2012 BMW 535I Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 20%of 54 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 109,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the engine of the 2012 BMW 535I, 20% of the 54 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 109,000 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.
“Engine blew a year ago and I had to have that replaced because the rod bearings blew at 90,000 miles. Rear differential has failed not once but 2 times. Failed the first time 11/24/2020 and after $2200 in repairs again on 01/23/2021. Nevermind also having both from cv axles replaced as well. But the rear differential failure I have been seeing on a lot of Bmw's.”
NHTSA complaint #11389810, filed 2021-01, 150,000 miles“My coolant fan is moving faster than it should because the water pump is failing. It almost caught fire the other day when my children were in the car.. It was at a stop light when I heard the fan spinning at a high rate of speed and was smoking terribly.”
NHTSA complaint #11319019, filed 2020-03, 75,000 miles“3/23/2021 driving on I-94 in morning rush hour when engine killed. Was able to roll over to the median between an on-ramp and the highway before car stopped moving. Charge battery light on on the dash as well as check stabilization warning. Would not turn over at all but dash lights/wipers were on (raining). Towed to mechanic I've taken vehicles to for past 4-5 cars/trucks. It was found that the #2 piston ring came off and jammed between the cylinder wall and piston causing the engine to seize/need to be replaced. …”
NHTSA complaint #11416491, filed 2021-05, 116,526 miles“While driving at 40mph, my vehicle shifted into neutral by itself and almost caused a major accident. This happened 3 times yesterday and now I'm afraid to drive it.”
NHTSA complaint #11364323, filed 2020-10, 109,000 miles“Vehicle has issues in line with the recall that has been extended for some VIN numbers under recall number #16v746000. Vehicle has experienced shaking under acceleration, sputtering, flashing check engine light and, multiple trips to the dealership. The vehicle has had items noted under the recall fixed at the expense of the vehicle owner. Currently the high pressure fuel pump has been replaced, as has the battery without making any change on the vehicles performance. …”
NHTSA complaint #10958015, filed 2017-03, 115,272 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10211851Mar 1, 2022This bulletin outlines the procedure for checking the engine timing chains for wear, and should be completed in conjunction with SI B11 06 14, "N63 Customer Care Package." The…
- 10172479Feb 1, 2020LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSIONTO 10 YEARS/120000 MILES: This Service Information Bulletin replaces SI B01 05 18 dated July 2019. Engine starts poorly (hard starting) rough idle and…
- 10163029Jun 1, 2019N55 ENGINE: FC 28A0 OR 101F01 THROTTLE VALVE OPENING ANGLE. The engine malfunction warning is illuminated and one of the following fault codes are stored in the DME shortly after…
- 10163027Jun 1, 2019ENGINE VIBRATIONS OR NOISE This Service Information bulletin replaces SI B11 01 19 dated February 2019.
- 10163026Jun 1, 2019N63 ENGINE: OIL CONSUMPTION CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR PROCEDURES. While engine oil consumption may create a customer inconvenience in the short term it should…
- 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…
- 10149564Oct 1, 2018N63 AND N63T ENGINE: ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION, ENGINE OIL TOP-UPS AND REFILL CAPACITY. Customers with one of the vehicles above may complain that the engine's oil consumption is…
- 10149961Sep 1, 2018?ENGINE LEAK DIAGNOSIS ON TURBOCHARGED V8 ENGINES. When diagnosing an engine oil leak or a coolant leak on turbocharged V8 engines it is necessary to use a borescope to identify…
- 10149960Sep 1, 2018N63 and S63 Engine: Valve Seal Replacement. Refer to the following applicable SIBs before replacing the valve seals. * B11 07 11 - Turbocharger Failure: Oil Supply and Return…
- 10154818Feb 1, 2018N20 AND N26 ENGINES TURBOCHARGER ELECTRIC WASTEGATE ACTUATOR LINKAGE PIN CORROSION This Service Information bulletin replaces SI B11 14 17 dated February 2018.
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2012 BMW 535I
15 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsTires
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 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