2011 BMW 535I US Owner Complaints

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS. 1. BOTH HEAD LIGHTS BECAME FILLED WITH CONDENSATION/WATER. I TOOK IT TO A BMW DEALERSHIP. THEY PERFORMED A BMW DIAGNOSIS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE MOST LIKELY CASE WAS THE COLD AIR. THEY CHECKED FOR EXCESS AIR LEAKS IN BOTH HEAD LIGHTS BUT DID NOT FIND EXCESS AIR LEAKS. (SEE ATTACHED STATEMENT) THEY ALSO REPLACED A GASKET, OIL FILTER HOUSING. THE OIL FILTER HOUSING WAS ALLOWING OIL TO LEAK OUT FROM THE ENGINE 5.8. THEY PERFORMED REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF THE OIL FILTER HOUSING GASKET AND WASHED DOWN THE ENGINE OF THE OIL RESIDUE. THE INCIDENTS WERE DIAGNOSED AND REPLACE ACCORDINGLY ON JAN. 24. 2019. JUST RECENTLY, ABOUT 5 DAYS AGO TODAY, MY CAR STARTED MAKING A WEIRD LOUD NOISE LIKE A GARBAGE TRUCK MAKES WHEN IT GOES FROM STOP TO STOP. IT MADE THAT SOUND WHEN DRIVING, AS WELL AS WHEN PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. AT THE SAME TIME, I WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO OPEN MY TRUCK WITH NEITHER THE INSIDE BUTTON OR MY KEYS. I TOOK MY CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP THAT WAS CLOSE BY. THE OWNER USED TO WORK FOR BMW SERVICE CENTER AS A MECHANIC BEFORE STARTING HIS OWN BUSINESS. STRANGELY, THE CAR DID NOT MAKE THE SOUND IN HIS PRESENCE ALTHOUGH IT WAS LEFT RUNNING. I LEFT HIS SHOP AND WAS HEADING HOME WHEN SUDDENLY I GOT A RED ERROR MESSAGE WARNING ME THAT THE ENGINE HAD OVER HEATED AND THAT I SHOULD DRIVE SLOWLY AND/OR PULL OVER AS OVER HEATING COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. THE MESSAGE ALSO SAID THE VEHICLE NEEDED COOLANT. I PURCHASE THE COOLANT ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL, BUT THE CAR OVERHEATED ONCE AGAIN WHEN I BEGAN TO DRIVE IT. I ALLOWED IT TO COOL DOWN AND DROVE IT HOME. I POPPED THE HOOD AFTER IT COOL DOWN AGAIN AND NOTICED A GREASY/OILY DARK BROWN SUBSTANCE IN COOLANT/RADIATOR HOLE. FROM WHAT I READ, IT'S A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. I ONLY HAVE 74963 MILES ON MY 2011 535I BMW. ALL SERVICES ARE UP TO DATE. MY NEXT SERVICE ISN'T DUE FOR 4000 MILES 03/2020 *AS INVALID VIN *JB

NHTSA ID

11210575

Incident

May 23, 2019

Mileage

74,943 mi

MY BMW HAS ABOUT 75K MILES ON IT. I WAS DRIVING IT ONE DAY AFTER WORK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY. CAR DID NOT SHUT DOWN OR ANYTHING BUT LOSS OF POWER, IT'S LIKE MY VEHICLE WENT INTO NEUTRAL GEAR, I STEPPED ON THE GAS AND THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE. THIS ALMOST RESULTED IN A FATAL CRASH. 'DRIVETRAN MALFUNCTION' CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. THIS IS VERY WEIRD FOR A CAR THAT ONLY HAS 75K MILES ON IT. I HAVEN'T HAD ANY ISSUES PRIOR TO THIS, CAR COMPLETELY STALLED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT, I THANK GOD I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF EXITING OFF THE HIGHWAY, OTHER WISE I WOULD'VE HAD A VERY FATAL CRASH.

NHTSA ID

11061260

Incident

Dec 20, 2017

Mileage

76,000 mi

CAR SHOWS ERROR OF DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION AND THE CAR STARTS TO SHAKE.

NHTSA ID

11043150

Incident

Sep 7, 2017

THERE ARE WIRES ON THE ENGINE THAT ARE CRACKING AND WAS TOLD BY THE BMW DEALER THAT THIS CAN CAUSE A FIRE.

NHTSA ID

11043149

Incident

Nov 7, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535I US. WHILE DRIVING OVER 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE CONTACT REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO BRING THE SPEED DOWN TO 30 MPH, BUT THE SHAKING BECAME AGGRESSIVE. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE SHAKING CONTINUED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT HE HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE WHEELS, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE IF IT WAS THE FRONT OR REAR WHEELS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,712.

NHTSA ID

11015366

Incident

Aug 11, 2017

Mileage

94,712 mi

I PURCHASED THIS CAR 2 MONTHS AGO. TODAY MY WIFE WHEN OUT WITH MY 14 AND 4 YEARS OLD DAUGHTERS AND THE CAR LOST POWER AND SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING AT AROUND 60 MPH IN THE HIGHWAY. THANKFULLY THEY ARE OK. BUT THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. IT STARTS BUT DIES WITHIN SECONDS NO IDEA WHAT THE PROBLEM IS BUT I FOUND THAT LOTS OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

11015263

Incident

Aug 14, 2017

Mileage

115,000 mi

DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION & CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. SCANNED CODE CAME BACK AS P0087 WHICH TRANSLATE TO "LOW FUEL RAIL PRESSURE". ZEIGLER BMW OF 11030 W 159TH ST, ORLAND PARK, IL 60467 STATES REMEDY IS UNAVAILABLE HOWEVER THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME $167.00 TO DIAGNOSE IT. TOLD ME TO WAIT FOR LETTER STATING REMEDY IS READY. $60K CAR I CANT DRIVE.

NHTSA ID

11011930

Incident

Jul 31, 2017

Mileage

134,000 mi

GAS SMELL IN INTERIOR OF VEHICLE, SERVICE NOTED THAT THERE IS GAS LEAK. THERE IS A KNOWN RECALL BUT WHEN WE CALL BMW AND THEY SAY THEY ARE PREPARED TO DO NOTHING AT THIS TIME AND WE NEED TO WAIT. WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR OVER 9 MONTHS NOW.

NHTSA ID

11010870

Incident

Oct 10, 2016

Mileage

38,000 mi

CONTACTED THE LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP REGARDING THE "FAULTY VANOS BOLTS" THEY TOLD ME THAT MY CAR IS NOT AFFECTED BY THE FAULTY BOLTS WEEK LATER CAR BROKE DOWN DUE DEFECTIVE VANOS BOLT

NHTSA ID

10936091

Incident

Dec 14, 2016

Mileage

106,908 mi

STARTED ENGINE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 6 TIMES BEFORE IN THE LAST 2 YEARS. EACH TIME IT WAS RELATED TO FUEL CAP/O2 SENSOR.

NHTSA ID

10749602

Incident

Jul 15, 2015

Mileage

24,000 mi

BUBBLE IN SIDEWALL OF RIGHT FRONT TIRE. TIRE REPLACED LESS THAN 2 MONTHS AGO. MINIMAL DRIVING, COMBINATION HIGHWAY/ROADS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10554368

Incident

Nov 27, 2013

Mileage

38,404 mi

THREE GOODYEAR EXCELLENCE 245/40R19XL RUN-FLAT TIRES HAVE FAILED WITH SIDEWALL BUBBLES ON MY 2011 BMW 535I. THE FIRST WAS ON 8-31-11 AT 7,317 MILES. THE SECOND ON 1-15-13 AT 20,158 MILES AND THE MOST RECENT ON 7-16-13 AT 23,433 MILES. THE FACTORY ORIGINAL RIGHT-FRONT TIRE AND ITS REPLACEMENT TIRE BOTH FAILED. THE THIRD FAILURE (ON 7-16-13) WAS ON THE LEFT FRONT. THIS IS MY WIFE'S CAR AND IT IS DRIVEN VERY CONSERVATIVELY. NO WRECKS, NO HITTING CURBS, ETC. NEVER IN MY LIFE HAVE I HAD THIS TYPE OF TIRE FAILURE. THESE RUN-FLAT TIRES ARE TRULY DEFECTIVE. IN EACH CASE, I HAD TO PAY FOR A NEW REPLACEMENT TIRE. OLD TIRES ARE NOT AVAILABLE UNLESS I COULD RECLAIM THE LATEST TIRE AT MY LOCAL TIRE SHOP BEFORE THEY DISCARDED IT. COMPLAINED TO GOODYEAR THE LAST TIME AND THEY AGREED TO PAY PART OF THE COST OF THE REPLACEMENT TIRE. THESE NEED TO BE TAKEN OFF THE ROAD BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10525656

