2011 BMW 535i Reliability
The 2011 BMW 535i has 270 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about tires and engine. Compared with nearby 535i model years (2009–2013), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the 535i's typical year, while the 2013 has a cleaner record.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
270
NHTSA owner complaints
4
Recall campaigns
7
Complaints citing a crash
8
Complaints citing a fire
2011 BMW 535i complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 model year, filed between 2010 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Tires | 62 | 23% |
| Engine | 53 | 20% |
| Fuel / propulsion system | 42 | 16% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 38 | 14% |
| Electrical system | 26 | 10% |
| Steering | 24 | 9% |
| Wheels | 22 | 8% |
| Unknown or other | 13 | 5% |
2011 BMW 535i recalls
4 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2011 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14V176000 | Apr 10, 2014 | Engine & cooling — engine | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5… |
| 16V746000 | Oct 17, 2016 | Fuel system — delivery / fuel pump | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 BMW X5 3.0si, X5 4.8i, X5 M, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i and X5 xDrive50i, 2008-2011 X6 x Drive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 535i xDrive Gran… |
| 16V832000 | Nov 17, 2016 | Air bags — frontal / sensor/control module-inactive | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2011 BMW 528i, 528xi, 535i, 535xi, 550i and 550xi vehicles manufactured March 1, 2010, through August 31, 2011. The affected vehicles may have received a replacement Sensor Cluster Unit (SCU)… |
| 17V067000 | Feb 2, 2017 | Powertrain / transmission — driveline / constant velocity joint | BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 1 Series M Coupe and 135i Convertible vehicles, 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i, 335i, 335d, 335i Coupe, 335is Coupe, 335i Convertible, 335is Convertible, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535i Gran Turismo and… |
How the 2011 compares with nearby 535i years
Verdicts compare these 535i model years with each other.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 0 | 1 | — | Too few reports |
| 2010 | 0 | 1 | — | Too few reports |
| 2011 (this page) | 270 | 4 | Tires | Avoid |
| 2012 | 66 | 1 | Engine | Avoid |
| 2013 | 39 | 1 | Electrical system | Solid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2011 BMW 535i
- Tires: check tread depth and date codes, and look for uneven wear that points to alignment problems.
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- Fuel system: smell for fuel around the car, watch for hesitation or stalling, and check for a lit check-engine light.
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 4 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2011 BMW 535i can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2011 BMW 535i reliability FAQ
Is the 2011 BMW 535i reliable?
The 2011 BMW 535i has 270 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about tires and engine. Compared with nearby 535i model years (2009–2013), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the 535i's typical year, while the 2013 has a cleaner record.
What are the most common 2011 BMW 535i problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2011 BMW 535i are tires (62), engine (53), fuel / propulsion system (42), powertrain / transmission (38). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2011 BMW 535i have recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2011 BMW 535i, including 14V176000 (engine & cooling — engine) and 16V746000 (fuel system — delivery / fuel pump). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2011 BMW 535i compare with the 2010 and 2012 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2010 has 0 complaints and 1 recall (too few reports); the 2012 has 66 complaints and 1 recall (avoid). The 2011 has 270 complaints and 4 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2011 BMW 535i?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More BMW 535i research
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2011 535i, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.