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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2011 BMW 535I Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
17about this part
Share
15%of 112 total for the year
Median mileage
103,500miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2011 BMW 535I, 15% of the 112 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 103,500 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

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

“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 ? …”

NHTSA complaint #11331741, filed 2020-06, 5,600 miles

“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 to”

NHTSA complaint #11118464, filed 2018-08, 76,521 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.”

NHTSA complaint #11308133, filed 2020-02, 70,000 miles

“My vehicle cut off while driving drive train/ drive shaft message came on which made my engine light come on shuddering with heavy shaking making weird noises which are the systems of a defected drive shaft same symptoms that apply to recall 17v067000 very scary my vehicle was just at Bmw dealership for a recall due to an aggressive fuel leak...,I asked about the recall for the drive train I was advised yes it's a recall but not for my vehicle which is a 2011 535I at the top of the recall list this is very dangerous and the 2nd time this car have put my life in danger how can you have a…”

NHTSA complaint #11270873, filed 2019-10, 143 miles

“Took my 2011 Bmw 535I xdrive with 68k miles in to get state inspection at the Bmw dealership. I was told it failed inspection because cv boot was torn and that thrust rod bushing, axle and cv boot need to be replaced. There is a safety recall that only affect 8700 cars for same or similar problem. I think the safety recall needs to be expanded. The cv boots and cv joints are a known problem by the dealers and a very expensive repair. Bmw is happy with the service revenue ... As long as it falls outside the warranty. Talking a very expensive repair for something Bmw knows about ... …”

NHTSA complaint #11098636, filed 2018-05, 68,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201413%
201325%
20121019%
20111715%
201023%
200968%
200868%
1991120%

Other parts of the 2011 BMW 535I

Engine
37 complaintsFuel system
35 complaintsElectrical system
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 30, 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