RoadVitals

2011 BMW 535XI Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
35
Latest Sep 29, 2018
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
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Sep 8, 2011

What this page shows

Our database holds 35 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 BMW 535XI. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 35 · page 1 of 2

Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 29, 2018

AFTER BRINGING MY CAR TO BMW OF BUENA PARK TO TAKE CARE OF A COUPLE OF RECALLS, A COUPLE OF MILES AFTER I GET ON THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 60 MPH THE CAR LOST POWER AND I HEARD THE EMERGENCY SOUND ON MY DASHBOARD, THE EMERGENCY LIGHT CAME ON AND A MESSAGE ON MY SCREEN SAYING ' DRIVE MODERATELY, MAXIMUM DRIVE TRAIN OUTPUT NOT AVAILABLE' THE CAR DID NOT STOP BUT LOST LOTS OF POWER

NHTSA ID
11132255
Incident
Sep 29, 2018
Mileage
3 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 4, 2018

I WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE RPMS FELL TO 0 AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF. I PULLED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TRIED TO START THE CAR, NOTHING HAPPENED AND I HAD TO CALL THE TOW TRUCK. NONE OF THE LIGHTS CAME ON. EVERYTHING LOOKED FINE AND VERY MISTERIOUS. AFTER THE MECHANICS DISASSEMBLED THE ENGINE THEY SAID THAT APPARENTLY CYLINDER NUMBER SIX SEIZED. AT THE TIME WHEN THIS HAPPENED, THE OIL WAS AT HE MAX LEVEL, AS WELL AS ANTIFREEZE, THE TEMPERATURE WAS NORMAL. MY MECHANIC ASSUMES THAT IT SEIZED BECAUSE OF LOSS OF PRESSURE, WHICH IS WEIRD BECAUSE AS I WAS TOLD THERE ARE 2 PRESSURE SENSORS IN THIS TYPE OF ENGINE (N55). THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING AND PRICEY REPAIR, WHICH RAN OVER $7,000. MY CAR HAS 90K MILES AND I'VE BEEN TAKING VERY GOOD CARE OF IT. I HAVE SPOKEN TO EMPLOYEES OF BMW AND THEY SAID THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON DEFECT, WHICH IS VERY UPSETTING FOR THIS TYPE OF LUXURIOUS SEDAN. SHAME ON YOU BMW!!!

NHTSA ID
11124363
Incident
Jul 30, 2018
Mileage
90,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Feb 22, 2018
1 injury reported

MY 2 YEAR-OLD SON'S LEG WAS FRACTURED WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE POWER SEAT MALFUNCTIONED WHILE ADJUSTING THE SEAT. THE SEAT WENT BACK INTO THE FARTHEST POSITION WITHOUT STOPPING FRACTURING MY SON'S LEFT LEG WHO WAS IN A FORWARD FACING CAR SEAT IN BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE POWER SEAT HAS AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FORCE/POWER AND IT SHOULD BE REDUCED. A SAFETY SENSOR TO DETECT RESISTANCE SHOULD BE EQUIPPED IN THE VEHICLE TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING IN THE FUTURE. THIS COULD CAUSE A FRACTURE EVEN IF THE SEAT HADN'T MALFUNCTIONED AND PARENTS SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF THE DANGER.

NHTSA ID
11074337
Incident
Nov 16, 2016
Mileage
80,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 1, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535XI. AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR THREE WEEKS, IT FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (ERHARD BMW BLOOMFIELD, 1845 S TELEGRAPH RD, BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI 48302, (248) 834-7788) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VANOSE HOUSING BOLT FRACTURED INSIDE THE ENGINE. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT AN UNKNOWN RECALL REPAIR WAS COMPLETED IN 2016 BY BMW OF ANN ARBOR (501 AUTO MALL DR, ANN ARBOR, MI 48103, (734) 663-3309) AND PROVIDED NO SOLUTION OTHER THAN ADVISING THAT THE PART BE REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ID
11066435
Incident
Jan 19, 2018
Mileage
85,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 13, 2018

MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THERMOSTAT AND WATER PUMP, RESULTED IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND SYSTEM PRESSURE. INDICATING A CRITICAL OVERHEATING CONDITION AND MY CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND I ALMOST GOT IN A REAR END CRASH. I HAD TO BE TOWED TO A SHOP AND THEY REPLACED THE FAILED COMPONENTS RESULTING IN A $2,200 BILL.

NHTSA ID
11062578
Incident
Dec 14, 2017
Mileage
82,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 8, 2018

CAR WAS STOLEN FROM STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA FROM MY RESIDENT. CAR IS REGISTERED TO THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA WITH SOUTH CAROLINA PLATES. THE CAR IS NOW IN NEW YORK AREA, STRATFORD, CT AREA AND NORWALK, CT AREA- DRIVER TOOK CAR OUT MY POSSESSION AND JUMP STATES WITH MY SPARE KEY THAT WAS INSIDE MY HOME. NEVER GAVE THE DRIVER POSSESSION OR PERMISSION TO DRIVE MY CAR

NHTSA ID
11061154
Incident
Dec 26, 2017
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 21, 2017

WHILE DRIVING DRIVE TRAIN LIGHT COMES ON, MADE APPOINTMENT AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE LEFT CV JOINT BOOT WAS TORN AND LEAKING. HAD IT FIXED ON OCTOBER 2016, PAID OVER $1700. IN SEPTEMBER 2017 DRIVE TRAIN LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN, WAS INFORMED THAT THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT CV JOINT BOOTS WERE TORN/LEAKING HAD IT REPAIRED AND THIS TIME IT COST $4094. NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE REAR CV JOINT AND WANT TO KNOW IF THE FRONT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

NHTSA ID
11035448
Incident
Sep 4, 2017
Mileage
73,000 mi
Fuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 21, 2017

IT HAS ACCELERATION ISSUES ALL OF THE TIME. DOES NOT ACCELERATE AS IT SHOULD, INSTEAD IT JERKS. WHEN AT A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT AND LOOKING TO ACCELERATE IT WOULD JERK MAKING IT UNSAFE. I HAVE ALMOST HIT MULTIPLE VEHICLE ECAUSE OF THIS.

NHTSA ID
11035341
Incident
Jan 31, 2014
Mileage
55,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 21, 2017

DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION, ENGINE OVER HEATS AND DOES NOT FUNCTION THE SAME. THE VEHICLE SLOWS DOWN, SPUTTERS AND DOES NOT HAVE POWER. IT HAS DIED OUT ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE GOING 65MPH AND HAD TO PULL OVER SUDDENLY THROUGH 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ID
11035340
Incident
Jan 31, 2014
Mileage
55,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 18, 2017

I WAS DRIVING MY BMW 535 XI ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. ALL OF A SUDDEN CARS GAVE A MESSAGE OF "DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION: CONTACT YOUR SERVICE CENTRE". AFTER THAT CAR'S POWER REDUCED. AFTER THAT WHENEVER I APPLY BRAKE, THE CAR IGNITION STOPPED AND CAR PUTS ITSELF IN NEUTRAL. I HAD TO START THE CAR AROUND 8 TIMES TO REACH HOME SAFELY. AFTER THAT I TOWED THE CAR TO NEARBY BMW SERVICE. BMW DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT MY CAR'S HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP IS NOT WORKING. THIS IS TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE AS I WAS ON INTERSTATE AND SUDDEN STALLING ON INTERSTATE COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL FOR ME AS WELL AS MY PASSENGER.

NHTSA ID
11034369
Incident
Oct 17, 2017
Mileage
85,140 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jun 22, 2017

I HAVE AN OPEN RECALL CAMPAIGN WITH MY VEHICLE'S IN TANK FUEL PUMP. IT IS BEEN A NINE MONTHS SINCE THE RECALL WAS INITIAL IDENTIFIED AND MY VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN FIXED BY BMW. I CALLED THEM UP AND BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT HAVE TO BRING BACK THE VEHICLE UN-REPAIR DUE TO THE FACT THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO FIX IT AND WITH EXCUSE OF PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. WHEN I CALL THE BMW CUSTOMER RELATION DEPARTMENT LAST WEEK JUNE 14, THEY SAID THE SAME THING AGAIN "WAIT, AND CALL US BACK BUT NO DEFINITE SOLUTION". WE NEED A REAL ENFORCEMENT CAR MANUFACTURE ON THE TIMELINE THE RECALL MUST BE REMEDIATE WHEN THE RECALL WAS INITIALLY IDENTIFIED, OTHERWISE CONSUMER WITH RECALL VEHICLE DOESN'T HAVE A PEACE OF MIND WHEN DRIVING A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE

NHTSA ID
11000701
Incident
Jun 22, 2017
Fuel system
Filed Mar 13, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535XI. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTAKE FUEL PUMP WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V746000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), BUT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.

NHTSA ID
10960288
Incident
Nov 1, 2016
Mileage
61,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Nov 30, 2016
1 injury reported

THE MEMORY POWER SEAT IN MY CAR MALFUNCTIONED AND WENT BACK WITHOUT STOPPING CAUSING A FRACTURE TO MY 2 1/2 YEAR OLD SON'S LEG WHO WAS SITTING IN THE CAR SEAT DIRECTLY BEHIND ME. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10928894
Incident
Nov 1, 2016
Mileage
80,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 24, 2016

MY CAR IS A 2011 BMW 535 I X DRIVE, HAS 68,000 MILES. I BOUGHT IT NEW ON 10/19/2011 ON FRIDAY 10/21/2016 MY CAR STALLED AND WOULDN'T START WHILE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF A MAIN HIGH TRAFFIC BUSY ROAD IN RUSH HOUR. LUCKILY, I DIDN'T HAVE A CRASH AND I CALLED BMW ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, THEY SAID "THIS SERVICE IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE" TO ME. I CALLED MY INSURANCE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEY TOWED THE CAR TO THE NEAREST BMW DEALER (WHERE I BOUGHT IT FROM). THE DEALER SERVICE DEPT. SAID THAT THE CAR WAS ON EMPTY (NO GAS) EVEN THOUGH THE FUEL SENSOR LIGHT DIDN'T COME ON AND IT SHOWED 70 MILES LEFT TO EMPTY. AFTER RESEARCHING BMW RECALLS I FOUND THIS PROBLEM WAS RECALLED FOR 2010 AND 2011 5 SERIES. I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER. DEALER SERVICE DIDN'T BELIEVE ME FIRST AND SAID THAT I DROVE IT ON EMPTY AND JUST NEEDED GAS AND WANTED ME TO PICK IT UP AFTER THEY PUT IN 3 GALLONS OF GAS. I INSISTED THAT THAT WHAT HAPPENED, THE SENSOR LIGHT DIDN'T COME ON AND IT SHOWED 70 MILES LEFT. THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM OR THE RECALL. THE CAR IS STILL THERE AND THEY GAVE ME A SMALL CHEAP LOANER CAR WHICH I HAVE NOW. THIS COULD BE A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY, NOT JUST ADD GAS AND GO. THANKS, REPORT RECEIPT DATE: JUL 22, 2010 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V331000 COMPONENT(S): FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER MAKES/MODELS/MODEL YEARS: BMW/5-SERIES/2010-2011 BMW/5-SERIES GRAN TURISMO/2010-2011 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V-331 MFG'S REPORT DATE: JULY 21, 2010 COMPONENTS: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED: 6,080 SUMMARY: BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN 2010 AND 2011 5-SERIES AND 5-SERIES GRAN TURISMO PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 12 THROUGH JULY 1, 2010. THE VEHICLE'S FUEL LEVEL SENSOR WITHIN THE FUEL TANK CAN BECOME WEDGED AGAINST THE TANK.

NHTSA ID
10918658
Incident
Oct 21, 2016
Mileage
68,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 19, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535XI. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY WITH THE ENGINE TURNED ON, THE ENGINE BELT IDLER PULLEY BOLT FAILED. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE POWER STEERING TO MALFUNCTION AND THE ALTERNATOR TO STOP WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE REMEDY FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V550000 (ENGINE, STEERING) WAS PERFORMED IN DECEMBER OF 2012. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MAY 12, 2014 AND WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON FEBRUARY 15, 2016. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10837195
Incident
Feb 1, 2012
Other / unspecified
Filed Jan 3, 2016

I PURCHASED A 2011 BMW IN SEPTEMBER 2014. I HAVE HAD 4 GOOD YEAR RUN FLAT TIRES WITH BUBBLES. I REPLACED TWO AND WHEN THE NEXT TWO FORMED BUBBLES I DECIDED TO REPLACE THEM WITH ANOTHER BRAND. I HAD FIRESTONE GIVE ME THE LAST TWO BUBBLE TIRES SO I WOULD HAVE EVIDENCE OF THE FAILURE. THE COST TO ME AT THIS TIME IS $ 1837.65

NHTSA ID
10817481
Incident
Apr 10, 2015
AirbagsInterior & seats
Filed Oct 22, 2014

I WAS DRIVING AT AROUND 20 MPH WITH A FRIEND OF MINE SITTING ON THE PASSENGER SEATS AND THE CAR SYSTEM TELLS ME "PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. CONTINUE TO WEAR SEAT BELT." I CHECKED ONLINE AND ITS BECAUSE SENSORS FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM ARE MALFUNCTIONING. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM IN ALL BMWS SINCE 2006. I READ ONLINE THAT IT REOCCURS FREQUENTLY AND THAT I WILL HAVE TO PAY AT LEAST $1200 TO REPAIR IT IF I AM OUT OF WARRANTY. I WILL HAVE TO PAY ATLEAST $150 FOR DIAGNOSTICS. I STRONGLY FEEL I SHOULD NOT BE THE ONE PAYING FOR BMWS MISTAKE AT ANY GIVEN TIME. BMW HAS RECALLED AROUND 200,000 CARS AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE EXTENDED THE WARRANTY PROGRAM FOR 10 YEARS FOR THE AFFECTED CARS. THIS IS A SERIOUS LIABILITY ISSUE. INCASE I AM IN AN ACCIDENT TOMORROW AND THE AIR BAGS ARE NOT DEPLOYED, IT COULD LEAD TO THE LOSS OF ONE'S LIFE. I URGE BMW TO LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. MY CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, NEVER IN FLOODS AND NEITHER IN FIRE. I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO INCIDENTS WITH THE CAR. I HAVE A RECALL FOR THE VANOS BOLTS THAT AFFECTS THE ENGINE AS WELL AND I STILL HAVE NOT HEARD FROM BMW. INCASE THE BOLTS GO OFF THE ENGINE WOULD LOSE POWER AND IT COULD LEAD TO A UNFORTUNATE CIRCUMSTANCE. THESE BOTH ISSUES ARE LIFE THREATENING AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED RIGHT AWAY. I REQUEST YOU TO URGENTLY LOOK INTO THE MATTER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10649338
Incident
Oct 22, 2014
Mileage
44,586 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jan 20, 2014

