Check a VIN

2011 BMW 535XI problems

The most common problem on the 2011 BMW 535XI is tires, typically around 6,000 miles. It has 1.9 times the complaints of a typical 535XI model year.

Typical year1.9x the typical complaints
Year score
51/100
Owner complaints
35
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
8
Worst area
Tires

The worst 2011 BMW 535XI problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Tires
    9
  • Transmission
    7
  • Wheels
    7
  • Engine
    6
  • Fuel system
    5

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Tires
    9
  • Transmission
    7
  • Wheels
    7
  • Engine
    6
  • Fuel system
    5
  • Seats
    3
  • Acceleration
    2
  • Airbags
    1
  • Brakes
    1
  • Steering
    1
  • Suspension
    1

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Technical service bulletins for the 2011 BMW 535XI 8

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

What 2011 BMW 535XI owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 29, 2018 · Transmission · 3 miles · CA

After bringing my car to bmw of buena park to take care of a couple of recalls, a couple of miles after I get on the freeway at about 60 MPH the car lost power and I heard the emergency sound on my dashboard, the emergency light came on and a message on my screen saying ' drive moderately, maximum drive train output not available' the car did not stop but lost lots of power

Filed Sep 4, 2018 · Engine · 90,000 miles · NY

I was driving 60 MPH when the engine seized. The rpms fell to 0 and the steering wheel became very stiff. I pulled on the side of the road tried to start the car, nothing happened and I had to call the tow truck. None of the lights came on. Everything looked fine and very misterious. After the mechanics disassembled the engine they said that apparently cylinder number six seized. At the time when this happened, the oil was at he max level, as well as antifreeze, the temperature was normal. My mechanic assumes that it seized because of loss of pressure, which is weird because as I was told there are 2 pressure sensors in this type of engine (n55). This is very frustrating and pricey repair, which ran over $7,000. My car has 90k miles and I've been taking very good care of it. I have spoken to employees of bmw and they said that this is very common defect, which is very upsetting for this type of luxurious sedan. Shame on you bmw!!!

Filed Feb 22, 2018 · Seats · 80,000 miles · WI · 1 injury

My 2 year-old son's leg was fractured when the driver's side power seat malfunctioned while adjusting the seat. The seat went back into the farthest position without stopping fracturing my son's left leg who was in a forward facing car seat in back. The vehicle was parked at the time of the incident. The power seat has an excessive amount of force/power and it should be reduced. A safety sensor to detect resistance should be equipped in the vehicle to prevent this from happening in the future. This could cause a fracture even if the seat hadn't malfunctioned and parents should be made aware of the danger.

Filed Feb 1, 2018 · Engine · 85,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 bmw 535xi. After the vehicle had been parked for three weeks, it failed to start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (erhard bmw bloomfield, 1845 s telegraph rd, bloomfield hills, mi 48302, (248) 834-7788) where it was diagnosed that the vanose housing bolt fractured inside the engine. The dealer indicated that the engine assembly needed to be replaced. The manufacturer stated that an unknown recall repair was completed in 2016 by bmw of ann arbor (501 auto mall dr, ann arbor, mi 48103, (734) 663-3309) and provided no solution other than advising that the part be replaced. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

Filed Jan 13, 2018 · Engine · 82,000 miles · MI

Malfunction or failure of thermostat and water pump, resulted in significantly increased coolant temperature and system pressure. Indicating a critical overheating condition and my car stopped in the middle of the road and I almost got in a rear end crash. I had to be towed to a shop and they replaced the failed components resulting in a $2,200 bill.

Filed Jan 8, 2018 · Brakes · NC

Car was stolen from state of north carolina from my resident. Car is registered to the state of south carolina with south carolina plates. The car is now in new york area, stratford, ct area and norwalk, ct area- driver took car out my possession and jump states with my spare key that was inside my home. Never gave the driver possession or permission to drive my car

Filed Oct 21, 2017 · Transmission · 73,000 miles · NJ

While driving drive train light comes on, made appointment and was informed that the left cv joint boot was torn and leaking. Had it fixed on october 2016, paid over $1700. In september 2017 drive train light comes on again, was informed that the left and the right cv joint boots were torn/leaking had it repaired and this time it cost $4094. Noticed that there was a recall for the rear cv joint and want to know if the front should be included in the recall.

Filed Oct 21, 2017 · Fuel system, Transmission · 55,000 miles · CT

It has acceleration issues all of the time. Does not accelerate as it should, instead it jerks. When at a stop sign or light and looking to accelerate it would jerk making it unsafe. I have almost hit multiple vehicle ecause of this.

Filed Oct 21, 2017 · Transmission · 55,000 miles · CT

Drive train malfunction, engine over heats and does not function the same. The vehicle slows down, sputters and does not have power. It has died out on the highway while going 65mph and had to pull over suddenly through 3 lanes of traffic.

Filed Oct 18, 2017 · Fuel system · 85,140 miles · OR

I was driving my bmw 535 xi on interstate highway. All of a sudden cars gave a message of "drivetrain malfunction: contact your service centre". After that car's power reduced. After that whenever I apply brake, the car ignition stopped and car puts itself in neutral. I had to start the car around 8 times to reach home safely. After that I towed the car to nearby bmw service. Bmw dealership told me that my car's high pressure fuel pump is not working. This is traumatic experience as I was on interstate and sudden stalling on interstate could have been fatal for me as well as my passenger.

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2011 BMW 535XI before you buy

Compare the 2011 BMW 535XI

Other model years

200720082010201120122013

Questions about the 2011 BMW 535XI

Is the 2011 BMW 535XI reliable?

Owners have filed 35 complaints about the 2011 BMW 535XI, 1.9 times a typical 535XI model year.

What is the 2011 BMW 535XI year score?

The 2011 BMW 535XI scores 51 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the BMW 535XI: 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 2011 BMW 535XI?

Tires, with 9 complaints, typically around 6,000 miles. Next is transmission (7).

How many recalls does the 2011 BMW 535XI have?

No recalls on record.

Share your experience with the 2011 BMW 535XI

Tell other buyers what went wrong and what it cost. We review every report before it appears, and we never publish names, emails or VINs.

No names, contact details or links. Reports about a dealer or a person are not published.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2011 BMW 535XI?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN