2010 BMW 535XI Problems
- Complaints
- 15filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 55,500miles, 14 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2010 BMW 535XI (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2010 BMW 535XI. The part named most often is fuel system, with 7 complaints (47% of the total), followed by electrical system (4) and engine (4). 14 of the complaints include a mileage, and 21% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 55,500 miles. Of all complaints, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 7 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 5 technical service bulletins 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.
- Fuel system7 47%
- Electrical system4 27%
- Engine4 27%
- Air bags2 13%
- Exterior lighting1 6.7%
- Other or unknown1 6.7%
- Steering1 6.7%
Example complaints
Fuel system: “Two times in the past five days my 2010 Bmw 535XI has shut down. Each time it has malfunctioned(12/24/16 and 12/29/16), the automatic downshift activated). Once while traveling up a hill at approximately 35 miles per hour and once while traveling in excess of 55 miles per hour on a very busy highway. I was not able to restart the vehicle and had the vehicle tolled to a local garage. Shortly after arriving the tow operator started the vehicle. It started without hesitation a second time. I left the vehicle at the repair shop and picked it up four days later. …”
NHTSA complaint #10938620, filed 2016-12, 51,110 milesElectrical system: “After hitting a bump when entering a driveway, water spilled in the rear cargo area of the station wagon, water drained into spare tire wheel well where electronic control modules reside shorting out most major controls-anti lock brakes, load leveling, transmission, traction control, etc. It is the lowest point of the car's interior.”
NHTSA complaint #10567488, filed 2014-03, 45,000 milesEngine: “Had 3 ignition coils replaced at 49000 miles. Was causing rough idle. Had 3 more ignition coils replaced at 67000 miles. Was causing rough idle. Had fuel injector replaced in cylinder 3.”
NHTSA complaint #10641301, filed 2014-10, 67,000 milesAir bags: “The passenger airbag occupancy sensor failed, meaning the supplemental restraint system does not know if someone is sitting the in passenger seat. Apparently, this was a recall issue for 2006 bmws, but the manufacturer fails to take responsibility for newer ones like those in 2010. A quick google search will show this is a very common problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11174967, filed 2019-02, 125,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
21% of the 14 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 51,110 and 75,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 BMW 535XI. 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 RWD/4WD | not rated | 3 / 5 | — | — | 4 · 10.5% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2010 model year: forward collision warning not available, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2010 BMW 535XI in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by 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. 7 on record; the latest 7 are shown.
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024Electrical system, Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). 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…
- 10182619Oct 1, 2020Equipment, Electrical system. Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased…
- 10057568Oct 1, 2014Exterior lighting. Bmw: on some vehicles, when starting, low beam, with 0552 option, would briefly flashes, due to a faulty led main light module that needs replacing. Model 2008-14 f01, f02, f06, f07, f10, f12, f13…
- 10052612Jun 1, 2013Engine, Electrical system. Bmw: engine, due to ambient temperatures and engine is cold, fails to turn over on first attempt, but and will turn over at second or third attempts. Model 2010-2012 f10.
Other model years of the BMW 535XI
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 18 | 24,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2011 | 35 | 19,000 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Stable |
| 2010 | 15 | 55,500 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2008 | 71 | 93,003 | 0 | — | 19 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2010 BMW 535XI have?
NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2010 BMW 535XI as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2010 BMW 535XI is reported most often?
Fuel system is named most often, in 7 complaints (47% of the total), followed by electrical system with 4.
Has the 2010 BMW 535XI been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2010 BMW 535XI reported?
Among the 14 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 55,500 miles and the middle half falls between 51,110 and 75,000 miles; 21% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program.
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.