2016 BMW 535I Problems
- Complaints
- 12filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 36,000miles, 4 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- 23 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl RWD · 20 city / 30 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2016 BMW 535I (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2016 BMW 535I. The part named most often is air bags, with 7 complaints (58% of the total), followed by other or unknown (2) and seat belts (2). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 75% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 36,000 miles. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 220 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Air bags7 58%
- Other or unknown2 17%
- Seat belts2 17%
- Engine cooling1 8.3%
- Tires1 8.3%
Example complaints
Air bags: “Takata recall. I have received a notice on 7/31/2017 of a class action lawsuit regarding my vehicle and takata air bags.; however Bmw has not issued a recall to fix the air bag problem. Is Bmw obligated to fix the air bag problem regardless if I join the suit or not?”
NHTSA complaint #11012313, filed 2017-08Other or unknown: “The head unit or the car stopped working. As a result, rear view camera, all warning systems or the car including warnings for low tire pressure, warnings for distance from objects in front, side and rear all stopped working. This is a safety issue with all safety features of the car were disabled. This is the second time head unit has stopped working on the same car and the second time when the head unit needed a replacement. Seems like a systemic issue and should be investigated with bmws.”
NHTSA complaint #11391051, filed 2021-02, 36,000 milesSeat belts: “I got a notice from the car that the restraint system was malfunctioning. It said to go ahead and wear my seatbelt and go to the nearest repair shop. This is distressing and should not have happened. I’m afraid to drive it. I have no other means of transportation. My life was destroyed by a near fatal car accident in 1994 as I was enrolling in medical school. An 18-wheeler pulled out on narrow 2-lane Hwy with no shoulder. It ran through a very dense pine forest in east Texas. The trailer had only a bicycle sized reflector, and it was caked with mud. He was invisible. …”
NHTSA complaint #11529362, filed 2023-06Engine cooling: “The contact owns a 2016 BMW 535I. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the message that the engine was overheating was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle was left overnight in a hotel parking lot. The vehicle was able to be restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the water pump, plug connector, and head gasket had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11609695, filed 2024-08, 78,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
75% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 36,000 and 36,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2016 BMW 535I. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Series · sedan AWD | ★★★★★ | 4 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 9.3% risk |
| 5 Series · sedan RWD | ★★★★★ | 4 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 9.3% risk |
Neighbouring years: 2015: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2016 BMW 535I version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 535i RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 20 | 30 | 23 | $3,550 |
| 535i Gran Turismo RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 19 | 27 | 22 | $3,750 |
| 535i xDrive AWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 20 | 29 | 23 | $3,550 |
| 535i xDrive Gran Turismo AWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,900 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 16V914000Dec 20, 2016Air bagsCovers: BMW 535I 2016–2017, MINI Cooper 2017, Clubman 2017 +14 more
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2017 BMW 640i, 640i xDrive, 650i, 650i xDrive, M6, 535i, 535i xDrive, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, i3, i8, Rolls-Royce Dawn, Mini Clubman Cooper, Clubman…
- 15V718000Oct 30, 2015Child seatCovers: BMW 535I 2016, 535D 2016, 528I 2016 +2 more
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535d xDrive, M5, 550i, 550i xDrive, and 535d sedans. The affected vehicles have an inboard lower anchor for child restraints on the left rear seat that…
Recall details for the 2016 BMW 535I → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 220 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors), Electrical system. The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- 10249027Jan 11, 2024Electrical system. The 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. This document covers…
- 10247567Dec 20, 2023Engine cooling, Fuel system. Engine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel module (TFE) whendiagnosing with ISTA. The following two fault codes will be stored in the DME: 032B43 - Low fuel…
- 10245422Nov 22, 2023Equipment, Electrical system. Customers 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 optical confirmation…
- 10245364Nov 16, 2023Engine cooling. Diesel fuel injectors: ltd wty extension to 10 years/120,000 miles
- 10245365Nov 13, 2023Engine cooling. Pressure control valve (pcv) extended ltd wty 15 years/150,000 miles
- 10239605Jun 1, 2023Wheels. The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) warning light comes on while driving. The following DSC fault codes for the wheel speed sensors are stored: 480712 and/or 480715 and/or 480718 and/or 48071B They…
- 10238090May 1, 2023Electrical system. After programming the head unit (HU-H2), activating the FSC (German word Freischaltcode) Enabling Codes repeatedly fails.
- 10230717Dec 1, 2022Fuel system. For the eligible vehicles, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) is extending the limited warranty for the vehicle's Fuel Injectors to 10 years/120,000 miles as determined by the vehicle's original…
- 10230716Dec 1, 2022Equipment. With the court's FINAL approval, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) has entered into a nationwide settlement with the plaintiffs in the following class action: Isley, et al. v. Bayerische Motoren…
Other model years of the BMW 535I
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 12 | 36,000 | 2 | 5 | 23 | — | Not enough data |
| 2015 | 23 | 59,080 | 0 | 5 | 24 | — | Rising |
| 2014 | 30 | 35,000 | 2 | 5 | 23 | 49 · Typical | Stable |
| 2013 | 39 | 47,750 | 1 | 5 | 24 | 43 · Typical | Stable |
| 2012 | 54 | 68,267 | 1 | 5 | 23 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2011 | 112 | 78,000 | 4 | 5 | 24 | 71 · More | Stable |
| 2010 | 58 | 58,000 | 1 | — | 20 | 76 · More | Falling |
| 2009 | 71 | 75,434 | 1 | — | 20 | 74 · More | Falling |
| 2008 | 74 | 67,000 | 1 | — | 20 | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 1991 | 5 | — | 3 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 6 | 213,000 | 1 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
All BMW 535I model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016 BMW 535I have?
NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2016 BMW 535I as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2016 BMW 535I is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 7 complaints (58% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 2.
Has the 2016 BMW 535I been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2016 BMW 535I do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2016 BMW 535I 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2016 BMW 535I get?
The EPA rates the 2016 BMW 535I (535i, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 20 city and 30 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2016 BMW 535I reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 36,000 miles and the middle half falls between 36,000 and 36,000 miles; 75% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.