What 264 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 BMW 535i

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.

NHTSA ODI 11732394

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.

NHTSA ODI 11651226

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.

NHTSA ODI 11595837

BMW REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY OF CONSEQUENTIAL ISSUES CAUSED MY FAULTY FUEL PUMP RECALL AND IS TRYING TO CHARGE ME 21000 to fix. Engine reads maximum drivetrain output drive moderately

NHTSA ODI 11590623

Been fixing an unknown issue due to fuel presure, loss of engine power and car gets extra hot but doesn’t over heat, I have fixed the issue more on 2 different occasions. I didn’t pass the smog text so that’s when I was told to check for any recalls, now the issues returned with same problems and probably won’t pass smog again. I have all recorded from all the years of maintenance and I’m very diligent on on time maintenance or if theirs is any kind of malfunction. I’m now addressing the situation to you as I believe that there’s something wrong that’s beyond my control. I’ve also encountered other people with same vehicle with similar issues.

NHTSA ODI 11588254

Hello, I received a recall notice almost 6 months ago on my car and I have been in contact with BMW Corporate and they have been completely useless (This is my first BMW and it will be my last). I haven't been able to drive my car for almost 6 months due to the VANOS engine bolt recall. My car has been experiencing the symptoms of stalling, loss of power and it has gone into Safe mode. I have called McKenna BMW in Norwalk and was told not to drive the car because it isn't safe to do so. and by the Owner of Orange Motors who is a Specialty Shop for BMW owners. I have called BMW Corporate numerous times and sent multiple emails ( i can't even get a response to my emails) and cant get any assistance in getting my car fixed. I asked BMW for assistance in getting a rental car and they said that is the responsibility of the dealership and the dealership is telling me that I need to call BMW Corporate. I spoke to a woman named Jenny at BMW corporate about 2 - 3 weeks ago and she told me to call the dealership and explain what is going on with my car and request that a special case be opened so rush my parts needed to fix my car and I still can't get any help. I have called Sterling BMW & Crevier BMW and they made it very clear they do not have the parts to fix my car, I mentioned what BMW corporate told me and they acted like they had no clue what I was talking about. I told them that my car is dead in my garage as it has been sitting for about 6 months. I just keep getting passed around and all I am trying to do is get my car fixed so I can drive it. I have had a rental car for 6 months now because I can't drive my own car as it is unsafe. I would just like my car fixed please assist me in getting help from BMW because they keep brushing me off. Can I pay to have the car fixed and get reimbursed? This is their product/brand and they should offer better assistance in getting it fixed. It's ridiculous that it's been 6 months and still no repair options. What a joke.

NHTSA ODI 11583446

The water pump failure recall BMW currently has for 8 and 12 cylinder engines need to include 3.0 6 cylinder engines also. My car had the identical failure as the current recall and its not covered . Why? There is just as many 6 cylinder water pump failures as 8 and 12 cylinder cars . This is not right . Extremely dangerous and needs rectified now . Please help me my email is [XXX] Phone [XXX]. My car is currently exhibiting the water pump failure . I'm afraid to take my family anywhere in the car . INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11469276

My car is leaking oil from one of the rings in the engine and it’s leaking on the manifold

NHTSA ODI 11443168

While driving on the highway my car turned off suddenly. car was towed to home After checking possible causes we found out that even the fuel gauge in the instruments cluster was displaying a large amount of fuel ( 1/2 tank) actually it was empty. We put two gallons of gasoline then car start up again but fuel gauge still showing half of tank

NHTSA ODI 11427066

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.

NHTSA ODI 11360856

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE SENT AN OVERHEATING MESSAGE AND INSTANTLY THE POWER TO THE MOTOR WAS CUT OFF CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO RAPIDLY SLOW DOWN WITH NO BRAKE SIGNAL SO THE REAR CAR ALMOST REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE SIGNAL CUTTING POWER TO THE ENGINE DURING THE OVERHEAT MESSAGE, ONCE I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND STOP IT WAS FINE? I CHECKED THE COOLANT AFTER I GOT HOME AND IT WAS AT THE LEVEL REQUIRED, AFTER I WAS ABLE TO THE READ THE CODES IT SHOWED WATERPUMP ? I RECENTLY SAW RECALLS FOR 2011 BMW 5 SERIES ON WATER PUMP ISSUES, I WOULD LIKE TO AD THIS PROBLEM AND OR SAFEY ISSUE TO BE NOTICED, IF ALL THOSE VEHICLES ARE BEING REPORTED TO HAVE WATERPUMP ISSUES ,L BELIEVE MY CAR SHOULD BE ON THAT LIST OF RECALLS AS WELL , THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME WATER PUMP ,SO THAT WOULD EFFECT ALL MODELS 6 CLYINDER ,8 CYLINDER ETC,, TTHE AFTER A MONTH OF NO CODES NO ISSUES, I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY TO GET SOMETHING FROM THE HOUSE, I LEFT THE CAR RUNNING, WHEN I CAM OUT IT HAD SENT AN OVER HEAT SIGNAL AGAIN, WHEN THE CAR WASNT OVERHEATING? IT WAS JUST WEIRD, IT MIGHT BE WISE TO INCLUDE ALL VEHICLES WITH THE 2010-2011 STYLE WATER PUMP TO BE REPLACED AND LOOK INTO THE POWER CUT OFF DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE PUMPS/AND OR THEIR ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS WHICH ARE BEING RECALLED , PLEASE LET KNOW IF MY CAR CAN BE ADDED TO THE RECALL SO IT COULD BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT HAS THE SAME ISSUES AS THE OTHER MODELS THAT RECALLED, HAVENT DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY SINCE, SCARED I MIGHT GET REAR ENDED, IF THE POWER CUTS OFF TO SLOW THE VEHICLE BRAKE LIGHTS SHOULD GO ON OR SOME INDICATOR TO LET VEHICLES FOLLOWING BEHIND KNOW THE VEHICLE IS SLOWING DOWN, LIVE AND LEARN I GEUSS,

NHTSA ODI 11331741

DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION IS ON MAY BE DUE TO A BAD FUEL PUMP OR ENGINE COILS

NHTSA ODI 11291852

CARE WAS IN MOTION ON LOCAL STREET CARE STARTED STALLING, DECREASE IN FUEL, SMOKE OUT OF TAIL PIPE, COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE, UNABLE TO START ON ENGINE. THERE ARE MULTIPLE FORUMS ON THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE WITH ISSUES DUE TO FUEL INJECTOR. SINCE I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL BUYER ON VEHICLE I WAS NOT AWARE AND WAS NEVER NOTIFIED BY THE NEW DEALER THAT THERE WOULD BE AN ISSUE. VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT AT 126K MILES IN SEPT 2019.

NHTSA ODI 11290834

2011 535XI WITH 95,000 MILES WAS SERVICED AND PASSED ALL INSPECTIONS, LESS THAN 700 MILES LATER ENGINE STARTS MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND WHILE DRIVING. IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AND TOWED TO DEALER WHERE THEY FOUND METALLIC SHAVINGS IN OIL FILTER. SAID ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $36,591 BUT OFFERED NO CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 11287021

MY VEHICLE CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING DRIVE TRAIN/ DRIVE SHAFT MESSAGE CAME ON WHICH MADE MY ENGINE LIGHT COME ON SHUDDERING WITH HEAVY SHAKING MAKING WEIRD NOISES WHICH ARE THE SYSTEMS OF A DEFECTED DRIVE SHAFT SAME SYMPTOMS THAT APPLY TO RECALL 17V067000 VERY SCARY MY VEHICLE WAS JUST AT BMW DEALERSHIP FOR A RECALL DUE TO AN AGGRESSIVE FUEL LEAK...,I ASKED ABOUT THE RECALL FOR THE DRIVE TRAIN I WAS ADVISED YES IT'S A RECALL BUT NOT FOR MY VEHICLE WHICH IS A 2011 535I AT THE TOP OF THE RECALL LIST THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND THE 2ND TIME THIS CAR HAVE PUT MY LIFE IN DANGER HOW CAN YOU HAVE A RECALL ON THE 2011 535I AND THEN SAY NOT MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE BMW IS THE WORST I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER BMW I CANNOT BELIEVE IT THESE PARTS CANNOT BE FROM WEAR AND TEAR THIS STARTS FROM PRODUCTION OF VEHICLE

NHTSA ODI 11270873

THE VEHICLE (2011 BMW 535I GT) INDICATED THAT IT WAS OVERHEATED AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 25 MINUTES IN THE CITY AND HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY SLOWED DOWN AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. FAN WAS CONTINUALLY RUNNING AFTER VEHICLE WAS STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED BACK ON HOURS LATER. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO SAID IT WAS THE AUXILIARY WATER PUMP THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. BMW HAS A RECALL BUT THE 535I GT IS NOT IN THE RECALL, THE 550I GT IS. THE RECALL SHOULD BE LOOKED AT FOR EXPANSION.

NHTSA ODI 11270414

CAD WAS RUNNING FINE. PARKED GOT OUT NEXT MORNING NO START. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED TIME BELT GONE. BOUGHT CAR FROM BMW MAINLINE IN MARCH 2014 CERTIFIED USED. VARIOUS ISSUES WITH CAR. JUST READ THAT THE 5 SERIES HAD TIMING CHAIN ISSUES. MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY WITH 125,063 MILES. ALWAYS MAINTAINED AND OIL CHANGES AND SERVICE. NOW THIS. AM I LEGIBLE TO HAVE MY TIMING CHAIN AND ANY DANGE IT CAUSED TO BE REPAIRED. WHY DOESN'T BMW STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS OR RECALL THEIR PROBLEM CARS. WITH THE MONEY PAID FOR THIS CAR I SHOULD BE COMPENSATED FOR THEIR MISTAKES. BULLETIN TSB NO. 111614. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS THAT BMW WILL NOT RECALL BUT ACT AS THOUGH THEY ARE DOING THEIR CUSTOMERS A FAVOR BY REPAIRING OR MAYBE REPAIRING THEIR OWN MISTAKES. THANK GOD IS GOT MYSELF AND INFANT SON HOME BEFORE THE TIMING CHAIN BROKE.

NHTSA ODI 11265530

CAR WAS DRIVING FINE. NO NOISE NO BACK FIRE NO RATTLING. GOT HOME PARKED CAR NEXT DAY GOT IN CAR AND WOULD NOT START. TOOK TO BMW SPECIALIST. SAYS THE CAR HAS NO COMPRESSION. HOW DOES AN ENGINE GO JUST LIKE THAT. JUST HAD OIL CHANGE ONE MONTH AGO NO PROBLEMS NOW THIS OUT OF THE BLUE.

NHTSA ODI 11265513

I GOT A 2011 BMW 535I XDRIVE WITH ONLY 70000 MILES ON IT, IT GAVE ME AN ERROR SAYING DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO RUN DIAGNOSE ON IT, THEY TOLD ME ITS IGNITION COIL WHICH THEY REPLACE ONLY FOR ME TO DRIVE IT FOR TWO DAYS THEN THE ENGINE START MAKING EVEN LOUDER NOISE AND WHEN I TOOK IT BACK, THEY SAID THE ENGINE IS BAD AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THEY FOUND METAL PARTS IN THE OIL FILTER. HOW DID THEY NOT KNOW ABOUT IT THE FIRST TIME? WAS THERE A RECALL THEY DIDN'T DO!

NHTSA ODI 11256188

FUEL PUMP(FUEL SYSTEM) RECALL WAS ALLOWED TO FAIL AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS BY ME USING MY GAS TO APPEAR AT BMW TRYING TO DESCRIBE STALLING, GAS SMELL, ENGINE GAS FLOW ISSUES WITH MY CAR BEFORE MAY 2016. (3) YEARS IN AND OUT OF HENDRIX BMW SERVICE DEPARTMENT. LONG RENTAL RETURNS AND REPAIR ON ENGINE LEAKS, GASKET LEAKS , PAN OIL LEAKS AND NOW 6/2/2019 CAR IS STILL SMOKING , STALLING, OIL SMELLING I'M AT HOME AGAIN. BMW DEALER SERVICE IS REFUSING TO PAY FOR A PLASTIC CAP BILLED TO ME RELATED TO RECALL FUEL PUMP LEAK THEY DENIED AND WERE FORCED TO FIND BY ME. SEE ATTACHMENT. BMW WANT EXCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE (3) YEAR DELAYED REPAIR OF FUEL PUMP.. ISSUES CAUSING PRESENT RELATED ISSUES TODAY 6/2/2019 WERE IN THE PAST THEY USED MY WARRANTY COVERAGE TO REPAIR DAMAGES THEY CREATED BEFORE FINAL CAR FAILURE AND MY STRANDED FROM 5PM / 11:30 MIDNIGHT AT 70 YEARS OLD ON A DARK HIGH WAY.. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY HAS PAID FOR ALL ENGINE ISSUES,1414,00 ..NOW THEY WANT TO MAKE A DEAL 700.00 TO REPAIR PLASTIC CAP COVER , THE SAME PROBLEM BEFORE FUEL PUMP RECALL. I WAS WITHOUT (MY ) CAR FOR (13) DAY CALLING, GOING BACK TO SERVICE MANAGER FIRING ADMISSION OF RECALL. MY STRESSING, PERSISTENT STOCKING TO REPLACE FUEL PUMP HURT MY HEALTH. BEGINNING WITH CORPORATE BMW IN 2016/ DELAY, 2017/ ENGINE ISSUES AND YEARS / MONTHS OF RENTALS... REPLACING PAN, SOME GASKET LEAKS WITH ENGINE CLAIMING THEY REPLACED THE PUMP. PROBLEMS CONTINUED UNTIL 5/3/2019 AND I'M STRANDED, LIVING WITH A MUSCULAR DISEASE IN THE HEAT AT 82 DEGREES ON HIGH WAY AND (2) POLICE OFFICERS STOPPING, FAILED TOWING COMPANY TOWED CAR TO MY HOME, EMBARRASSING ... 5/4/2019 SAT MORNING TOWING FROM MY HOME USING MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WHO LOST MY KEYS AT 400.00, LOST HOOK TO TOW CAR AND THE HOOK COVER NOTICED AFTER (13) DAY PUMP REPAIR PICK UP OF CAR.. 300.00 ..I'M STUCK AT HOME WITH THE SAME UNRESOLVED PART OF THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11228786

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS. 1. BOTH HEAD LIGHTS BECAME FILLED WITH CONDENSATION/WATER. I TOOK IT TO A BMW DEALERSHIP. THEY PERFORMED A BMW DIAGNOSIS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE MOST LIKELY CASE WAS THE COLD AIR. THEY CHECKED FOR EXCESS AIR LEAKS IN BOTH HEAD LIGHTS BUT DID NOT FIND EXCESS AIR LEAKS. (SEE ATTACHED STATEMENT) THEY ALSO REPLACED A GASKET, OIL FILTER HOUSING. THE OIL FILTER HOUSING WAS ALLOWING OIL TO LEAK OUT FROM THE ENGINE 5.8. THEY PERFORMED REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF THE OIL FILTER HOUSING GASKET AND WASHED DOWN THE ENGINE OF THE OIL RESIDUE. THE INCIDENTS WERE DIAGNOSED AND REPLACE ACCORDINGLY ON JAN. 24. 2019. JUST RECENTLY, ABOUT 5 DAYS AGO TODAY, MY CAR STARTED MAKING A WEIRD LOUD NOISE LIKE A GARBAGE TRUCK MAKES WHEN IT GOES FROM STOP TO STOP. IT MADE THAT SOUND WHEN DRIVING, AS WELL AS WHEN PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. AT THE SAME TIME, I WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO OPEN MY TRUCK WITH NEITHER THE INSIDE BUTTON OR MY KEYS. I TOOK MY CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP THAT WAS CLOSE BY. THE OWNER USED TO WORK FOR BMW SERVICE CENTER AS A MECHANIC BEFORE STARTING HIS OWN BUSINESS. STRANGELY, THE CAR DID NOT MAKE THE SOUND IN HIS PRESENCE ALTHOUGH IT WAS LEFT RUNNING. I LEFT HIS SHOP AND WAS HEADING HOME WHEN SUDDENLY I GOT A RED ERROR MESSAGE WARNING ME THAT THE ENGINE HAD OVER HEATED AND THAT I SHOULD DRIVE SLOWLY AND/OR PULL OVER AS OVER HEATING COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. THE MESSAGE ALSO SAID THE VEHICLE NEEDED COOLANT. I PURCHASE THE COOLANT ACCORDING TO THE MANUAL, BUT THE CAR OVERHEATED ONCE AGAIN WHEN I BEGAN TO DRIVE IT. I ALLOWED IT TO COOL DOWN AND DROVE IT HOME. I POPPED THE HOOD AFTER IT COOL DOWN AGAIN AND NOTICED A GREASY/OILY DARK BROWN SUBSTANCE IN COOLANT/RADIATOR HOLE. FROM WHAT I READ, IT'S A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. I ONLY HAVE 74963 MILES ON MY 2011 535I BMW. ALL SERVICES ARE UP TO DATE. MY NEXT SERVICE ISN'T DUE FOR 4000 MILES 03/2020 *AS INVALID VIN *JB

NHTSA ODI 11210575

I WAS DRIVING BACK TO DALLAS ,TX. ON I 20 ON MARCH 22 WHEN I HEARD A NOISE . THE SOUND BECAME LOUDER AND I CAME TO A STOP AND TO SEE IF I COULD FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON BUT IT HAD GOTTEN DARK SO I CONTINUE ON UNTIL I GOT HOME AND CHECK UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAR WAS MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND. ON MONDAY I TOOK THE CAR TO A CERTIFIED BMW MECHANIC AND 3 DAYS LATER HE INFORMED ME THAT THE ENGINE WAS GOING TO HAVE TO BE REPLACED.THE CAR HAS ONLY 68 K MILES ON

NHTSA ODI 11194208

DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION -DRIVING ON HWY WHEN ERROR WAS DISPLAYED AND CAR SHUTDOWN IN ON ME AND WOULD NOT START BACK UP -DEALERSHIP STATED THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP -ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN -WHILE DRIVING - UNDER 3000 MILES LATER - SAME ERROR CODES OF LOW PRESSURE - CAR HESITANT TO CRANK AND STUDDERING ON LOW SPEEDS- TOWED TO DEALER WAS TOLD NO ISSUE FOUND AND THEY REPROGRAMMED THE FUEL PUMP -SAME ISSUE AGAIN - FUEL LINE AND SENSOR REPLACED -RAN FINE FOR ANOTHER 1000 MILES OR SO -WHILE DRIVING THE CAR JERKED REALLY HARD AND GAVE THE SAME DRIVETRAN MALFUNCTION ERROR --WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP HOWEVER CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE AT FULL SPEED- SAME CODES SEEN STORED -- BMW DO NOT KNOW WHATS CAUSING THE ISSUE HOWEVER REPLACING PARTS HOPING IT WILL FIX THE ISSUE AND CHARGING ME FOR THEIR TRIAL AND ERROR. -SINCE 2 MORE PARTS REPLACED CAR NOW WITH NEW ERROR AND OF COURSE BMW HAS NO CLUE BUT WANT TO CHARGE ME ANOTHER 1000 TO REPLACE ANOTHER PART.

NHTSA ODI 11163823

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.

NHTSA ODI 11155399

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 535I. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND FROM THE CENTER OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND NOTICED OIL DRIPPING FROM THE OIL PAN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT AND OIL PAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE CV JOINT FRACTURED, WHICH CAUSED THE DAMAGE TO THE OIL PAN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V067000 (POWER TRAIN) AND THAT THERE WOULD BE NO ASSISTANCE WITH HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ODI 11132121