2010 BMW 535XI Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2010 BMW 535XI, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Fuel system731.8%
- Engine418.2%
- Electrical418.2%
- Airbags29.1%
- Powertrain (other)29.1%
- Exterior lighting14.5%
- Steering14.5%
- Driver assistance14.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
2010 BMW 535XI, CAUGHT FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS ONLY BEEN MAINTAINED AT BMW DEALERSHIP, AND CURRENT ON ALL INSPECTIONS, REPAIRS, AND MAINTENANCE. FIRE OCCURRED IN DUNCAN DOUGHNUTS DRIVE THROUGH, SLIGHT SMELL OF SMOKE WHILE AT DRIVE THROUGH LINE. WHILE RECEIVING FOOD AT WINDOW LESS THAN A MINUTE OR TWO LATER, AND WHILE IN PARK. FLAMES SHOT THROUGH HOOD AT MIDDLE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT BY WINDSHIELD AND REAR 1/3 OF THE MIDDLE OF THE HOOD WITH INTENSE SMOKE. IMMEDIATEL REACTION WAS TO PUT IN DRIVE AND MOVED FOREWORD TO GET AWAY FROM BUILDING TO GET OUT OF DOOR AS ENGINE DIED, WE SCRAMBLED OUT OF VEHICLE. 2 EMPLOYEES IMMEDIATELY ASSISTED WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHERS, BUT ENGINE COMPARTMENT QUICKLY ENGULFED 1ST IN THE MIDDLE HOOD THEN LEFT HOOD AND EVENTUALLY THROUGH THE WHEELWELL. I HAVE ALL SERVICE RECORDS, AND HAVE HAD ALL REQUIRED REPAIRS, RECALLS AND MAINTENANCE PERFORMED EXCLUSIVELY AT BMW DEALERSHIP. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NOT JUST CATCH FIRE AND BURN FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND WITHOUT AND WARNING LIGHTS OR INDICATORS. CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE HERE THAT REQUIRES FURTHER INVESTIGATION. I'M REALLY LUCKY THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND THAT THE CAR WAS STATIONARY AND NOT IN MY GARAGE, OR GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. GLAD THAT I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY FROM THE BUILDING FAR ENOUGH TO PREVENT IT FROM CATCHING ON FIRE ALSO AND CAUSING ADDITIONAL PROPERTY DAMAGE. THIS 2010 BMW 535XI HAS ADMITTEDLY BEEN A FREQUENT FLIER AT THE BMW DEALERSHIP. IT HAS HAD THE VALVE COVERS REPLACED, CV JOINT REPLACED, , VANOS SOLENOID VALVES REPLACED, SHAFT SEAL REPLACED, REAR DIFFERENTIAL REPLACED, COOLANT PUMP REPLACED, OIL FILTER HOUSING REPLACED, FUEL INJECTORS REPLACED TWICE, BULB HOLDERS REPLACED, SIDE LIGHTS REPLACED, REPROGRAMMED ECT.
WHILE TRAVELING IN THE MIDST OF TRAFFIC ON BUSY ROADWAY THE FUEL PUMP STOPPED OPERATING(ON-BOARD COMPUTER DISPLAY). I RECEIVED A MESSAGE INDICATING THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE TO OPERATE BUT SHOULD BE CHECKED. I MANAGED TO STEER THE VEHICLE FROM THE MAIN ROADWAY BEFORE THE POWER STEERING CEASED TO OPERATE. THIS IS THE THIRD INCIDENT IN WHICH THE FUEL PUMP FAILURE OCCURRED. A PREVIOUS REPOST WAS MADE TO THE NHTSA #(10938620). A SAFETY RECALL WAS ACTIVATED FOR SEVERAL VEHICLE WITH THE SAME HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, BUT MY VIN IS NOT LISTED IN THE DATABASE. I FEAR FOR MY LIFE AND FOR THE LIVES OF OTHERS THAT COULD BE LINKED TO THE POTENTIAL TRAGEDY THAT MAY OCCUR. TODAY MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BMW SERVICE CENTER FOR ASSESSMENT. OF COURSE THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND I AM WAITING FOR AN OUTCOME AND FEEL VULNERABLE. I FEAR THAT I WILL BE STUCK WITH THE EXCESSIVE EXPENSE OF RESOLVING THE ISSUE OR THE RISK OF LOSING MY LIFE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TWO TIMES IN THE PAST FIVE DAYS MY 2010 BMW 535XI HAS SHUT DOWN. EACH TIME IT HAS MALFUNCTIONED(12/24/16 AND 12/29/16), THE AUTOMATIC DOWNSHIFT ACTIVATED). ONCE WHILE TRAVELING UP A HILL AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR AND ONCE WHILE TRAVELING IN EXCESS OF 55 MILES PER HOUR ON A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY. I WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOLLED TO A LOCAL GARAGE. SHORTLY AFTER ARRIVING THE TOW OPERATOR STARTED THE VEHICLE. IT STARTED WITHOUT HESITATION A SECOND TIME. I LEFT THE VEHICLE AT THE REPAIR SHOP AND PICKED IT UP FOUR DAYS LATER. IT HAS STARTED AND OPERATED AS BEFORE UNTIL DAY FIVE WHEN I WAS TRAVELING UPHILL AND IT INITIATED A DOWNSHIFT AND STOPPED OPERATING. EACH TIME THE FUEL PUMP FAILURE INDICATOR CAME ON. IT IS A SCARY FEELING, ESPECIALLY SINCE EACH TIME I WAS IN THE MIDST OF OTHER VEHICLES. *TR
HAD 3 IGNITION COILS REPLACED AT 49000 MILES. WAS CAUSING ROUGH IDLE. HAD 3 MORE IGNITION COILS REPLACED AT 67000 MILES. WAS CAUSING ROUGH IDLE. HAD FUEL INJECTOR REPLACED IN CYLINDER 3. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
BLOWER MOTOR SHORTED AND CAUSED WIDESPREAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AFFECTING HEADLIGHTS AND THEIR CONTROL. A LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE BLEW OUT OF THE VENTS AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING MOVED FROM THE GARAGE TO THE PARKING LOT AT A 3RD PARTY SERVICE PROVIDER.
2010 BMW 535XI, CAUGHT FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS ONLY BEEN MAINTAINED AT BMW DEALERSHIP, AND CURRENT ON ALL INSPECTIONS, REPAIRS, AND MAINTENANCE. FIRE OCCURRED IN DUNCAN DOUGHNUTS DRIVE THROUGH, SLIGHT SMELL OF SMOKE WHILE AT DRIVE THROUGH LINE. WHILE RECEIVING FOOD AT WINDOW LESS THAN A MINUTE OR TWO LATER, AND WHILE IN PARK. FLAMES SHOT THROUGH HOOD AT MIDDLE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT BY WINDSHIELD AND REAR 1/3 OF THE MIDDLE OF THE HOOD WITH INTENSE SMOKE. IMMEDIATEL REACTION WAS TO PUT IN DRIVE AND MOVED FOREWORD TO GET AWAY FROM BUILDING TO GET OUT OF DOOR AS ENGINE DIED, WE SCRAMBLED OUT OF VEHICLE. 2 EMPLOYEES IMMEDIATELY ASSISTED WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHERS, BUT ENGINE COMPARTMENT QUICKLY ENGULFED 1ST IN THE MIDDLE HOOD THEN LEFT HOOD AND EVENTUALLY THROUGH THE WHEELWELL. I HAVE ALL SERVICE RECORDS, AND HAVE HAD ALL REQUIRED REPAIRS, RECALLS AND MAINTENANCE PERFORMED EXCLUSIVELY AT BMW DEALERSHIP. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NOT JUST CATCH FIRE AND BURN FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND WITHOUT AND WARNING LIGHTS OR INDICATORS. CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE HERE THAT REQUIRES FURTHER INVESTIGATION. I'M REALLY LUCKY THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND THAT THE CAR WAS STATIONARY AND NOT IN MY GARAGE, OR GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. GLAD THAT I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY FROM THE BUILDING FAR ENOUGH TO PREVENT IT FROM CATCHING ON FIRE ALSO AND CAUSING ADDITIONAL PROPERTY DAMAGE. THIS 2010 BMW 535XI HAS ADMITTEDLY BEEN A FREQUENT FLIER AT THE BMW DEALERSHIP. IT HAS HAD THE VALVE COVERS REPLACED, CV JOINT REPLACED, , VANOS SOLENOID VALVES REPLACED, SHAFT SEAL REPLACED, REAR DIFFERENTIAL REPLACED, COOLANT PUMP REPLACED, OIL FILTER HOUSING REPLACED, FUEL INJECTORS REPLACED TWICE, BULB HOLDERS REPLACED, SIDE LIGHTS REPLACED, REPROGRAMMED ECT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OCCUPANCY SENSOR FAILED, MEANING THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM DOES NOT KNOW IF SOMEONE IS SITTING THE IN PASSENGER SEAT. APPARENTLY, THIS WAS A RECALL ISSUE FOR 2006 BMWS, BUT THE MANUFACTURER FAILS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR NEWER ONES LIKE THOSE IN 2010. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH WILL SHOW THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM.
AFTER HITTING A BUMP WHEN ENTERING A DRIVEWAY, WATER SPILLED IN THE REAR CARGO AREA OF THE STATION WAGON, WATER DRAINED INTO SPARE TIRE WHEEL WELL WHERE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULES RESIDE SHORTING OUT MOST MAJOR CONTROLS-ANTI LOCK BRAKES, LOAD LEVELING, TRANSMISSION, TRACTION CONTROL, ETC. IT IS THE LOWEST POINT OF THE CAR'S INTERIOR. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TWO TIMES IN THE PAST FIVE DAYS MY 2010 BMW 535XI HAS SHUT DOWN. EACH TIME IT HAS MALFUNCTIONED(12/24/16 AND 12/29/16), THE AUTOMATIC DOWNSHIFT ACTIVATED). ONCE WHILE TRAVELING UP A HILL AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR AND ONCE WHILE TRAVELING IN EXCESS OF 55 MILES PER HOUR ON A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY. I WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOLLED TO A LOCAL GARAGE. SHORTLY AFTER ARRIVING THE TOW OPERATOR STARTED THE VEHICLE. IT STARTED WITHOUT HESITATION A SECOND TIME. I LEFT THE VEHICLE AT THE REPAIR SHOP AND PICKED IT UP FOUR DAYS LATER. IT HAS STARTED AND OPERATED AS BEFORE UNTIL DAY FIVE WHEN I WAS TRAVELING UPHILL AND IT INITIATED A DOWNSHIFT AND STOPPED OPERATING. EACH TIME THE FUEL PUMP FAILURE INDICATOR CAME ON. IT IS A SCARY FEELING, ESPECIALLY SINCE EACH TIME I WAS IN THE MIDST OF OTHER VEHICLES. *TR
EXPERIENCING HARD BUMP WHEN BRAKING, HARD SHIFTS IN SPORT MODE, SLOW TO ENGAGE IN REVERSE AND HUNTING FOR THE RIGHT GEAR WHEN COASTING. THIS DELAYED AND JERKY RESPONSE PRESENTS A SEVERE DRIVING RISK AND DANGER AS THE VEHICLE BEHAVIOR IS UNPREDICTABLE AND INCONSISTENT. THESE ARE COMMON SYMPTOMS OF A KNOWN MECHATRONICS FAILURE, HOWEVER BMW REFUSES TO FIX THIS UNTIL A CODE IT THROWN. UNFORTUNATELY THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY SHOULD NOT REQUIRE A CODE!!!!! *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR I HAD THESE PROBLEMS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING BMW 535 XI 2010 MODEL AND VIN NUMBER IS [XXX] ON HIGHWAY SUDDENLY "BATTERY MALFUNCTION" SHOWED; SHE WANT TO TAKES CAR ON SHOULDER BUT STEERING STOPPED WORKING. FINALLY SHE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR IN ONE OF REPAIR SHOP. REPAIR SHOP TOLD THE BELT TIED WITH STEERING WAS JAMMED AND IN BROKEN CONDITION. IT WAS LIFE THREAT AND THERE IS NO SIGNAL ON THIS. BOUGHT THIS KIND OF EXPENSIVE CAR AND THERE IS NO SAFETY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
AFTER HITTING A BUMP WHEN ENTERING A DRIVEWAY, WATER SPILLED IN THE REAR CARGO AREA OF THE STATION WAGON, WATER DRAINED INTO SPARE TIRE WHEEL WELL WHERE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULES RESIDE SHORTING OUT MOST MAJOR CONTROLS-ANTI LOCK BRAKES, LOAD LEVELING, TRANSMISSION, TRACTION CONTROL, ETC. IT IS THE LOWEST POINT OF THE CAR'S INTERIOR. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .