2011 BMW 535XI Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 14%of 35 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 83,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine of the 2011 BMW 535XI, 14% of the 35 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 83,500 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.
“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 miles“I was driving 60 MPH when the engine seized. The rpms fell to 0 and the steering wheel became very stiff. I pulled on the side of the road tried to start the car, nothing happened and I had to call the tow truck. None of the lights came on. Everything looked fine and very misterious. After the mechanics disassembled the engine they said that apparently cylinder number six seized. At the time when this happened, the oil was at he max level, as well as antifreeze, the temperature was normal. …”
NHTSA complaint #11124363, filed 2018-09, 90,000 miles“When accelerating from a stop there is a very noticeable throttle response lag of over 1 second before the vehicle starts moving . If you are not aware of this behavior when driving the vehicle this is a major safety hazard when pulling into or out of intersections. …”
NHTSA complaint #10516068, filed 2013-06, 44,000 miles“The contact owns a 2011 Bmw 535XI. While the vehicle was in the driveway with the engine turned on, the engine belt idler pulley bolt failed. The failure caused the power steering to malfunction and the alternator to stop working. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired. The contact indicated that the remedy for NHTSA campaign number: 12v550000 (engine, steering) was performed in december of 2012. The failure recurred on may 12, 2014 and was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure recurred on february 15, 2016. The failure mileage was unavailable.”
NHTSA complaint #10837195, filed 2016-02Related service bulletins
- 10052612Jun 1, 2013Bmw: 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.
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2011 BMW 535XI
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsWheels
7 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 BMW 535XI
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