Bmw 535 problems

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The BMW 5 Series is an executive car manufactured and marketed by BMW since 1972, succeeding the New Class Sedans, and currently in its eight generation.

The 5 Series was initially available as a sedan, with a wagon/estate body style (marketed as "Touring") added in 1991 and a 5-door fastback configuration (marketed as "Gran Turismo") available from 2009 to 2017. Each successive generation carries a distinct internal E- designation.

The first generation of 5 Series was powered by naturally aspirated four-cylinder and six-cylinder petrol engines. Following generations have been powered by four-cylinder, six-cylinder, V8 and V10 engines that are either naturally aspirated or turbocharged. Since 1982, diesel engines have been included in the 5 Series range.

The 5 Series is BMW's second-best-selling model after the 3 Series. On 29 January 2008, the 5 millionth 5 Series was manufactured, a 530d sedan in Carbon Black Metallic.

BMW's three-digit model naming convention began with the first 5 Series, thus the 5 Series was BMW's first model line to use "Series" in the name.

Since the E28, all generations of 5 Series have included an "M" model, called the BMW M5.

photo of Bmw 535 car production

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Bmw 535 model years

bmw 535 1996 photo
535 1996
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535 1994
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535 1992
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535 1991
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535 1990
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535 1989
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535 1987
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535 1985
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Common Bmw 535 problems

The BMW 535i is a luxury sedan that offers a smooth and comfortable ride, but like any vehicle, it can have its share of common problems. Here are some of the most frequently reported issues based on complaints from owners:

  • Fuel Pump System Issues: The E60 5 series, including the 535i, has reported problems with the fuel pump system, resulting in poor engine performance and low power. This issue requires a full change of all the pumps, which can be a costly repair.
  • Worn Tensioners and Idler Pulley: Worn tensioners and idler pulleys can make a squealing sound that rises up from the engine bay. This issue can affect the cooling system and cause problems with the alternator or power steering.
  • Timing Chain Snap: The timing chain in the M47/N47 engine, originally described as maintenance-free, is known to suffer from sudden snaps, which can render the engine useless.
  • Power Steering Hoses Leaking: Leaking power steering hoses can be a common problem in the BMW 535i, causing issues with the power steering system.
  • Worn Tension Strut Brushings: Worn tension strut brushings can loosen the front suspension, causing issues with the vehicle's handling and ride quality.
  • Air Conditioning Problems: Some owners have reported issues with the air conditioning system, including the fan changing speed without prompt and the system only blowing out cold air on lower settings.
  • Whistling Sunroof: Certain vehicles may have a production fault that causes a whistling sound from the sunroof, impacting fuel economy and causing drafts.

These are just some of the common problems reported by owners of the BMW 535i. Regular maintenance, such as oil changes, oil filter changes, tire changes and rotation, brake pad replacement, and brake rotor replacement, can help prevent some of these issues.

Bmw 535

Is the BMW 535i reliable?

The BMW 535i Reliability Rating is 2.5 out of 5.0, which ranks it 18th out of 30 for luxury fullsize cars. The average annual repair cost is $977 which means it has poor ownership costs.

What is the main problem with the BMW 5 Series?

BMW 5 Series air suspension problem

Rear air suspension issues are common in the 5 Series Gran Turismo, causing symptoms such as the vehicle leaning to one side, sagging at the rear, a loud bag from the suspension airbag, and hissing noises.

How long can a BMW 535i last?

Almost any BMW has the potential to run for up to 200,000 or even 250,000 miles with proper maintenance–and there are always going to be outliers that go further. Since every new BMW includes complimentary factory-recommended maintenance through BMW Ultimate Care, it's easy to start off on the right foot.

Which is better BMW 528i or 535i?

Differences. The 528i has a 2.0L turbo 4 cylinder engine that delivers 240 hp. The bigger engine in the 535i is a 3.0L turbo-6 packing 300 hp. The 528i provides leatherette seating, whereas the 535i has real leather upholstery.

Percentage distribution of complaints by Bmw 535 years

We have researched Bmw problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Bmw 535 cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Bmw 535 model years:

Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Bmw 535 model years.

Distribution of the number of complaints by Bmw 535 years

We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:

Bmw 535 car problems categorized by type of issue

After analysing all complaints related to Bmw 535 , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:

  • Visibility problems
  • Electrical system problems
  • Service brakes problems
  • Hydraulic problems
  • Vehicle speed control problems

The graph below shows statistics for all Bmw 535 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by 535 model years

A total of 3 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.

Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by 535 model years

There were a total of 1 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.

