Worst years for a BMW 535I
Owners have filed 722 complaints about the BMW 535I with NHTSA across model years 1986 to 2016. More of them are about the engine & cooling than anything else.
Every BMW 535I year, graded
The grade compares each year against the rest of this model's own run — never against another car. Click any bar or row to open that year's report.
| Year | Grade | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Median miles | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | A | 15 | 0 | 0 | 36,000 | Airbags |
| 2015 | B | 37 | 2 | 0 | 59,160 | Electrical System |
| 2014 | D | 46 | 11 | 0 | 25,100 | Engine & Cooling |
| 2013 | D | 59 | 3 | 4 | 16,000 | Electrical System |
| 2012 | C | 86 | 0 | 3 | 72,750 | Fuel & Propulsion |
| 2011 | D | 156 | 8 | 8 | 76,521 | Engine & Cooling |
| 2010 | C | 81 | 5 | 4 | 62,000 | Fuel & Propulsion |
| 2009 | C | 100 | 2 | 3 | 80,162 | Fuel & Propulsion |
| 2008 | C | 116 | 0 | 7 | 72,250 | Engine & Cooling |
| 1994 | — | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | Acceleration & Cruise Control |
| 1992 | — | 5 | 2 | 0 | — | Engine & Cooling |
| 1991 | — | 5 | 0 | 0 | — | Engine & Cooling |
| 1990 | — | 3 | 3 | 0 | — | Engine & Cooling |
| 1989 | — | 9 | 0 | 1 | — | Engine & Cooling |
| 1988 | — | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | Seat Belts |
| 1986 | — | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | Tires |
What breaks on a BMW 535I
Across every model year on file. Follow a row for that part's complaints and the year it was worst.
Worst in 2008
Worst in 2008
Worst in 2014
Worst in 2012
Worst in 2012
Worst in 2013
Worst in 2011
Complaints filed over time
Every complaint about every BMW 535I, by the month it reached NHTSA.
BMW 535I problems by state
Where owners filed from. Heavier states are usually just bigger markets, but a part that fails in heat or salt shows up here first.
Compare the BMW 535I
Side by side on complaint history. Remember that raw totals track how many were sold as much as how good they were.