UKNOWN EXACT PROBLEM. 2013 BMW 535i with the same N55 motor with the [XXX] recall. Similar symptoms: Drivetrain malfunction and "camshaft stuck" code with loud metallic clanking in upper front of engine bay. Incident happened at rough 5-10mph pulling out of a parking lot just at 160,000 miles. Oil spilling everywhere and car was losing power. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The worst 2013 BMW 535I problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical13
- Engine11
- Lights8
- Airbags5
- Fuel system3
- Suspension3
- Body2
- Tires2
- Transmission2
- Visibility2
- Acceleration1
- Seat belts1
- Seats1
- Steering1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2013 BMW 535I
Recalls 1
Exterior lighting
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, and ActiveHybrid 5 vehicles. The rear reflex reflectors may not reflect enough light. As such, the vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Risk
- The vehicle may be less visible to other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear reflex reflectors, free of charge. The recall began July 28, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 15V188000 · Recall details
See all 1 recalls for the 2013 BMW 535I
Defect investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
the federal safety agency received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, the federal safety agency opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified the federal safety agency he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by the federal safety agency regarding the subject matter of the petition.
DP22005
Technical service bulletins for the 2013 BMW 535I 399
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few...
- Engine will crank but not start
- Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle
- The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) warning light comes on while driving
- After programming the head unit (HU-H2), activating the FSC (German word Freischaltcode) Enabling Codes...
- With the court's FINAL approval, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) has entered into a nationwide...
- For the eligible vehicles, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) is extending the limited warranty for the...
- According to the customer, the airbag warning light was on, but it may not be illuminated when the vehicle...
- The Headunit High (HU-H), also called NBT, began replacing the Car Information Computer (CIC) on certain...
2013 BMW 535I crash test ratings
Government 5-star crash tests. Higher is safer. Each row is a body style and drivetrain that was tested.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW 535 I 4 DR RWD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| BMW 535 I GT 4 DR RWD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| BMW 535 I Xdrive 4 DR AWD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| BMW 535 I Xdrive GT 4 DR AWD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
2013 BMW 535I fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6‑cyl | RWD | 20 | 29-30 | 23-24 |
What 2013 BMW 535I owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
My 2013 BMW 535i (VIN [XXX] ) caught fire spontaneously while parked, turned off, and unoccupied on 11/18/2025 in Westbury, NY. A passerby saw smoke and called 911. Nassau County Police and the Westbury Fire Department responded. Firefighters informed me at the scene that the fire was mechanical in origin. The vehicle was completely off and had been parked for about 20 minutes. I was not in or near the car. The fire originated under the hood. This matches known fire patterns in BMW 5-series models from this generation involving electrical/engine components, even though my VIN shows no open recalls. The previous owner did not register the car, so any recall notices may not have reached them. The vehicle is a total loss. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Heard a clicking noise behind the steering wheel for a few days then I’ll the sudden the horn stopped working and all the controls on the steering wheel stopped working. I’m a mechanic so I took apart the clock spring stealing wheel compartment to find all of the wire broken and very very brittle. Cause for concern due to airbag malfunction and is no longer connected properly!!!I’ve been hearing a clicking noise behind the steering wheel for a few days. Then, suddenly, the horn stopped working, and all the controls on the steering wheel stopped working as well. Since I’m a mechanic, I disassembled the clock spring and the steering wheel compartment to find that all the wires were broken and extremely brittle. This is concerning because it could cause an airbag malfunction, and the wires are no longer connected properly.
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 535I. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the engine was overheating. Additionally, the contact noticed an abnormal burning odor while driving, with smoke coming from underneath the hood while at a complete stop. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
After the replacement of all 02 sensors and fuses, the fault code returns and was traced back to the integrated supply module/IVm
Headlight Assembly has issues with the seal and condensation can/does enter the headlight assembly rendering the functionality of the headlight as suspect. Without proper lighting and condensation in front of the headlight which greatly impacts/effects the clarity and visibility of objects in the front of the car creating a safety issue. The cost to replace/repair these assemblies is excessive and is a widespread problem across multiple BMW models/years.
Back passenger door handle started smoking.
Front drive shaft detached and went into oil pan causing oils to splash out everywhere.
Water pump failure with @32,900 miles on odometer. Cost to replace $2,800
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 535I. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, an abnormal clicking sound was coming from the passenger’s side of the vehicle. Soon after hearing the noise, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the passenger’s side CV joint was replaced out of pocket. Recently, the vehicle was taken back to the same dealer for routine maintenance and the contact was informed that the driver’s side CV joint was faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.
Compare the 2013 BMW 535I
Other model years
Questions about the 2013 BMW 535I
Is the 2013 BMW 535I reliable?
Owners have filed 39 complaints about the 2013 BMW 535I, fewer than a typical 535I model year.
What is the 2013 BMW 535I year score?
The 2013 BMW 535I scores 81 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the BMW 535I: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2013 BMW 535I?
Electrical system, with 13 complaints, typically around 12,000 miles. Next is engine (11).
How many recalls does the 2013 BMW 535I have?
1 recall, covering exterior lighting.
Is the 2013 BMW 535I safe in a crash?
In government crash tests the 2013 BMW 535I scored 5 out of 5 stars overall, depending on body style and drivetrain (4 versions tested).
What year does the BMW 535I have the most electrical problems?
The BMW 535I model years with the most electrical complaints are 2011 (17 complaints), 2008 (15 complaints) and 2013 (13 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2013 BMW 535I get?
Official estimates for the 2013 BMW 535I range from 23 to 24 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.0L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 20 city and 29-30 highway.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2013 BMW 535I?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history