Skip to content
Electrical systemPart report

2011 BMW 535I US Electrical system Problems

Complaints
3about this part
Share
8%of 36 total for the year
Median mileage
12,945miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the electrical system of the 2011 BMW 535I US, 8% of the 36 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 12,945 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I have had several problems. 1. Both head lights became filled with condensation/water. I took it to a Bmw dealership. They performed a Bmw diagnosis. I was told that the most likely case was the cold air. They checked for excess air leaks in both head lights but did not find excess air leaks. (see attached statement) they also replaced a gasket, oil filter housing. The oil filter housing was allowing oil to leak out from the engine 5.8. They performed removal and replacement of the oil filter housing gasket and washed down the engine of the oil residue. …”

NHTSA complaint #11210575, filed 2019-05, 74,943 miles

“The contact owns a 2011 Bmw 535i. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was confirmed that the remote control key failed, which caused a discharge in the battery. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The dealer then replaced the remote key however, the failure recurred approximately two months later. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times for the failure where the remote key battery was recharged several times, as well as replaced. The failure recurred and the vehicle was towed to the dealer where it remained. …”

NHTSA complaint #10479875, filed 2012-10, 3,100 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201138%

Other parts of the 2011 BMW 535I US

Tires
18 complaintsEngine
6 complaintsWheels
4 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2011 BMW 535I US

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology