5.1

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
19,310 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 BMW 535 engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2011 BMW 535:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2011 BMW 535 Owner Comments

problem #7

Nov 222022

535

  • 129,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 335I. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact inspected the vehicle and discovered that the bolts used to secure the housing for the camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit had loosened over time, causing the vehicle to stall. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V176000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) which he linked to the failure. The contact called two dealers and the manufacturer and was informed that the vehicle was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #6

Aug 012014

535

  • miles
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 535I. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V176000 (engine, engine cooling) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- San Gabriel, CA, USA

problem #5

Jan 042013

535 6-cyl

  • miles
Cpsc:I1320310A. 2011 BMW 535I. Consumer stated on two separate occasions, while driving, the engine suddenly stopped. The first time the consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, they informed him, the problem was minor and supposedly fixed it. The second time, the incident occurred, the dealer stated it would take 10 days to fix the problem.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #4

Aug 012011

535 6-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

There is a very noticeable delay when accelerating from a stop before power is delivered to the wheels. This has potentially dangerous implications in situations where the need for power delivery is immediate.

- Bayside, NY, USA

problem #3

Sep 302010

535

  • 200 miles
The car has acceleration issues when not only adding additional speed while driving but when beginning to accelerate from a stop sign or traffic light, as well. The car hesitates when accelerating and there is often a lag in accelerating while the car is stopped or at a low speed, creating a safety concern. Not only is there a safety issue, but it is not how a $51,000 luxury sedan should drive -- it is rather rough and annoying to drive the car. The car also idles at an extremely low speed or no speed when the car is started after sitting for a longer period of time. In this case, I have to apply a decent amount of pressure on the accelerator even to back out of my garage.

- Paradise Valley, AZ, USA

problem #2

Dec 042010

535

  • 4,000 miles
I bought a 2011 BMW 535I on November 30, 2010. On December 4, 2010, I experienced car trouble. The engine malfunction, and reduce power warning lights came on. The car shutdown completely, but not before shaking very sharply. This all occurred in about 15 seconds, while I was driving. BMW response was "safe mode". on December 9, 2010 the vehicle was being repaired again for the same issues, they replaced a fuel sensor. On December 30, 2010, the car was being serviced again, they replaced the high and low fuel pumps. After being driven home by the service manger of BMW just to insure that the car was fixed, it broke down again on him on December 31, 2010. They replaced the low pressure fuel pump again, the second time in two days. They returned the vehicle to me on January 13, 2011. On March 17, 2010 the vehicle was being serviced again for long crank time, and for not start sometimes at all. I am also a previous owner of recalled 335, which I traded for this vehicle. Out of the five times that this vehicle has been service, two of those times it broke down while in traffic coming to a complete stop, once while on a freeway. This vehicle is dangerous. I would ask that the NHTSA take this matter seriously. There are many more complaints like this on bimmerfest.com, and also the internet. BMW will not resolve this issue. They are playing with my family's life, other BMW owners, and other motorist that occupy the roads with BMW customers. This vehicle is a hazard. This problem has been occurring for almost five years now. My opinion as a multiple BMW owner is that BMW is operating with malice at this point. Please you all are our only hope!

- Maumelle, AR, USA

problem #1

Sep 052010

535

  • 1,969 miles
I took delivery of a new 2011 535I on 7/11/10. The car was built on 6/1/10. On 9/5/10 (odometer reading less than 2000 miles), I was driving on local streets at approximately 30 mph when the car reported an engine malfunction error and the car shutdown. I pushed the gas pedal and there was no response and steering locked up. The car was pushed to the side of the road and then towed to the BMW dealership. Initial analysis from the BMW dealership was that the error recorded (fault stored for valvetronic system. Deviation too great. Frequency 1 logistics 38.) did not point to a specific component failure. The error did indicate that a certain software level should be loaded in the car, but the BMW dealership said I already had the correct software level loaded. They reloaded the software level anyway. The BMW dealership kept the car for a few days of testing and driving, but could not recreate the problem. After 3 days, the BMW dealership said that they noticed that I actually did not originally have the latest software patch level installed in my car. So, the only fix provided by BMW for my engine malfunction and shutdown was loading a new software patch level (program I level new F010-10-06-512), the previous software level loaded in my car at the plant was program I level plant F010-10-06-511. It should be noted, while the car was at the BMW dealership, they did install the fix for the fuel tank sensor recall (bulletin 121410). But, the fuel tank sensor problem was not related to the engine malfunction problem I experienced, because I had an actual half tank of fuel in the car at the time of my engine failure.

- Pasadena, CA, USA

Not what you are looking for?