EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
2010 BMW 535I
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 58 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2010 BMW 535I, most frequently naming the fuel system, engine and electrical categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 91 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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 2010 | 1 | 1 |
| Mar 2010 | 1 | 2 |
| Apr 2010 | 3 | 5 |
| May 2010 | 1 | 6 |
| Jun 2010 | 1 | 7 |
| Jul 2010 | 2 | 9 |
| Aug 2010 | 3 | 12 |
| Sep 2010 | 2 | 14 |
| Oct 2010 | 1 | 15 |
| Nov 2010 | 1 | 16 |
| May 2011 | 1 | 17 |
| Sep 2012 | 2 | 19 |
| Oct 2012 | 2 | 21 |
| Jan 2013 | 1 | 22 |
| Feb 2013 | 1 | 23 |
| Nov 2013 | 1 | 24 |
| Jan 2014 | 2 | 26 |
| Feb 2014 | 1 | 27 |
| Apr 2014 | 1 | 28 |
| Nov 2014 | 1 | 29 |
| Jan 2016 | 1 | 30 |
| Feb 2016 | 1 | 31 |
| Jul 2016 | 2 | 33 |
| Dec 2016 | 1 | 34 |
| Jan 2017 | 1 | 35 |
| Mar 2017 | 1 | 36 |
| Nov 2017 | 1 | 37 |
| Oct 2018 | 1 | 38 |
| Dec 2018 | 1 | 39 |
| Apr 2019 | 1 | 40 |
| May 2019 | 2 | 42 |
| Jun 2019 | 1 | 43 |
| Aug 2019 | 1 | 44 |
| Sep 2019 | 1 | 45 |
| Oct 2019 | 1 | 46 |
| Feb 2020 | 3 | 49 |
| Jun 2020 | 2 | 51 |
| Jul 2020 | 2 | 53 |
| Nov 2020 | 1 | 54 |
| Jan 2021 | 1 | 55 |
| Apr 2021 | 1 | 56 |
| Jun 2022 | 1 | 57 |
| Feb 2025 | 1 | 58 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Fuel system3442.5%
- Engine1620.0%
- Electrical78.8%
- Airbags56.3%
- Seat belts45.0%
- Visibility22.5%
- Driver assistance22.5%
- Exterior lighting22.5%
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.govRecent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
Consistent fuel pump error code 2AAF
- NHTSA ID
- 11645545
- Incident
- Feb 26, 2025
I was told by BMW that the high pressure fuel pump for these vehicles are under warranty for 100,000 miles or 10 years. I just purchased the vehicle to not only drive from new jersey to New York and shut down. Since then it caused an accident and the used dealer is just ignoring everything. I was also told there’s an electric water pump class action suit and also something with the trunk leaking. Now I do know that a vehicle is not supposed to be sold without recalls being stated and fixed. I’m already paid 10k for the car and then 1k for a starter . The vehicle is in the body shop having body repair due to the engine shutting down. If the engine shuts down it displays fuel pump malfunction and within 20-30 mins will start again. The BMW 535i has 96,000 miles on it and I don’t think it’s fair that I should be penalized for someone not following thru with repairs let alone having an accident on my insurance now. I’m asking please just help get the vehicle running again and all future service will absolutely be done through BMW. That’s how I handled my Mercedes’ and plan so with this vehicle. I’m a single father that just took a severe beating financially and had to sell the Mercedes’ and thought buying a BMW was a good choice being I had a similar issue with Mercedes’ and they honored the repair due to the amount of time owned and still being in the mileage range of the defective part. Please help . Email-[XXX] Cell- [XXX] [XXX] Thank you in advance INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- NHTSA ID
- 11469497
- Incident
- May 17, 2022
- Mileage
- 71,835 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20-25 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER. THE CONTACT COASTED AND MANUALLY STEERED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO RALLYE BMW (1 BRUSH HOLLOW RD, WESTBURY, NY 11590, (516) 226-7947) WHO HAD REPLACED AN UNKNOWN PART HOWEVER, APPROXIMATELY A WEEK LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE SAME WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE SAME DEALER AND THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11413933
- Incident
- Mar 29, 2021
- Mileage
- 120,000 mi
SEVERAL TIMES I WAS PLACED IN PERIL WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH RATES OF SPEED THEN THE CAR STALLS ON US HIGHWAY 95. THERE WERE ALSO TIMES WHEN THE CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 35MPH. WHEN THIS HAPPENS I HAVE NO REAL CONTROL TO STEER THE WHEEL, NO PRIOR WARNING OR ISSUES WITH THE CAR TO INDICATE IT WOULD STALL. IT IS EXTREMELY TRAUMATIZING. TRAUMATIZING! MESSAGE OF "FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTION. MODERATE DRIVING POSSIBLE". CAR STALLS WHILE IN MOTION WHETHER IT IS 20MPH OR 65MPH. INITIAL MALFUNCTION IN JULY WAS AFTER 1HR OF DRIVING THEN SEVERAL TIMES AFTER THAT PERIODICALLY AS THE CAR ISN'T DRIVEN OFTEN DUE TO STAY AT HOME RESTRICTIONS. THE ISSUE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AT TWO AUTO