Incident

Jul 16, 2013

Mileage

7,317 mi

I HAVE A 2011 BMW 535I IS PURCHASE NOV 2010 FROM BMW MILITARY SALES, THREE WEEKS AFTER RECEIVING CAR, MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE FORM A BUBBLE AND WAS REPLACED BY BMW OF LANDSTUHL, I SHIPPED THE CAR TO THE US MAY 2011. JUNE 2011 MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE FORM A BUBBLE; TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD TIRE WAS NOT COVER IN WARRANTY; BOTH NEW TIRE, AUG 2011 FRONT LEFT TIRE FORM BLISTER; TOOK BACK TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD I NEED TO CONTACT GOODYEAR; I EMAIL THE MANUFACTURE NO RESPONSE; APRIL 2013 I HAD CURBSIDE REAR TIRE TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT EL PASO HAD ROUGH ROADS AND THAT THE BLISTERS FORM FROM WEAR AND TEAR; SO I REPLACE ALL FOUR RUN FLAT TIRES AND NO MORE BUBBLES FORMING ON TIRES. NOT COUNTING THE TIRE REPLACE BY BMW LANDSTUHL I HAVE REPLACED 3 TIRES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10508209

Incident

Aug 15, 2011

Mileage

1,800 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE DRIVE TRAIN WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD CALL HER AT A LATER DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,945 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,000. UPDATED 4/1/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVETRAIN, ENGINE MALFUNCTION, AND LOW BATTERY LIGHTS ALL ILLUMINATED. THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. ON THE SECOND OCCURRENCE, THE DRIVETRAIN LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE PUT ITSELF IN NEUTRAL AND REDUCED SPEED. THE CONSUMER PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CONSUMER REPEATEDLY ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT, WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. REPLACED HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, AGAIN. UPDATED 04/09/2013 *JS

NHTSA ID

10495090

Incident

Jul 25, 2011

Mileage

12,945 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE REMOTE CONTROL KEY FAILED, WHICH CAUSED A DISCHARGE IN THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER THEN REPLACED THE REMOTE KEY HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE WHERE THE REMOTE KEY BATTERY WAS RECHARGED SEVERAL TIMES, AS WELL AS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT REMAINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 18,000.

NHTSA ID

10479875

Incident

May 2, 2012

Mileage

3,100 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IDLED SPORADICALLY WHEN FIRST STARTED. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FIVE TIMES HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ENGINE WOULD REV EXCESSIVELY AND ATTEMPT TO SURGE FORWARD. THE FAILURE WOULD LAST FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS A NORMAL OPERATION AND WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA ID

10476641

Incident

Jun 8, 2011

Mileage

5 mi

I HAVE A 2011 BMW 535I WITH 16,300 MILES WHICH DEVELOPED A BUBBLE ON THE OUTSIDE SIDEWALL OF THE 19" GOODYEAR EXCELLENCE RUN FLAT TIRE. THERE WAS NO POTHOLE IMPACT OR OTHER INCIDENT THAT I AM AWARE OF. THE REPLACEMENT COST AT THE BMW DEALER WAS OVER $500. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THERE ARE MANY INSTANCES OF PROBLEMS WITH THESE TIRES. WHY HAVEN'T THEY BEEN RECALLED? *TR

NHTSA ID

10467693

Incident

Jul 15, 2012

Mileage

16,300 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, LIQUID SPILLED ON THE ENGINE COMPUTER THAT WAS LOCATED IN THE TRUNK AND CAUSED THE COMPUTER TO SHORT CIRCUIT. THE VEHICLE DECELERATED FROM 70 MPH TO 3 MPH ALMOST INSTANTLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE COMPUTER WAS REPLACED, BUT THE COMPUTER WAS LEFT UNPROTECTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 15,000.

NHTSA ID

10462286

Incident

Jun 5, 2012

Mileage

15,000 mi

THE CAR WILL NOT GO STRAIGHT. IT KEEPS PULLING TO THE RIGHT SIDE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10459971

Incident

Nov 1, 2011

Mileage

1,000 mi

VEHICLE HAS BEEN PULLING TO THE RIGHT SINCE I DROVE THE CAR OFF THE LOT. I'VE HAD THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE MULTIPLE TIMES WITH NO RESOLUTION FROM FIELDS BMW SOUTH IN ORLANDO OR BMW NORTH AMERICA. I'VE HAVE FILED A LAWSUIT UNDER THE FLORIDA LEMON LAW AND WILL PERSUE RESOLUTION FOR THIS DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10456794

Incident

Apr 13, 2011

Mileage

5 mi

AIR BUBBLES IN THE SIDE OF 3 TIRES PUT OUT GOODYEAR 2011 535I I ONLY HAVE 17000 MILES ON THE CAR I HAD TO PURCHASE 3 NEW TIRES AND WAS TOLD IF I HIT A POT HOLE IT WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE TIRES AGAIN AFTER SPENDING OVER $1500 ON TIRES FOR THE BMW. *TR