I PURCHASED A 2011 BMW 535I XDRIVE VEHICLE WITH GOODYEAR EAGLE LS RUNFLATS 245/40 R19. THE CAR HAS ONLY 19,000 MILES AND FROM THE DAY THAT I PURCHASED IT (IN FEB 2011), I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT TIRES 8 TIMES AND RECENTLY THE REAR TIRES 2 TIMES. A TOTAL OF 10 TIRE REPLACEMENTS. SOME REPLACEMENTS WERE DUE TO BUBBLES ON SIDEWALLS. THE OTHERS WERE DUE WHAT APPEARED TO BE CUTS ON THE INSIDE/OUTSIDE SIDEWALLS. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY BMW OWNERS OF SIMILAR VEHICLE AND EVERYONE IS RUNNING INTO THE SAME PROBLEM. GOODYEAR INITIALLY WAS REPLACING MY TIRES AT NO CHARGE BECASUE THEY TIRE DAMAGE ALWAYS WAS WITHIN TIRE WARRANTY WINDOW UNTIL LAST YEAR WHEN THEY CHANGED THEIR ROAD HAZZARD WARRANTY POLICY AND NO LONGER COVER THE EXPENSE. THESE ARE VERY EXPENSIVE TIRES. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT THESE TIRES..... *TR

NHTSA ID
10560665
Incident
Jan 18, 2014
Mileage
19,000 mi
EngineOther / unspecifiedPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 10, 2013

WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THERE IS A VERY NOTICEABLE THROTTLE RESPONSE LAG OF OVER 1 SECOND BEFORE THE VEHICLE STARTS MOVING . IF YOU ARE NOT AWARE OF THIS BEHAVIOR WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD WHEN PULLING INTO OR OUT OF INTERSECTIONS. IT IS AS IF THE VEHICLE DOES NOT KNOW WHICH GEAR TO USE AND TRIES TO START OUT IN SECOND GEAR, THEN WHEN THE CAR DOESN'T START MOVING THE DRIVER PRESSES THE ACCELERATOR DOWN FURTHER UNTIL FINALLY THE SOFTWARE IN THE COMPUTER DECIDES TO DOWNSHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR AND THEN THE CAR TAKES OFF LIKE A ROCKET, WHICH IS ALSO VERY DANGEROUS IF YOU ARE NOT EXPECTING IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10516068
Incident
Jun 9, 2013
Mileage
44,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Apr 17, 2013

WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH OF OWNING THE VEHICLE I HAD TWO BUMPS IN THE SIDEWALL OF MY TIRES (GOODYEAR EAGLE LS2 LOW PROFILE RUN FLAT). OVER THE LAST 20 MONTHS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE I HAVE REPLACED APPROXIMATELY 12 TIRES. I PURCHASED THIS 5-SERIES BECAUSE I HAD SUCH A GOOD EXPERIENCE WITH MY PRIOR 5-SERIES VEHICLE WHICH WAS THE PRIOR DESIGN 2008 WITHOUT THESE TIRES. I DID NOT REPLACE A SINGLE TIRE OVER THE COURSE OF A THREE YEAR LEASE WITH MY PRIOR VEHICLE. THESE TIRES MUST BE DEFECTIVE IN THEIR DESIGN BECAUSE THEY DO NOT APPEAR TO BE FIT FOR USE ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10508517
Incident
Sep 1, 2011
Mileage
2,500 mi
Powertrain (other)SteeringSuspension
Filed Aug 27, 2012

2011 BMW 535 X-DRIVE PULLS TO THE RIGHT AFTER GOING STRAIGHT FOR A LITTLE WHILE, VERY SIMILAR TO ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT 2011 5-SERIES BMW. ALSO JERKING FORWARD AFTER CRUISING AT A LOW SPEED WITH A SLIGHT ACCELERATION PEDAL MOVEMENT. 2 BMW DEALERSHIPS I VISITED ARE CLUELESS HOW TO FIX IT. ALTHOUGH SOME OWNERS (ACCORDING TO ONLINE FORUM DISCUSSIONS) WERE LUCKY TO FIX IT WITH A SPECIAL S/B PROCEDURE ISSUED BY BMW. BUT BMW DOES NOT INFORM ALL THEIR AUTHORIZED CENTERS PROPERLY ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. AND IF YOU ARE UNFORTUNATE ENOUGH TO GET INTO ONE OF THOSE UNINFORMED DEALERSHIPS YOU WILL GET A "NORMAL" EXCUSE ETC., MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO ALIGN THE CAR, REFUSAL TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM- ANYTHING BUT FIXING THE CAR PROPERLY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10472662
Incident
Jun 29, 2012
Mileage
900 mi
Other / unspecifiedTires & wheels
Filed Aug 23, 2012

