10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
27,610 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

problem #10

Feb 242024

535

  • 57,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 535i. The contact stated while jump-starting another vehicle in the driveway, he reversed to park the vehicle by the side of the other vehicle; however, the vehicle surged and accelerated unintendedly. The contact stated that he depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle sped into the garage, hit equipment, and hit the contact's wife. The contact stated that he then shifted into drive (D) to drive out of the garage; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle sped through the driveway, struck a stone retaining wall, and entered the roadway. The contact stated that he slightly steered the vehicle to the right and hit a utility pole to stop the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact hit his forehead against the rearview mirror and sustained a bruise. The contact's wife sustained a fractured left lower leg. The ambulance transported the contact's wife to the hospital, where she underwent surgery. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The insurance company then towed the vehicle to another tow lot, where the damage was being estimated. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.

- Belmont, CA, USA

problem #9

Mar 192020

535 6-cyl

  • 5,600 miles
I was driving on the highway and vehicle sent an overheating message and instantly the power to the motor was cut off causing the vehicle to rapidly slow down with no brake signal so the rear car almost rear ended the vehicle due to the signal cutting power to the engine during the overheat message, once I was able to pull over and stop it was fine" I checked the coolant after I got home and it was at the level required, after I was able to the read the codes it showed waterpump ? I recently saw recalls for 2011 BMW 5 series on water pump issues, I would like to ad this problem and or safey issue to be noticed, if all those vehicles are being reported to have waterpump issues, L believe my car should be on that list of recalls as well, they all have the same water pump, so that would effect all models 6 clyinder,8 cylinder etc, , tthe after a month of no codes no issues, I pulled into my driveway to get something from the house, I left the car running, when I cam out it had sent an over heat signal again, when the car wasnt overheating" it was just weird, it might be wise to include all vehicles with the 2010-2011 style water pump to be replaced and look into the power cut off due to the failure of the pumps/and or their electrical systems which are being recalled, please let know if my car can be added to the recall so it could be replaced because it has the same issues as the other models that recalled, havent driven on the highway since, scared I might get rear ended, if the power cuts off to slow the vehicle brake lights should go on or some indicator to let vehicles following behind know the vehicle is slowing down, live and learn I geuss,

- Seymour, CT, USA

problem #8

Jun 202018

535

  • 70,000 miles
This recall has my powertrans not preforming as it should. I brought the car in 2017 and this recall was never done. I turn my car in to the dealership and since then I have been taking my car frequently to mechanics for powertrans problems. When I take it to the dealership they tell me they don't see a fault for the powertrans it as soon as I leave the fault returns. I paid money for numerous diagnostics for this problem and I still have the same issue. This problem occurs after reaching speeds over 65 mph.

- Folcroft, PA, USA

problem #7

Jun 012017

535

  • 70,000 miles

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

Acceleration delay from a stationary position due to turbo lag. Vehicle demonstrates severe throttle lag response. It is a safety issue when you are required to call on quick response to driving.

- Cleveland, TN, USA

problem #6

Jul 142014

535 6-cyl

  • 69,000 miles
I was driving about 40 mph and my car just died on the street and chassis stabilization light came on.. had to restart car 7-8 times to be able to move inside parking lot.

- Fountain Valley, CA, USA

problem #5

Jul 222011

535 6-cyl Diesel

  • 1,000 miles
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.

- Chehalis, WA, USA

problem #4

Aug 012011

535 6-cyl

  • miles

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

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.

- Bayside, NY, USA

problem #3

Dec 012010

535

  • 3,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 5 series. While driving approximately 10 mph, the contact approached a stop sign and depressed the brake pedal when the vehicle suddenly accelerated abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing where the technician advised that the failure occurred due to driver error. The failure recurred three times. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. An engineer was sent to inspect the vehicle and performed software updates. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 3,000.

- Eagan, MN, USA

problem #2

Aug 102011

535 6-cyl

  • 1 miles
There are two major problems with my 2011 528I august10 build. The first is the pulling to the right that the car has had since day one. I took it to the service department and they were completely oblivious to the problem. After some persistence they decided to check the car out. The struts were rotated and software updated and now "drives straight". the car drives straight for maybe 25 feet before the car starts tugging hard right everytime. I took the car back to the shop and they said that there was nothing more they can do and it is all "within tolerance". this is a potentially very dangerous issue that needs to be seriously addressed. The second issue is the initial lag in acceleration when pressing the gas pedal. When at a dead stop or cruising at highway speeds, you have to floor the car to finally get it to decide which gear to start in. This acceleration lag can be a couple of seconds and when pulling out in traffic a couple of seconds can mean alot. I hope BMW addresses these issues or I will be forced to sell my car and never look back.

- Macon, GA, USA

problem #1

Sep 042010

535

  • 500 miles
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 528I. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate whenever he attempted to slow down or immediately after the accelerator pedal was engaged. The dealer was informed about the failure and stated that it was normal; however, shifting into sport mode would prevent the failure from occurring. The failure occurred every time the vehicle was driven. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 500 and the current mileage was 1575.

- Camerillo , CA, USA

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