Problems · NHTSA complaints
2011 BMW 535I Xdrive problems
Owners filed 268 complaints about the 2011 BMW 535I Xdrive with NHTSA between Jul 2010 and Apr 2026. The most-cited component is tires (61).
Complaints
268
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
7
Reported by owners
Fires
8
Reported by owners
Injuries
11
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Tires61
- Engine53
- Fuel/propulsion system42
- Power train38
- Electrical system26
- Steering24
- Wheels22
- Vehicle speed control12
- Engine and engine cooling11
- Air bags7
- Exterior lighting6
- Seats5
- Suspension5
- Service brakes4
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
16
63
24
11
12
8
17
33
25
15
11
10
2
7
6
6
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 16 |
| 2011 | 63 |
| 2012 | 24 |
| 2013 | 11 |
| 2014 | 12 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 17 |
| 2017 | 33 |
| 2018 | 25 |
| 2019 | 15 |
| 2020 | 11 |
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Tires
61 reports
“6 TIRES IN LESS THAN A 3 YEAR PERIOD HAVE FAILED. SOME HAVE BUBBLED. TWO HAVE GONE FLAT. ONE FAILED ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65MPH. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PARTICULAR PROBLEM WITH THE GOODYEAR RUNFLAT TIRES ON THE 19 INCH RIMS ON THIS VEHICLE. SMALL POTHOLES ARE UNAVOIDABLE ON MASSACHUSETTS ROADWAYS. SOME OF THE INCIDENTS OCCURRED DAYS AFTER. OTHERS WERE UNASSOCIATED WITH SUCH AN INCIDENT. BOTH BMW AND GOODYEAR REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. *TR”
Engine
53 reports2 fires
“ValveTronic motor and eccentric shaft is a very common issue that my specific car has. Affects the timing and makes a loud sound. Dangerous to drive in this condition.”
Fuel/propulsion system
42 reports
“My car suddenly shut off when I came to a stop at a red light while on a busy state route. The information cluster then began to read “Fuel supply” and “Battery Discharge” My car would not turn back on and still has not turned back on since and it's been over a month now. According to the OBD results, the fuel pump and injectors were somehow seized and therefore have caused the car to become inoperable. I was forced to spend over $1000 just to get my car out of the police tow yard and towed to my home because I could not afford the cost of the repairs needed. The NHSTA website states that there is a recall on both the fuel system and the electrical system for my exact vehicle, but according to my Vin search results, there are 0 recalls. That doesn't make sense. I had just got my new inspection done maybe a month prior to my car breaking down.”
Power train
38 reports1 crash
“The vehicle is having cooling/ heat problems. Does not overheat while driving but rather driving on high temp. Cools to norm temp here and there. My best thought is electrical. Also same vehicle rattles in rear center when going 65mph.. not sure the cause is.”
Electrical system
26 reports2 crashes5 fires
“The contact owned a 2011 BMW 535i. The contact stated that while the vehicle was unoccupied and parked in a parking lot, it was brought to the attention of the contact that the vehicle caught on fire. The local fire department arrived on the scene to extinguish the fire. The contact stated that it was unknown if a fire report was filed. A police report was filed. No injuries were sustained. The origin of the fire was unknown. The contact stated that the fire damaged one other parked and unoccupied vehicle that was nearby. The vehicle was towed by the insurance and was deemed a total loss. The vehicle remained in the possession of the insurance provider for further investigation. The local dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.”
Steering
24 reports1 crash
“WHILE MAKE TURNS WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AXEL MAKES POPPING NOISE AND STEERING WHEEL JERKS VIOLENTLY. TOOK TO SHOP THEY SAID NOTHING FOUND WRONG WITH CAR. CV AXEL REPLACED ON BOTH SIDES PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS.ALSO NOT EVEN 10K MILES THE CAR WENT THRU 2 BELT TENSIONER CAUSING THE DRIVE BELT TO SNAP/TEAR.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.