BMW 535I fire or smoke problems

Filed Jan 12, 2026 · Airbags · 129,000 miles · LA · crash

The contact owns a 2014 BMW 535i. The contact stated that while driving in stop-and-go traffic, she depressed the brake pedal, however crashed into the rear of the vehicle in front of her. The contact stated that all three air bags deployed; however, the front driver-side air bag failed to deploy properly. The contact stated that smoke came out from the air bag and failed to fully inflate, not protect the contact. Neither the contact nor the driver of the other vehicle sustained any injuries. A police report was filed. Due to the accident, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the damage to the vehicle from the accident was repaired, and all air bags were replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.

Filed Nov 19, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · NY · fire

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)

Filed Jun 10, 2025 · Engine · 200,000 miles · FL

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.

Filed Mar 22, 2025 · Electrical · NJ · fire

The car was parked overnight. In the morning around dusk , it spontaneously caught fire.

Filed Feb 10, 2025 · Electrical · 140,000 miles · GA · fire

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.

Filed Jan 21, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · 121,397 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2015 BMW 535I. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds or while the vehicle was parked, the message “Engine Coolant Level Low" and "Top off Soon as Possible - See Owner’s Manual” were displayed. Additionally, the message “Possible Engine Damages - Attention Scudding Hazard" was displayed. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that there was smoke coming from the engine. The contact stated that coolant was added approximately every two days. Additionally, there was an abnormal burning coming from the engine, with an abnormal odor coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact stated that a dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine was leaking coolant. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 121,397.

Filed Nov 30, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · NY

Recently purchase this vehicle from BMW of Greenwich. Drive it less than 200 miles - the odometer at the time of purchase had 55,000 miles, the engine looked perfect upon visual inspection. The fax report had a failed emissions inspection in the record and a second inspection days latter as apassed. I detected burnt smell coming from the engine, and immediately stopped driving it and called the vendor. The vendor has the car towed to their facility and it is there being (hopefully) repaired. I used my own computerized diagnostics tool, that showed error HO2S 12 Heater Control Circuit Specifics: Engine code P0141 – 02 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1- Sensor 2) Downstream What does that mean?  Heated oxygen sensors contain heating elements to help them get to operating temperature quickly in order to minimize the amount of time spent before they can provide feedback to the powertrain control module. Sensor two is downstream of the catalytic converter ensures the catalytic converter is operating efficiently by monitoring the air-fuel  This fault alters fuel burning and compromises the efficiency of the engine, compromising fuel efficiency . Now - There is no reason why a sensor this important be faulty, and therefore, it is my opinion that my new car could have gone in flames with me and my family inside. I have been reding on the internet that these sensors are prone to failure, what in my perspective could be part of planned obsolescence, which is an outright scam to swindle owners out of their money. If i am worng on the planned obsolescence perspective, I am certainly right of this being a very serious defect, that should be corrected immediately. I request that you investigate and request the manufacturer to recall these vehicles, as they present a grave risk to life and property. Â

Filed Oct 9, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · CO

Possible PCV malfunction. Intense plastic burning smell, smoke coming from front ac vents. Dealer unable to replicate issue, valve cover replaced under warranty. Issue persists. 2 Vehicle inspections at same bmw dealer, were unable to identify burnt battery PCM as well. Occasional check engine light, gone after vehicle restart. Under hard acceleration burning plastic smell intensifies.

Filed Sep 24, 2020 · Engine · 136,000 miles · TX · fire

Vehicle was parked at my work and the engine caught fire in the parking lot. Bmw of san antonio says oil leaked from the valve cover to the exhaust manifold. Problem is, exhaust manifold is far passenger side. Fire was top rear of the motor.

Filed Mar 23, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 75,000 miles · NC

My coolant fan is moving faster than it should because the water pump is failing. It almost caught fire the other day when my children were in the car.. It was at a stop light when I heard the fan spinning at a high rate of speed and was smoking terribly.