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Exterior lightingPart report

2012 BMW 535I Exterior lighting Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
7%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 4 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2012 BMW 535I, 7% 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.

“The headlight get condensation inside which reduces intensity of head light. This condensation has now corrupted the adaptive headlight control module which made the turn signal not work. The design of the head light mounting makes for a very expensive repair and/or replacement by have to remove bumper just to get to headlight. 1. Condensation reduces intensity of headlights 2. Moisture corroded adaptive headlight controller module that also made turn signal not work. 3. Very complicated access to headlight to repair (very expensive)”

NHTSA complaint #11397518, filed 2021-02, 109,000 miles

“While driving car stalled, dropped speed and engine warning light came on. Fuel pump was needed. Had to have car towed obtained a rental for 11 days. Fuel pump out of stock. Immediately after fuel pump was replaced less than two weeks the thermostat had to be replaced. Another tow and another rental. I need to be compensated for stress aggravation and loss of use. Repairs and car rental and tow cost over $3500”

NHTSA complaint #11432548, filed 2021-09

“The front lights - water gets in impact visibility. The only repair is to replace the entire unit which is $2k per light. There is not other options. The adaptive warning sign does not go away due to this water.”

NHTSA complaint #11473074, filed 2022-07

“The headlights on the BMW 535 collect excessive amounts of condensation. If the condensation builds up, then the light does not function properly. The main safety concern is the malfunction of the turn signal. It will function in the rear of the vehicle but does not light up on the front in the affected headlight housing. Review of this problem on-line shows that this has occurred in many BMW vehicles and BMW also has issued a service bulletin for this problem (SI B63 05 16). As widespread as this problem is, I would think there would be a required recall for this service.”

NHTSA complaint #11506957, filed 2023-02

Related service bulletins

Exterior lighting: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2015313%
2014310%
2013821%
201247%
201154%
201023%
200923%
20081622%

Other parts of the 2012 BMW 535I

Fuel system
15 complaints
Engine
11 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
10 complaints
Electrical system
9 complaints
Air bags
6 complaints
Steering
4 complaints
Brakes
3 complaints
Engine cooling
3 complaints
Seat belts
3 complaints
Seats
3 complaints
Tires
3 complaints
Wheels
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2012 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