONE BY THE ONTARIO BMW, RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF 4 LANE HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC ON THE 405 FWY , IT HAPPENED AGAIN. MY CAR BECAME WEAKER IN POWER UNTIL IT LOST ALL POWER AND IT WOULDN'T MOVE. "DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION" MESSAGE APPEAR AGAIN. I MANAGED TO SAFELY PULL TO THE SHOULDER AFTER ALMOST BEING REAR ENDED. I WAITED OVER 50 MIN FOR AN OPERATED INSIDE THE CAR WITH A TEMP OVER 115 FOR THE ROAD ASSISTANCE OPERATOR TO LOCATE A TOW TRUCK. I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WILL BE TOWED AFTER AN ADDITIONAL 90 MIN. THE HIGHWAY PATROL CAME AND WAS ABLE TO TAKE ME TO A SAFE PLACE, WHILE MY CAR WAS BEING PICK UP FROM THE SIDE OF THE FWY. MY CAR IS AT THE DEALER NOW. THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE AT ALL PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS RECURRING ISSUE . *TR

NHTSA ID
10633082
Incident
Sep 14, 2014
Mileage
17,670 mi

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.

B611305

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle “discharged battery” complaints.

B160623

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Engine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel module (TFE) whendiagnosing with ISTA. The following two fault codes will be stored in the DME: 032B43 - Low fuel pressure system, electric fuel pump: pressure value too low CDA594 - Message (- 0x33E) missing, receiver DME, transmitter TFE

B653423

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicle’s equipment and settings, no acoustic or optical confirmation (folding the mirrors/blinking confirmation) is noticeable. Additionally, the red anti-theft alarm LED in the interior mirror does not briefly flash every 2 seconds, indicating the alarm is armed.

B010122

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

With the court's FINAL approval, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) has entered into a nationwide settlement with the plaintiffs in the following class action: Isley, et al. v. Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft and BMW of North America, LLC.

B650414

AIR BAGS; BACK OVER PREVENTION; LANE DEPARTURE; SEATS:BARRIERS

According to the customer, the airbag warning light was on, but it may not be illuminated when the vehicle arrives in the workshop. 1. ACSM fault code "930A60 - Seat occupancy detection, front passenger; malfunction" is stored. The fault may or may not currently be present. Or 2. ACSM fault code "930A1C - Front passenger seat occupancy detection transmitting fault(moisture)" is stored. The fault may or may not currently be present.

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 535I Gran Turismo by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2012Viewing210—
2011220—
2010310—

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.