RoadVitals

2014 BMW 535I Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints 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.
11
Latest Jan 21, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
37%
of 30 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2014 BMW 535I submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 11 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming engine

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

BrakesDriver assistanceEngine
Filed Jan 21, 2026
Crash reported1 injury reported

The BMW, while turning at low speed into a parking space, suddenly accelerated and the braking system failed. Airbags deployed after multiple impacts with other vehicles and a fixed object, causing serious personal injury for the driver. The incident occurred on 01/16/2026. The vehicle is a total loss, has not yet been inspected, and is in storage. No warning lamps, messages or other issues were displayed or known prior to the failure. The vehicle was regularly maintained. The incident did not occur as a result of driver error or a medical issue.

NHTSA ID
11712401
Incident
Jan 16, 2026
Engine
Filed Mar 9, 2025

2014 BMW 535i Oil housing filter started leaking oil into serpentine belt causing the belt to shred and snap then was sucked into the crankshaft causing the motor to seize. Car was towed to bmw dealership and was diagnosed with catastrophic engine failure resulting in $28,000 estimate for engine replacement. Then vehicle was towed to licensed BMW repair facility and was repaired for $15,000 engine replacement.

NHTSA ID
11647235
Incident
Mar 9, 2024
ElectricalEngine
Filed Nov 27, 2024

The contact owns a 2014 BMW 535I. The contact stated that the engine cooling fan was running at abnormal high speed upon starting the vehicle and while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently, and the vehicle hesitated to respond while driving and depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with defective water pump and water pump electrical system. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in an undisclosed recall. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

NHTSA ID
11627692
Incident
Nov 13, 2024
Mileage
135,000 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 9, 2022

Possible PCV malfunction. Intense plastic burning smell, smoke coming from front ac vents. Dealer unable to replicate issue, valve cover replaced under warranty. Issue persists. 2 Vehicle inspections at same bmw dealer, were unable to identify burnt battery PCM as well. Occasional check engine light, gone after vehicle restart. Under hard acceleration burning plastic smell intensifies.

NHTSA ID
11488539
Incident
Nov 1, 2021
Engine
Filed Jun 22, 2022

Ken Cook <[email protected]> Sun, Jun 19, 4:10 PM (3 days ago) to nhtsa.webmaster i found car online cr gurus and it was certified and car fax no problems, i used my savings of 5000 for down payment closed the deal and was coming down on weekend to get vehicle. coworker came and is witness. we get to Wilkins and the salesman who i talked to is nowhere to be found another person closes deal and brings up oil leak. i'm mad but here. i ask for them to subtract cost of oil leak from down payment, they said no.they said a warranty on car i took ti bmw they told me engine might lock up. i called dealership no help and warranty was only for tires and windshield. im livid. i called all politicians and government. and my car is locked up and i still pay 400 a month to finance company and car does not work can’t afford to purchase engine or car. i need your help making them replace engine. i have a witness witness . i was taken advantage pf im a honorable veteran and i was swindled. i just want the car fix and driving like it is supposed to by dealer this oil leak i have taken in 5 different times and only driven the car 5 months anhd i stay current on maitenamnce and this last trip the engine locked up at 70k miles. i bought at 60k miles and each dealership has told me to contact wilkins hyundai in illinios and report because this is wrong and i have but they have ignored me. i contacted Bmw and they have also tried to avoid my situaation. i am without a working vehicle and i am still financing this vehicle. my family is broken i am on the verge of losing my job i am getting counseling for mental health at the VA medical center now and i am an honorable Veteran this has caused me to become homeless. they are obligated to repair this vehicle and if a lawsuit must occur or legal action i am 100 with this because this was deceptive and fraudulent! please help

NHTSA ID
11470380
Incident
Oct 2, 2021
Engine
Filed May 24, 2022

The contact owns a 2014 BMW 535i. The contact stated that after receiving the vehicle back from the dealer after a collision repair, the steering wheel seized while driving. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that a faulty oil gasket damaged the serpentine belt, causing an oil leak. The dealer informed the contact that the serpentine belt and drive belt needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 179,000.

NHTSA ID
11465966
Incident
May 21, 2022
Mileage
179,000 mi
EngineSuspension
Filed Oct 13, 2021

you have serious construction going on at 21425 spring street at the veteran shelter where i stay. well the crew dug up sections of the road and cut it where it is a Sharpe dip to go up and down. i went over one at 1am on my way to work and it hit my undercarriage the following morning my car was leaking oil and now the ignition and battery are out ! i ask my insurance but it is not and accident it is damage to my vehicle that i cant afford and i need to get to work. now im in a hotel room trying to save the couple grand it will take to fix. i was told that you would help or even fix this because of the construction damage and so i am reaching out to you for your help? that is union grove wisconsin

NHTSA ID
11436645
Incident
Sep 30, 2021
Engine
Filed Sep 1, 2020

RECALL COOLANT LEAK WITHIN ERG. MY ENGINE HAS DEVELOPED A STRANGE TICKING SOUND.

NHTSA ID
11352505
Incident
Apr 6, 2020
Mileage
15 mi
Engine
Filed May 9, 2016

DRIVING 70MPH ON HIGHWAY 85 SOUTH. VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING SHUT OFF. ALL POWER LOST. POWER STEERING LOST. WARNING DISPLAY INDICATED DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLY INOPERABLE. VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AFTER SHUTTING DOWN ON HIGHWAY AND HAD TO BE PUSHED TO SAFETY AND THEN TOWED.

NHTSA ID
10863900
Incident
May 7, 2016
Mileage
38,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Aug 19, 2014
Crash reported

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR BECAME UNDRIVABLE . IT WAS TAKEN AT THE DEALERVFACILITY -NEW CAR , WITH 180 MILES ON IT - FOR THE ENGINE ISSUE AND STATE EMISSION STICKER. THE CAR WAS NEVER RETURNED, DUE TO ENGINE VALVE FAILURE - LOSE PIPES AT THE FINAL ASSY OF THE ENGINE COMPONENTS . *TR

NHTSA ID
10626307
Incident
Mar 7, 2014
Mileage
180 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 26, 2014

ENGINE VALVE FAILURE , DIAGNOSED AT BMW -GALLERY ,NORWOOD, MA , FACILITY . THE ENGINE VALVE REQUIRED FULL REPLACEMENT . THE CAR HAD BEEN QUALIFIED AS " LEMON CAR " . COULD NOT PASS THE STATE EMISSION TEST . *TR

NHTSA ID
10606223
Incident
Mar 6, 2014
Mileage
500 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .