What 64 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 BMW 535i

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

NHTSA ODI 11649879

The contact owns a 2012 BMW 535I. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the engine temperature and "Pull Over - Stop Vehicle" warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over and let the vehicle cool down and drove to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the water pump needed to be replaced. The mechanic advised the contact that there was an active recall, NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.

NHTSA ODI 11621488

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.

NHTSA ODI 11319019

SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED AS I WAS DRIVING

NHTSA ODI 11203216

DRIVERS DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK WHEN DOOR HANDLE IS PULLED

NHTSA ODI 11150210

DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAILURE AT 33000 MILES. UNABLE TO UNLOCK AND OPEN DOOR BY INSIDE HANDLE. THEREFORE, MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY IF DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH BMW BUT HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL, WHICH I HIGHLY RECOMMEND AS A SAFETY PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 10979001

SEVERAL TIMES WHEN STARTING FROM A STOPPED POSITION WITH THE AUTO START/STOP ENGAGED, THE CAR WILL STOP AND AUTOMATICALLY GO INTO NEUTRAL. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN SEVERAL TIMES WHEN PULLING INTO AN INTERSECTION. IT HAPPENED ONCE WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND THE CAR STALLED AFTER I STARTED THE TURN. I HAD TO GET THE CAR BACK INTO DRIVE QUICKLY TO COMPLETE THE TURN AND AVOID BEING HIT BY THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN FREQUENTLY, HAS OCCURRED A TOTAL OF 5 OR 6 TIMES IN THE 4 YEARS I HAVE OWNED THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI 10863729

I HAVE A 2012 535I AND HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING STALLS WHEN AUTO START/STOP ENGAGES, WHEN THE VEHICLE TRIES TO RESTART THE ENGINE IT SWITCHES TO N WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR A STOP SIGN. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT IN CERTAIN DRIVING SITUATIONS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10563632

THE CAR HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP FOR VARIOUS PROBLEMS FROM THE MOMENT WE BOUGHT IT. THE CAR STARTED MAKING WHISTLING SOUNDS AND ENGINE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON AND HAS BEEN SEEN BY BMW RTS ALREADY 4 TIMES. BUT MOST RECENTLY MY HUSBAND WAS WAITING AT THE LIGHT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WHEN HIS STEERING WHEEL ALL OF A SUDDEN LOCKED AND HE COULD NOT DRIVE IT. SO WE TOOK IT IN TO GET IT SERVICED AND WAS TOLD TO IMMEDIATELY CONTACT BMW OF NORTH AMERICA . 3 WEEKS LATER I FINALLY RECEIVED MY CAR AND CAUSE OF THIS STEERING ERROR READS: EPS CONTROL UNIT IS FAULTY. THE REPLACED THE EPS CONTROL UNIT, BASICALLY THE STEERING RACK, AND THE EPS CONTROL UNIT FAILED AGAIN! THEY DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY TO RESET THE CONTROL MODULES REPROGRAMMED THE EPS CONTROL UNIT, ADJUSTED THE STEERING ANGELS, INITIALIZED ALL WINDOWS AND SUNROOF, PERFORMED ACTIVE 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT. BASICALLY THE CARS A DUD AND BMW REFUSES A BUY BACK. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10549587