THE AUTOMOBILE HAS THE STOCK WHEELS/TIRES THAT CAME WITH THE M535 XI (GOODYEAR EAGLE LS RUNFLATS 245/40 R19). AFTER RECEIVING THE VEHICLE BACK FROM BMW SERVICE, I NOTICED THAT THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE (INFLATED TO 35 PSI) HAS A BULGE ON THE EXTERIOR SIDEWALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10472117
Incident
Aug 22, 2012
Mileage
13,010 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed May 31, 2012

I JUST ORDERED MY 3RD REPLACEMENT TIRE DUE TO A BUBBLE ON THE SIDEWALL OF MY FRONT TIRE. I ENCOUNTERED A POTHOLE ON I-90 (MASS PIKE) AT APPROX. 70MPH BETWEEN EXITS 3 AND 2, FELT THE BUMP, AND THEN AND FELT THE FAMILIAR WOBBLING THAT I EXPERIENCED THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED. I KNEW BEFORE I EVEN STOPPED AT THE REST AREA THAT I HAD ANOTHER BUBBLE INCIDENT. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THAT I'VE HAD TO REPLACE A FRONT TIRE DUE TO A BUBBLE IN THE SIDEWALL. I HAVE A TOYOTA SIENNA AWD WITH ROF TIRES AND THIS CAR ENCOUNTERS POTHOLES WITHOUT INCIDENT -- THERE MUST BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE GOODYEARS TO BE PRONE TO THIS SORT OF PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10460202
Incident
May 31, 2012
Mileage
27,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Apr 2, 2012

AT 6000 MILES CAR DISPLAYED THREE TIRES WITH "SIDEWALL BUBBLES" IN THEM. DEALER REPLACED THREE TIRES AT COST TO ME. AT <12,000 MILES LATER ONE OF THOSE REPLACED HAD A "SIDEWALL BUBBLE" WHICH AGAIN WAS REPLACED AT MY COST. I FEAR THERE IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH THIS CAR USING THESE TIRES (GOODYEAR RFT) WAITING TO HAPPEN THAT WILL EFFECT LIFE OR HEALTH AND REQUEST ACTION BE TAKEN BEFORE THERE IS A TRAGEDY. EVERYONE IS ACTING AS IF THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE ACTION IS TAKEN?

NHTSA ID
10455154
Incident
Jul 22, 2011
Mileage
6,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 14, 2012

THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPED WITH ACTIVE CRUISE CONTROL TO MAINTAIN A SAFE DISTANCE FROM THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT. WHEN PASSING TO THE LEFT OF A LARGE TRUCK (THIS HAS NOT OCCURRED WHEN PASSING SMALLER VEHICLES) AND WHEN THERE IS NOTHING IN THE LANE IN FRONT OF THE BMW, IT ERRONEOUSLY SENSES SOMETHING VERY CLOSE IN FRONT AND MOMENTARILY APPLIES THE BRAKES CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLOW 2 - 4 MPH. IT QUICKLY SENSES THAT INDEED THERE IS NOTHING IN FRONT OF IT AND RESUMES THE SET SPEED. THIS HAS ONLY BEEN NOTED DURING DAY TIME DRIVING ON DRY ROADS. IS VERY SPOADIC BUT HAS OCCURRED PERHAPS TWO DOZEN TIMES IN 7,000 MILES. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT BMW HAS WITNESSED THE PROBLEM BUT IS BAFFLED AS TO THE CAUSE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10451677
Incident
Jul 22, 2011
Mileage
1,000 mi

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