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Model Year Problem Record

BMW 535I 2011 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2011 BMW 535I: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

112Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
4Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
0Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
16Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

For each system: what owners reported, matched against the recalls on file for this model year. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Engine41 complaints

41 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 14V176000.

Fuel and Propulsion System35 complaints

35 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 16V746000.

Electrical System17 complaints

17 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train17 complaints

17 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 17V067000.

Unknown Or Other8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags5 complaints

5 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 16V832000.

Lighting5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

14V176000Reported April 10, 2014 - 156,137 vehicles potentially affected

Engine. Recall covering the engine system, reported to NHTSA on April 10, 2014. The campaign covers an estimated 156,137 vehicles across all affected models.

16V746000Reported October 17, 2016 - 136,188 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on October 17, 2016. The campaign covers an estimated 136,188 vehicles across all affected models.

16V832000Reported November 17, 2016 - 91 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on November 17, 2016. The campaign covers an estimated 91 vehicles across all affected models.

17V067000Reported February 2, 2017 - 8,752 vehicles potentially affected

Power Train. Recall covering the power train system, reported to NHTSA on February 2, 2017. The campaign covers an estimated 8,752 vehicles across all affected models.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20133
20148
20153
201610
201719
201814
201912
202011
202110
20222
20236
20246
20256
20262
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.