The NHTSA has received 24 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Bmw 535 . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Bmw 535 vehicles.

List of Bmw 535 complaints

Bmw 535 1985
  • Date Of Incident: 2003-06-04
  • Date Complaint: 2003-06-07
  • Components: TIRES
  • Summary: ONE OF A MATCHED SET OF BF GOODRICH P20560R14 TOURING T/A TR4 BEGAN TO SEPARATE WITH APPROX. 1/2 TREAD LIFE LEFT. LESS THAN 1000 MILES LATER, ANOTHER OF THE SET BEGAN TO SEPARATE TO THE POINT OF EXPOSING BELTS AND THROWING TREAD. LUCKILY THE SPEED WAS LESS THAN 50 MPH AND THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT SAFELY TO A HALT WITHOUT A COLLISION. *JB
Bmw 535 1996
  • Date Of Incident: 2000-06-01
  • Date Complaint: 2001-02-07
  • Crash: 1
  • Components: STRUCTURE
  • Summary: WHILE AT A STOP ANOTHER CAR REAR ENDED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE AT ABOUT 80 MPH, AND FRAME BROKE.*AK
Bmw 535 1991
  • Date Of Incident: 1999-08-02
  • Date Complaint: 1999-08-09
  • VIN: WDAHD319MDJ
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: VEHICLE WAS UNDER RECALL 98178000. BUT OWNER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. VEHICLE BROKE DOWN.TOWED TO DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT COOLANT SYSTEM RADIATOR CAP WAS AT FAULT. THIS HAD CAUSED THE PROBLEMS WITH THE WATER PUMP. CONSUMER WAS UNHAPPY FOR NOT RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE. *AK
Bmw 535 1990
  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Date Complaint: 1999-04-30
  • VIN: WBAHD2318LB
  • Components: VISIBILITY
  • Summary: VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 98V178000. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Bmw 535 1992
  • Date Of Incident: 1998-08-24
  • Date Complaint: 1998-09-01
  • VIN: WBAHD2310NB
  • Components: EQUIPMENT
  • Summary: CONDENSATION FROM THE A/C UNIT LEAKED ONTO RADIO WIRING CAUSING THE RADIO TO SHORT.
Bmw 535 1990
  • Date Of Incident: 1998-02-13
  • Date Complaint: 1998-03-24
  • VIN: WBAHD131XLB
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CONSUMER STEPS ON THE BRAKES, THE COMPUTER SHOWS THE BRAKES LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING. *AK
Bmw 535 1992
  • Date Of Incident: 1997-07-31
  • Date Complaint: 1997-07-31
  • Fire: 1
  • Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
  • Summary: WHILE DRIVING, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, CAUSED THE SWITCH TO CATCH ON FIRE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
Bmw 535 1987
  • Date Of Incident: 1997-05-17
  • Date Complaint: 1997-06-02
  • VIN: WBADC840412
  • Components: STEERING
  • Summary: POWER STEERING HOSE CAME LOOSE AND VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING.
Bmw 535 1987
  • Date Of Incident: 1996-08-30
  • Date Complaint: 1996-09-24
  • VIN: WBADC7409H1
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: ABS PRESSURE ACCUMULATOR FAILURE: DURING PANIC STOPS, BRAKE PEDAL RESISTS BEING PUSHED QUICKLY, CAUSES DECREASE IN ABILITY TO QUICKLY STOP; HAPPENED AT 60,000 MILES, AGAIN AT 120,000.*AK
Bmw 535 1989
  • Date Of Incident: 1993-01-01
  • Date Complaint: 1996-05-25
  • VIN: WBAHD231XK2
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: COMPUTER SYSTEM FAILS. *DH
Bmw 535 1989
  • Date Of Incident: 1995-07-07
  • Date Complaint: 1996-04-19
  • Crash: 1
  • VIN: WBAHD2317KB
  • Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
  • Summary: ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK, CAUSING ACCIDENT. *SD
Bmw 535 1990
  • Date Of Incident: 1996-03-28
  • Date Complaint: 1996-04-05
  • VIN: WBAHD2318LB
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: INTERIOR VEHICLE FIRE CAUSED BY THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM UNDERNEATH THE POWER SEATS. *AK
Bmw 535 1989
  • Date Of Incident: 1995-07-07
  • Date Complaint: 1996-02-16
  • Crash: 1
  • Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
  • Summary: THROTTLE SYSTEM FAILED, CAUSING ENGINE TO SURGE/LOSS OF CONTROL. *DSH
Bmw 535 1989
  • Date Of Incident: 1995-09-10
  • Date Complaint: 1995-10-06
  • VIN: WBAHD2313K2
  • Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
  • Summary: WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WITH SUNROOF PARTIALLY OPENED, SUNROOF OPENED FULLY AND FAILED TO OPERATE.
Bmw 535 1989
  • Date Of Incident: 1995-09-10
  • Date Complaint: 1995-10-06
  • VIN: WBAHD2313K2
  • Components: VISIBILITY
  • Summary: POWER WINDOWS FAILED. *AK

Latest 5 recalls Bmw 535

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 8 recalls for different components of the Bmw 535.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.

  • Model: Bmw 535 1989
  • Report Received Date: 1994-04-11
  • Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
  • Summary: FEED FUEL HOSES CAN HARDEN AND "SET" OVER TIME, ALLOWING A SEEPAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE HOSE AND THE ENGINE FITTING. THE CLAMP USED TO HOLD THE HOSE TO THE FITTING IS UNABLE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE HARDENING OF THE FEED FUEL HOSE.
  • Consequence: FUEL SEEPAGE BETWEEN THE FEED FUEL HOSE AND THE ENGINE FITTING CAN RESULT IN FREE FUEL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
  • Remedy: A REDESIGNED FEED FUEL HOSE AND HOSE CLAMP WILL BE INSTALLED TO ALLEVIATE THE FUEL SEEPAGE.
  • Model: Bmw 535 1991
  • Report Received Date: 1994-04-11
  • Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
  • Summary: FEED FUEL HOSES CAN HARDEN AND "SET" OVER TIME, ALLOWING A SEEPAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE HOSE AND THE ENGINE FITTING. THE CLAMP USED TO HOLD THE HOSE TO THE FITTING IS UNABLE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE HARDENING OF THE FEED FUEL HOSE.
  • Consequence: FUEL SEEPAGE BETWEEN THE FEED FUEL HOSE AND THE ENGINE FITTING CAN RESULT IN FREE FUEL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
  • Remedy: A REDESIGNED FEED FUEL HOSE AND HOSE CLAMP WILL BE INSTALLED TO ALLEVIATE THE FUEL SEEPAGE.
  • Model: Bmw 535 1990
  • Report Received Date: 1994-04-11
  • Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
  • Summary: FEED FUEL HOSES CAN HARDEN AND "SET" OVER TIME, ALLOWING A SEEPAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE HOSE AND THE ENGINE FITTING. THE CLAMP USED TO HOLD THE HOSE TO THE FITTING IS UNABLE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE HARDENING OF THE FEED FUEL HOSE.
  • Consequence: FUEL SEEPAGE BETWEEN THE FEED FUEL HOSE AND THE ENGINE FITTING CAN RESULT IN FREE FUEL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
  • Remedy: A REDESIGNED FEED FUEL HOSE AND HOSE CLAMP WILL BE INSTALLED TO ALLEVIATE THE FUEL SEEPAGE.
  • Model: Bmw 535 1992
  • Report Received Date: 1994-04-11
  • Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
  • Summary: FEED FUEL HOSES CAN HARDEN AND "SET" OVER TIME, ALLOWING A SEEPAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE HOSE AND THE ENGINE FITTING. THE CLAMP USED TO HOLD THE HOSE TO THE FITTING IS UNABLE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE HARDENING OF THE FEED FUEL HOSE.
  • Consequence: FUEL SEEPAGE BETWEEN THE FEED FUEL HOSE AND THE ENGINE FITTING CAN RESULT IN FREE FUEL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
  • Remedy: A REDESIGNED FEED FUEL HOSE AND HOSE CLAMP WILL BE INSTALLED TO ALLEVIATE THE FUEL SEEPAGE.
  • Model: Bmw 535 1991
  • Report Received Date: 1992-07-10
  • Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
  • Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
  • Summary: SOME OF THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A THROTTLE HOUSING ON WHICH THE THROTTLE VALVE SHAFT RETAINING NUT WAS NOT SUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED.
  • Consequence: IF THE NUT WERE TO LOOSEN, MOVEMENT OF THE THROTTLE VALVECOULD BE IMPAIRED, RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE BEING UNABLE TO DECELERATE WHEN THEGAS PEDAL IS RELEASED.
  • Remedy: THOSE THROTTLE HOUSINGS WITH SUSPECT MANUFACTURING CODES WILL HAVE THE THROTTLE VALVE SHIFT RETAINING NUT TORQUE TESTED, AND THOSE WITH INSUFFICIENT NUT TORQUE WILL BE REPLACED.

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