MECHANIC SHOPS, IN FACT BY THE TIME THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED, THE CAR STARTED AND WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN ONTO THE TRUCK. THERE IS NO PATTERN OF DRIVING BEHAVIOR OR MESSAGES BETWEEN FAILURE / STALL AND AS MONTHS WENT ON, THE TIME BETWEEN STALL AND INABILITY TO START THE CAR SHORTENED FROM DRIVING1HR TO DRIVING 10 MINUTES. BMW OF THE MAIN LINE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, FUEL FILTER AND STALL AND ERROR ISSUE REMAINS. WIRING TO FUEL PUMP ISSUE POSSIBLE. THERE ARE SEVERAL OPEN COMPLAINTS ON THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. MODEL YEAR 2010 SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL FOR 535I XDRIVE HTTPS://WWW.NHTSA.GOV/VEHICLE/2010/BMW/5%252520 SERIES/4%252520DR/RWD%25252F4WD#COMPLAINTS HTTPS://WWW.NHTSA.GOV/VEHICLE/2010/BMW/5%252520SERIES/4%252520DR/RWD%25252F4WD#COMPLAINTS WIRING ISSUE DETECTED AND MAY BE PART OF THE RECALL NHTSA RECALL NO. : 16V-746. IF THE FUEL PUMP BECOMES INOPERATIVE, A NO-START CONDITION OR, IN RARE CASES, A STALLING CONDITION WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO RESTART THE VEHICLE COULD OCCUR. STARTED JULY AND DEGRADED SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER THEN FINALLY DECEMBER. $$$$ IN REPAIR COSTS THAT DID NOT RESOLVE THE "FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTION. MODERATE DRIVING POSSIBLE" MESSAGE. HELP
- NHTSA ID
- 11387031
- Incident
- Jul 17, 2020
- Mileage
- 128,000 mi
RECEIVING P0087 LOW PRESSURE FUEL, CAR GOES INTO DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION. FIX IS REPLACING HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP.
- NHTSA ID
- 11375976
- Incident
- Nov 20, 2020
- Mileage
- 150,000 mi
WHEN STARING UP, EXTENDED CRANK/SLOW STARTUP . CONTACTED BMW 'FUEL PUMP ISSUE'. NOT COVERED ON CURRENT RECALLS BECAUSE OF YEAR OF CAR. ALL OTHER 5 SERIES HAVE AN OPEN RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM
- NHTSA ID
- 11337262
- Incident
- Jul 1, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE BATTERY DISCHARGING MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVE BELTS, BATTERY, INTELLIGENT BATTERY SENSOR (IBS) SYSTEM, BOLTS, HOSE AND ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V176000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE BUT PROVIDED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.*DT
- NHTSA ID
- 11337163
- Incident
- Apr 19, 2015
- Mileage
- 70,000 mi
I HAD THE CAR SERVICED BY A MECHANIC BECAUSE I HAD CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FAULTS. WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED. SPARK PLUGS AND COPS WERE REPLACED. SOME OF THE FUEL INJECTORS WERE ALSO REPLACED. MECHANIC ASKED ME TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR 100 MILES TO SEE IF ANY CHECK ENGINE ISSUES WILL REAPPEAR. THE VEHICLE FIRST BEGAN STATING IT HAD LOW OIL PRESSURE AND WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO CHECK THE OIL LEVEL, IT WOULD CONTINUE TO JUST STOP AT 15%. I THEN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE INDICATOR WENT AWAY FOR THE LOW OIL PRESSURE. I DROVE ABOUT 10 MORE MILES AND DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION APPEARED AND I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANIC. ENGINE WAS SEIZED. WHAT WAS FOUND IN THE ENGINE WAS "SHARDS OF METAL". MANY PEOPLE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE 5 SERIES BMW ENGINES. I THINK THAT BMW IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE ENGINE FAILURES. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 11331245
- Incident
- Jun 25, 2020
- Mileage
- 145,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
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 âÂÂdischarged batteryâ complaints.
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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT
Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicleâÂÂs 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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT: N54/N54T/N55 ELECTRIC ENGINE COOLANT PUMP . With the court's FINAL approval, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) has entered a nationwide settlement with the plaintiffs in the following class action: Oliver, et al v. BMW NA, et al
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT: N54/N54T/N55 ELECTRIC ENGINE COOLANT PUMP . With the court's FINAL approval, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) has entered a nationwide settlement with the plaintiffs in the following class action: Oliver, et al v. BMW NA, et al
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
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.