RoadVitals

2013 BMW 535XI

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
4
Latest Jul 27, 2018
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Mar 31, 2015
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
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.
1
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2013 BMW 535XI, most frequently naming the body & structure, brakes and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 11 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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Body & structure116.7%
  • Brakes116.7%
  • Engine116.7%
  • Powertrain (other)116.7%
  • Suspension116.7%
  • Tires & wheels116.7%

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.gov
15V188000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Mar 31, 2015
13,443 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, and ActiveHybrid 5 vehicles. The rear reflex reflectors may not reflect enough light. As such, the vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk: The vehicle may be less visible to other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear reflex reflectors, free of charge. The recall began July 28, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

EnginePowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Jul 27, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 535XI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, A CLICKING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE UNIVERSAL JOINT FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE OIL PAN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000. *TT UPDATED 10/02/18*JB

NHTSA ID
11114054
Incident
Jul 23, 2018
Mileage
106,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 11, 2017
1 injury reported

CPSC:THIS CAR HAS A DESIGN FLAW THAT CREATES THE ACCUMULATION OF MOISTURE INSIDE THE VENTILATION SYSTEM AND THE GROWTH OF MOLD.*BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE FREQUENT RIDERS OF THE VEHICLE WERE EXPERIENCING RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS AND ASTHMA LIKE SYMPTOMS. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND DI D NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. *JS ...UPDATED 10/17/17 *BF UPDATED 7/17/18*JB *TR

NHTSA ID
11023128
Incident
Aug 17, 2017
Tires & wheels
Filed Mar 13, 2014

BOTH FRONT TIRES DEVELOPED A BUBBLE AFTER GOING OVER A SMALL POTHOLE/BUMP AT UNDER 30MPH. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH THIS CAR THAT I HAVE OWNED FOR JUST OVER 7 MONTHS AND 3500 MILES. THESE STOCK TIRES ON 2013 BMW 535XI AWD WITH M SPORT PACKAGE -- GOODYEAR EAGLE LS2 - SIZE 245/40R19 -- 98V CLEARLY HAVE A DESIGN FLAW OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND MUST BE RECALLED. IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN WHEN DRIVING OVER VERY MINOR ROAD HAZARDS MIGHT CAUSE TIRE BLISTERS THAT COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A BLOWOUT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10568941
Incident
Mar 12, 2014
Mileage
3,550 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 21, 2013
Crash reported1 injury reported

ON SUNDAY, AUG. 11, 2013 WHILE TRAVELING IN HEAVY STOP AND GO TRAFFIC ON I-90W, MASS. PIKE NEAR EXIT 10A, TRAFFIC ABOUT 100 YARDS AHEAD STOPPED IN THE TRAVEL LANE. I TAPPED THE BRAKES WITH NO RESPONSE AND PROCEEDED TO APPLY ADDITIONAL PRESSURE, AGAIN NO RESPONSE. MY NEW BMW CRASHED, AT ABOUT 40 MPH, INTO THE REAR OF A VEHICLE IN MY TRAVEL LANE PUSHING THAT VEHICLE INTO THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF IT CAUSING A FOUR CAR CHAIN REACTION ACCIDENT. NO ONE IN THE OTHER THREE CARS CLAIMED TO BE INJURED. MY WIFE RIDING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SUSTAINED A CONTUSION, DEPLOYED AIRBAG, ON HER LEG BELOW HER KNEE AND A CHEST PAIN. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS. ALL AIRBAGS (6) IN THE FRONT SEAT COMPARTMENT DEPLOYED.THE WEATHER WAS SUNNY WITH NO PRECIPITATION AND THE ROADWAY WAS DRY. INITIAL APPRAISAL OF THE BMW DAMAGE IS $18,000+ WITH SUPPLEMENTAL APPRAISALS DUE ON THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHEN AUTO BODY EXPERTS CAN RAISE THE HOOD....UPDATED 09-26-13 *BF UPDATED 09/26/2013 *JS *TR

NHTSA ID
10536488
Incident
Aug 11, 2013
Mileage
502 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

B510819

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

B611305

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 “discharged battery” complaints.

B160623

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

B653423

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicle’s 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.

B170318

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Butt connector for repairing a plug connection. The ?top up coolant? message is displayed in the central display (CC message ID 166). When checking the cooling system there are no leaks found and the expansion tank is filled to the proper level.

SIM010917

EQUIPMENT

Shipping specific non-deployed vehicle safety devices to lighting resources, llc. This service Information bulletin provides information on shipping "specific" noin-deployed vehicle safety devices that are classified as Dangerous Goods (DG) to Lighting resources, LLC

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

BMW 535XI by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2014011—
2013Viewing410—
2012180028.3
2011350033.1
2010150038.2
2008710033.2
2007100—

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.