The 2011 BMW 535i has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 301,168 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 156 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 6, 2026.
Recall campaigns
POWER TRAIN17V0670002017-02-028,752 affected
Defect
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 1 Series M Coupe and 135i Convertible vehicles, 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i, 335i, 335d, 335i Coupe, 335is Coupe, 335i Convertible, 335is Convertible, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535i Gran Turismo and 550i xDrive Gran Turismo vehicles and 2012 740i and 740Li…
Consequence
If the CV joint breaks, the vehicle may have a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear driveshaft CV joint and, based on its production date, will replace it, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
AIR BAGS16V8320002016-11-1791 affected
Defect
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2011 BMW 528i, 528xi, 535i, 535xi, 550i and 550xi vehicles manufactured March 1, 2010, through August 31, 2011. The affected vehicles may have received a replacement Sensor Cluster Unit (SCU) during a service visit. These SCUs have an acceleration…
Consequence
Depending on the severity of the crash, inadequate activation of the driver and/or passenger air bags, safety belt pre-tensioners and active head restraints may increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the SCU, free of charge. The recall began on December 16, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 BMW X5 3.0si, X5 4.8i, X5 M, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i and X5 xDrive50i, 2008-2011 X6 x Drive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 535i xDrive Gran Turismo, 535i Gran Turismo, 550i xDrive Gran Turismo and 550i…
Consequence
The loose wires may cause the connector to melt, resulting in a fuel leak. Additionally, the fuel pump may stop working, possibly causing an engine stall and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING14V1760002014-04-10156,137 affected
Defect
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i…
Consequence
If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty…
Complaints by component
ENGINE
37
2fires
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
34
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
17
1crashes3fires1injuries
POWER TRAIN
17
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
8
1crashes1fires
WHEELS
7
AIR BAGS
5
1crashes4injuries
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
5
1crashes2injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
4
Total complaints156
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Valvetronic motor and eccentric shaft is a very common issue that my specific car has. Affects the timing and makes a loud sound. Dangerous to drive in this condition.”
“Valvetronic motor and eccentric shaft is a very common issue that my specific car has. Affects the timing and makes a loud sound. Dangerous to drive in this condition.”
“The contact owned a 2011 bmw 535i. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, however the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal became stuck. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact…”
“The contact owns a 2011 bmwâ 535i. The contact stated that when pressing the accelerator pedal to drive from being idle at a red light, the driver's side air bag deployed out of the steering wheel without impact. The contact sustained burns to the left arm, right cheek, and chest area. The contact…”
“My car suddenly shut off when I came to a stop at a red light while on a busy state route. The information cluster then began to read “fuel supplyâ€� and “battery dischargeâ€� my car would not turn back on and still has not turned back on since and it's been over a month now. According to the…”
“My car suddenly shut off when I came to a stop at a red light while on a busy state route. The information cluster then began to read “fuel supplyâ€� and “battery dischargeâ€� my car would not turn back on and still has not turned back on since and it's been over a month now. According to the…”
“My car suddenly shut off when I came to a stop at a red light while on a busy state route. The information cluster then began to read “fuel supplyâ€� and “battery dischargeâ€� my car would not turn back on and still has not turned back on since and it's been over a month now. According to the…”
“The contact owned a 2011 bmw 535i. The contact stated that while the vehicle was unoccupied and parked in a parking lot, it was brought to the attention of the contact that the vehicle caught on fire. The local fire department arrived on the scene to extinguish the fire. The contact stated that it…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2011 BMW 535i as of
July 6, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.