10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
60,822 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 BMW 535 engine problems

engine problem

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2011 BMW 535 Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #23

Dec 282017

535

  • 89,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While make turns while driving the vehicle axel makes popping noise and steering wheel jerks violently. Took to shop they said nothing found wrong with car. Cv axel replaced on both sides problem still persists.also not even 10K miles the car went thru 2 belt tensioner causing the drive belt to snap/tear.

- Elkhart, IN, USA

problem #22

Sep 272018

535

  • 170,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 535I. While driving 65 mph, the contact heard a loud popping sound from the center of the vehicle. The contact pulled the vehicle over and noticed oil dripping from the oil pan. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the drive shaft and oil pan needed to be replaced. The contact was also informed that the cv joint fractured, which caused the damage to the oil pan. The vehicle was not repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V067000 (power train) and that there would be no assistance with having the vehicle repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

- El Dorado Hill, CA, USA

problem #21

Jul 302018

535

  • 90,000 miles
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!!!

- New City, NY, USA

problem #20

Aug 062018

535

  • 76,521 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving my family and my enging cut off on and the car would not start nor go into any gear took it to my mechanic and was told that my car might be on a recall list because it jas reach over 70000mi now I don't know what to

- Richmondhill, NY, USA

problem #19

Jun 202017

535

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 535I. The contact stated that the vehicle shook violently and hesitated while driving various speeds. In addition, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to BMW of manhattan (555 w 57th St, New York, NY) on various occasions, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The dealer replaced various components on the vehicle; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

- New York, NY, USA

problem #18

Jun 012017

535

  • 73,600 miles
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 535I. While the contact's vehicle was being serviced, the independent mechanic discovered that the engine's plastic oil filter housing was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Later, while driving, a message displayed indicating that the engine experienced a failure. The vehicle was towed to casey BMW (12861 jefferson ave, newport news, va) where it was diagnosed that the water pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Soon after the repair, a burning odor was present inside the vehicle while driving. Upon inspection, it was discovered that oil had leaked from the plastic oil filter housing onto the engine pulley. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the oil filter housing unit and the engine pulley needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 73,600.

- Accokeek, MD, USA

problem #17

Jan 192018

535

  • 85,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Canton, MI, USA

problem #16

Dec 142017

535

  • 82,000 miles
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.

- Sterling Heights, MI, USA

problem #15

Oct 102017

535

  • 86,009 miles
Our 2011 BMW 535I experienced a failure of the vanos bolts which made the car inoperable and required a $5,000 repair. Research revealed that BMW recalled approximately 165,000 cars manufactured in the same time frame as our car for the same problem and extended the warranty for many others. When we contacted BMW North America about the repair cost they would provide no information about why our car was not included in the recall/extended warranty. We would like to know which cars were recalled by BMW and better understand why our car was excluded.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

problem #14

Sep 222017

535

  • 64,000 miles
Positive crankcase ventilation PCV valve heater this is a recall BMW states remedy not available yet.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #13

May 122017

535

  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 535I. While the vehicle was at a traffic light, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer located on 43 North ave, bridgeport, ct 06606, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V746000 (fuel system, gasoline); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

- New Haven, CT, USA

problem #12

Dec 112016

535

  • 48,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 5-series. When the accelerator pedal was depressed, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle did not restart. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the timing chain failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 16V746000 (fuel system, gasoline). The approximate failure mileage was 48,000.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #11

Apr 012016

535

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 535I. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 14V176000 (engine and engine cooling). After the repair, the vehicle experienced engine failure. The vehicle was repaired by an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.

- Zebulon, NC, USA

problem #10

Sep 192016

535

  • 88,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 535I. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a complete loss of power and could not be operated. The failure occurred without warning. The contact found that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V176000 (engine and engine cooling). The dealer refused to repair the vehicle because the technician suggested that the battery needed to be replaced first. The manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Uniondale, NY, USA

problem #9

May 132016

535

  • 135,000 miles
My car stalled while driving around 50 mph on a 4-lane highway on 13 May 2016. It stopped in the middle of the road blocking traffic. I was able to back the car off the road (into oncoming traffic) with much difficulty because all systems were shut down. I called aaa and waited. The car started after I waited about 20 minutes and I cancelled the aaa tow. This happened several times before, the last time was when I had about 70,000 miles on the car. The car was recalled, I took it to the dealer and it did not happen again until last week. I now have 135,000 miles on the car. This is a very dangerous issue. I had to authorize the prescribed repair. This seems to be recurring defect that BMW should repair in all of these cars. Dealer tells be that it is a fuel pump and filter problem. This is not what was repaired at 70,000 miles.

- Chadds Ford, PA, USA

problem #8

Mar 012016

535

  • miles
Fuel system. Latley I have been driving me 2011 bmws 535I and have been having some scary problems with it. Last week I was on the highway driving 65 mph when I noticed the power of car was turning on and off. (headlights, dash lights, car power everything) it then completely shut off on the freeway. Luckily I was close to the shoulder and pulled over. Prior to this incident, my car was left at the BMW dealership in san diego for a full inspection and nothing was brought to my attention. After doing some research, I see that I am one of the thousands that are experiencing this same problem. Fuel pump and injectors gone bad. Please push for a recall!

- Spring Valley, CA, USA

problem #7

Mar 012016

535

  • 38,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 535I. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine cylinder misfired. In addition, the spark plugs, the ignition coils, the fuel pump, and the fuel injectors needed to be replaced and the software needed to be updated. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 38,000.

- Royal Oak, MI, USA

problem #6

Feb 012012

535

  • miles
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.

- Jim Thorpe, PA, USA

problem #5

Jun 012014

535

  • 59,000 miles
Again, I received a recall in the mail regarding recall 14V-176: Vanos assembly bolts since June 2014 and today is Sept 25th, I still haven't gotten an answer as to if they have parts to replaced this recall. I called the el cajon BMW dealership in California san diego where I purchased my used BMW from and they kept on saying they don't have parts for my car yet BMW hasn't supplied them with the parts for the recall. Im concern for my safety and my family's safety and want to file a complaint for my vehicle. Please inform me of what to do? and if U can contact BMW.... its been 4 months of my recall letter and I'm tired of calling them.

- Chula Vista , CA, USA

problem #4

Aug 012014

535

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 535I. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 14V176000 (engine); however, the part needed for the repair was unavailable. The dealer did not provide a specific date as to when the part would become available. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Neshanic Station, NJ, USA

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