NHTSA ID

10456488

Incident

Apr 25, 2012

Mileage

17,000 mi

UPON ACCELERATION FROM A STANDSTILL, THERE IS A 1 SECOND DELAY FROM WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED TO WHEN THE CAR ACTUALLY MOVES FORWARD. THE HESITATION IS PRESENT WHEN MOVING, BUT NOT NEARLY AS PRONOUNCED AS FROM A STOP. THE ACCELERATION DELAY IS BOTH DANGEROUS AND FRUSTRATING. LIVING IN A HIGH TRAFFIC URBAN AREA WITH LOTS OF HILLS(SAN FRANCISCO), THE DELAY HAS CAUSED ME AND MY FAMILY TO COME CLOSE TO MANY TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS. I AM UNABLE TO ACCELERATE IMMEDIATELY FOR LEFT TURNS AND AM NEARLY T-BONED WITH MY WIFE FEARING FOR HER LIFE. THE PROBLEM IS CONSISTENT AND HAPPENS EVERY TIME. IT IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW THAT BMW FAILS TO ADDRESS. TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL BMW DEALER TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. THEY REPLACED THE TORQUE CONVERTER, BUT THE PROBLEMS REMAINS. TOOK IT IN AGAIN. THIS TIME THE SERVICE MANAGER INSISTED IT WAS TURBO LAG. TEST DROVE WITH A TECHNICIAN AND AFTER MUCH DISCUSSION, HE ADMITTED THAT OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED AS WELL AND THAT THIS WAS A SOFTWARE DESIGN FLAW. SAID THAT THERE WAS NO FIX AVAILABLE, BUT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT IT WAS A DEFINITE PROBLEM. I WAS GIVEN A 1-SERIES AS A LOANER AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT EVIDENT. TO ME, BMW HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT WILL RESULT IN MAJOR LEGAL PROCEEDINGS SHOULD I HAVE AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10451079

Incident

Mar 10, 2012

Mileage

15 mi

I HAVE A 2011 BMW 535I WITH RUN FLAT TIRES. AFTER HITTING A SMALL POT HOLE I NOTICED BUBBLES ON THE OUTSIDE OF BOTH FRONT TIRES. THERE WAS ALSO A SMALL SLASH IN THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. I TOOK MY CAR TO BMW TODAY AND AT FIRST WAS TOLD THAT THAT THIS IS A NORMAL OCCURENCE IF YOU HIT A POTHOLE. I TOLD THEM THAT NEVER IN THE HISTORY OF DRIVING HAD I EVER EXPERIENCED A TIRE BEING DAMAGED IN THIS WAY DUE TO A SMALL POT HOLE. I AM NOW WAITING TO SEE WHAT THEIR RESPONSE TO THIS PROBLEM WILL BE. THEY TRIED TO BLAME ME AND HAVE ME BUY TIRES FROM THEM BUT AFTER I REFUSED THEY SAID THEY WOULD TRY TO WORK SOMETHING OUT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10442084

Incident

Dec 29, 2011

I TOOK MY 2011, 5351 BMW IN FOR IT'S FIRST SERVICE AND WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THE 2 FRONT TIRES (GOODYEAR EXCELLENCE RUNONFLAT) HAD BUBBLES OR BULGES IN THE SIDE WALLS AND THAT THEY SHOULD BE REPLACED. I SAW ON LINE THAT OTHERS HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEMS SO I CONTACTED THE BMW SERVICE AGAIN AND WAS TOLD TO CONTACT GOODYEAR. I WENT TO A LOCAL GOODYEAR DEALER WHO CALLED GOODYEAR AND I SPOKE WITH A CLAIMS WOMAN WHO WROTE UP A CLAIM. SHE CONTACTED BMW DEALER AND DEALER CALLED ME. I WAS TOLD THAT ALL OR PART OF REPLACEMENTS COSTS WILL BE COVERED. I AM SCHEDULED ON MONDAY TO DROP CAR OFF TO SEE WHAT WILL BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10435182

Incident

Nov 8, 2011

Mileage

7,300 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES EXHIBITED BUBBLES DUE TO THE RIMS. THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES BECAUSE OF THE RIMS CAUSING FAILURES. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE RIMS WERE BENT, BUT ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE DESIGN OF THE TIRE NOT THE CURVE OF THE RIMS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,377 UPDATED 10/13/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST TIRE FAILURE OCCURRED IN FEB 2011. THE SECOND TIRE FAILURE OCCURRED IN JUNE 2011. THE CONSUMER STATED A TOTAL OF SEVEN TIRES WERE REPLACED WITHIN A 12 MONTH PERIOD. UPDATED 12/12/11

NHTSA ID

10425410

Incident

Aug 8, 2011

Mileage

10,377 mi