2011 BMW 535XI Problems
- Complaints
- 35filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 19,000miles, 29 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 2011 BMW 535XI (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 35 consumer complaints for the 2011 BMW 535XI. The part named most often is tires, with 9 complaints (26% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (7) and wheels (7). 29 of the complaints include a mileage, and 62% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 19,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 7 technical service bulletins for this model year. Tires complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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.
- Tires9 26%
- Wheels7 20%
- Engine5 14%
- Fuel system5 14%
- Seats3 8.6%
- Vehicle speed control2 5.7%
- Air bags1 2.9%
- Brakes1 2.9%
- Engine cooling1 2.9%
Also reported: Equipment (1), Steering (1), Suspension (1).
Example complaints
Tires: “Have a 2011 Bmw 535XI with 5,000 miles on it. Bumped a small pot hole and my front goodyear 245/40/19 eagle ls2 run flat sidewall busted up and ballooned. For the very high cost these tires are made like crap...there have been numerous very similar complaints listed all over the internet. Please recall to save the consumers the costly factor of constant replacements and our overall safety.”
NHTSA complaint #10443884, filed 2012-01, 5,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “After bringing my car to Bmw of buena park to take care of a couple of recalls, a couple of miles after I get on the freeway at about 60 MPH the car lost power and I heard the emergency sound on my dashboard, the emergency light came on and a message on my screen saying ' drive moderately, maximum drive train output not available' the car did not stop but lost lots of power”
NHTSA complaint #11132255, filed 2018-09, 3 milesWheels: “I just ordered my 3rd replacement tire due to a bubble on the sidewall of my front tire. I encountered a pothole on I-90 (mass pike) at approx. 70mph between exits 3 and 2, felt the bump, and then and felt the familiar wobbling that I experienced the last time this happened. I knew before I even stopped at the rest area that I had another bubble incident. This is the 3rd time that I've had to replace a front tire due to a bubble in the sidewall. …”
NHTSA complaint #10460202, filed 2012-05, 27,000 milesEngine: “Malfunction or failure of thermostat and water pump, resulted in significantly increased coolant temperature and system pressure. Indicating a critical overheating condition and my car stopped in the middle of the road and I almost got in a rear end crash. I had to be towed to a shop and they replaced the failed components resulting in a $2,200 bill.”
NHTSA complaint #11062578, filed 2018-01, 82,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
62% of the 29 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 5,000 and 68,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2011 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.
- 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…
- 10215024Jun 1, 2017Engine cooling. The engine?s intake charge-air duct limited warranty extension to 10 years/120,000 miles applies to ?eligible USspecification
- 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.
- 10041408Aug 1, 2011Tires. Bmw: changes have been made to the vehicle¿s display elements of the tire pressure monitor system.
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 2011 BMW 535XI have?
NHTSA recorded 35 consumer complaints for the 2011 BMW 535XI as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2011 BMW 535XI is reported most often?
Tires is named most often, in 9 complaints (26% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 7.
Has the 2011 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 2011 BMW 535XI reported?
Among the 29 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 19,000 miles and the middle half falls between 5,000 and 68,000 miles; 62% 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.
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.