2011 BMW 535I Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 15%of 112 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 69,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the electrical system of the 2011 BMW 535I, 15% of the 112 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have a 2011 Bmw 535I that has front and rear cameras and I have recordings of the live footage of my incidence. I was driving through a residential street in my neighborhood to my house. I approached the gate entrance for my complex and stopped on the right lane of the road to make a left turn across the opposing traffic lane to approach the gate entrance. …”
NHTSA complaint #11399867, filed 2021-03, 98,000 miles“The srs passenger malfunction light is turning on. I've notified Bmw and have shown them that there is an open recall on my car but they have refused to acknowledge my car has been affected.”
NHTSA complaint #10944203, filed 2017-01, 101,400 miles“Bmw has disabled the safety and security features of the model year 2013 and older. My vehicle no longer has an active sos button. Among other features, the collision notification system and stolen vehicle recovery system are no longer operational. Bmw has changed software from 2g to 3g which makes my dashboard hardware incompatible and, therefore, inoperable. I paid for the safety and security features when I purchased the vehicle, and now they have been disabled. In the event of a serious accident or breakdown, the sos button cannot be used. …”
NHTSA complaint #10871452, filed 2016-05, 36,000 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.”
NHTSA complaint #10614653, filed 2014-07, 69,000 miles“When trying to exit the car and pulling on the door handle, the door does not unlock, the lock stays in a locked position even after multiple pulles. The issue has been diagnosed as the door lock actuator. This is a safety issue as you are unable to get out of the car. I was able to use the manual unlock button to open the door.”
NHTSA complaint #10915084, filed 2016-10, 62,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- 10249027Jan 11, 2024The 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…
- 10245422Nov 22, 2023Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicleâÂÂs equipment and settings, no acoustic or…
- 10238090May 1, 2023After programming the head unit (HU-H2), activating the FSC (German word Freischaltcode) Enabling Codes repeatedly fails.
- 10214990May 1, 2022The Headunit High (HU-H), also called NBT, began replacing the Car Information Computer (CIC) on certain MY2013 vehicles with option 609 (as of 7/2012 production). This uses map…
- 10179009Jul 1, 2020NAVIGATION SYSTEM - REPORTING MISSING OR INCORRECT ROADMAP DATA: Do not replace parts and do not program the vehicle. Roads can change by up to 15% every year. To ensure the best…
- 10174320Apr 1, 2020CONNECTEDDRIVE/BMW ASSIST SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS INFORMATION: This Service Information Bulletin (Revision 7) replaces SI B84 02 14 dated May 2019. ConnectedDrive/BMW Assist features…
- 10162457Jul 12, 2019Radio and Air Conditioning Functions Inoperative, When Vehicle is Moving. All audio and heating/air conditioning functions cannot be controlled when the vehicle is moving. After…
- 10161555May 1, 2019Service Information May 2019 Engine Electrical Systems B12 19 19 Technical Service. On the affected vehicles a DME software error prevents the Check Control Message (CCM) "Low…
- 10153643Jan 1, 2019BLACK SPOT IN THE CENTRAL INFORMATION. This Service Information bulletin replaces SI B62 11 18 dated January 2019. Whats New: â?¢ Warranty section - Programming information…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 7 | 30% |
| 2014 | 8 | 27% |
| 2013 | 13 | 33% |
| 2012 | 9 | 17% |
| 2011 | 17 | 15% |
| 2010 | 7 | 12% |
| 2009 | 2 | 3% |
| 2008 | 15 | 20% |
| 1991 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2011 BMW 535I
37 complaintsFuel system
35 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
17 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsWheels
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsTires
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 BMW 535I
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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