RoadVitals

2011 BMW 535XI Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
11
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

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2011 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

  • Powertrain (other)715.9%
  • Engine613.6%
  • Fuel system511.4%
  • Interior & seats36.8%
  • Driver assistance24.5%
  • Airbags12.3%
  • Steering12.3%
  • Suspension12.3%
  • Brakes12.3%

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

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jan 20, 2014

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 · filed Aug 23, 2012
All 9 reports naming tires & wheels

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jan 3, 2016

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 · filed Jun 10, 2013
All 8 reports naming other / unspecified

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Sep 29, 2018

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 · filed Oct 21, 2017

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.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Sep 4, 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 · filed Feb 1, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Oct 21, 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 · filed Oct 18, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Feb 22, 2018

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 · filed Nov 30, 2016

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Mar 14, 2012

THERE IS A VERY NOTICEABLE DELAY WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP BEFORE POWER IS DELIVERED TO THE WHEELS. THIS HAS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS IMPLICATIONS IN SITUATIONS WHERE THE NEED FOR POWER DELIVERY IS IMMEDIATE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10434964 · filed Nov 9, 2011

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Oct 22, 2014

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Aug 27, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Aug 27, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jan 8, 2018

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

Data on this page last refreshed .