BMW 535i Complaints (2013)

39 consumer complaints on file.

#11770616October 12, 2026
ENGINE
UKNOWN EXACT PROBLEM. 2013 BMW 535i with the same N55 motor with the [XXX] recall. Similar symptoms: Drivetrain malfunction and "camshaft stuck" code with loud metallic clanking in upper front of engine bay. Incident happened at rough 5-10mph pulling out of a parking lot just at 160,000 miles. Oil spilling everywhere and car was losing power. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11700387November 19, 2025
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My 2013 BMW 535i (VIN [XXX] ) caught fire spontaneously while parked, turned off, and unoccupied on 11/18/2025 in Westbury, NY. A passerby saw smoke and called 911. Nassau County Police and the Westbury Fire Department responded. Firefighters informed me at the scene that the fire was mechanical in origin. The vehicle was completely off and had been parked for about 20 minutes. I was not in or near the car. The fire originated under the hood. This matches known fire patterns in BMW 5-series models from this generation involving electrical/engine components, even though my VIN shows no open recalls. The previous owner did not register the car, so any recall notices may not have reached them. The vehicle is a total loss. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11675261July 22, 2025
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Heard a clicking noise behind the steering wheel for a few days then I’ll the sudden the horn stopped working and all the controls on the steering wheel stopped working. I’m a mechanic so I took apart the clock spring stealing wheel compartment to find all of the wire broken and very very brittle. Cause for concern due to airbag malfunction and is no longer connected properly!!!I’ve been hearing a clicking noise behind the steering wheel for a few days. Then, suddenly, the horn stopped working, and all the controls on the steering wheel stopped working as well. Since I’m a mechanic, I disassembled the clock spring and the steering wheel compartment to find that all the wires were broken and extremely brittle. This is concerning because it could cause an airbag malfunction, and the wires are no longer connected properly.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11666052June 10, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 535I. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the engine was overheating. Additionally, the contact noticed an abnormal burning odor while driving, with smoke coming from underneath the hood while at a complete stop. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11643302February 18, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
After the replacement of all 02 sensors and fuses, the fault code returns and was traced back to the integrated supply module/IVm
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11587192May 6, 2024
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Headlight Assembly has issues with the seal and condensation can/does enter the headlight assembly rendering the functionality of the headlight as suspect. Without proper lighting and condensation in front of the headlight which greatly impacts/effects the clarity and visibility of objects in the front of the car creating a safety issue. The cost to replace/repair these assemblies is excessive and is a widespread problem across multiple BMW models/years.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11569707February 3, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Back passenger door handle started smoking.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11564639January 10, 2024
ENGINE
Front drive shaft detached and went into oil pan causing oils to splash out everywhere.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11540136August 22, 2023
ENGINE
Water pump failure with @32,900 miles on odometer. Cost to replace $2,800
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11515120April 3, 2023
SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 535I. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, an abnormal clicking sound was coming from the passenger’s side of the vehicle. Soon after hearing the noise, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the passenger’s side CV joint was replaced out of pocket. Recently, the vehicle was taken back to the same dealer for routine maintenance and the contact was informed that the driver’s side CV joint was faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11512368March 17, 2023
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VISIBILITY/WIPER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The headlight housing on my model year is leaking water into it and causing electrical issues , Iv noticed majority of other models I see on the road have the same issue with one of the headlight housings having water in them, this has caused numerous codes to appear on the dash. “ Vertical headlight malfunction “ …”turn signal malfunction “ …”daytime running light malfunction “ ect… this is a safety issue because it stops my signal from working and my headlight works when it wants to. Normally I would think maybe I rock chipped the housing but since I see it on majority of 535’s I see I figure it must have been an issue from factory.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11499233December 28, 2022
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 535I. The contact stated that the driver’s side headlamp had condensation inside the headlamp housing. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who replaced the headlamp housing. The contact stated that the failure recurred with the passenger’s side headlamp housing and the driver’s side replacement headlamp housing. The failure had caused the turn signals to malfunction. The contact stated that an unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11465264May 19, 2022
SUSPENSION
Driver side rear air spring failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11429530August 18, 2021
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Seat belt my driver restraint light has come on on my car there is a known safety recall on BMW takeda airbags second issue my horn has suddenly stopped working is this related to my airbag as they are in the same area of components basically I don't know if my airbag will work in a collision and I am no longer able to honk my horn
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11425888July 21, 2021
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Moonroof glass exploded while on highway at 60mph No other cars in around at time Moonroof blew outwards Nothing hit roof at all
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11404209March 22, 2021
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2011-2013 HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES ARE SUBJECT TO LEAKING AND THUS SOON FAIL. THIS IS AN EXTENSIVE FAILURE AS IT IMPACTS THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY (ROUGHLY A $2,000 PART) AND OF COURSE IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFELY PROBLEM. ADDITIONALLY, I HAVE SEEN MANY POSTS ON BMW FORUMS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM AND HEARD IT AT MY REPAIR SHOP AS WELL. I RECOMMEND A SAFETY RECALL BASED ON THIS VERY SIGNIFICANT AND VERY EXPENSIVE SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE START WITH CONDENSATION IN THE HEADLAMPS AND THEN RESULTS IN AN ELECTRIC CONTROL MODEL FAILURE FOR THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY AND SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF THE LIGHT TO WORK.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11348428August 10, 2020
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE MESSAGE PARKING LIGHT MALFUNCTION AND ADAPTIVE HEAD LIGHT MALFUNCTION WERE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ADDITIONALLY, THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT MALFUNCTIONED AND WOULD NOT OPERATE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WERE NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER BMW OF MACON LOCATED AT 4785 RIVERSIDE DR, MACON, GA 31210, WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.*BF CONSUMER STATED FOLLOWING HAD MALFUNCTIONS HEAD LAMP VERTICAL AIM CONTROL, BATTERY DISCHARGING WHILE STOPPING, ELECTRICAL DEVICES SWITCHED OFF TEMPORARILY, AND AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11320972April 13, 2020
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
MALFUNCTION OF DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT CONDENSATION WAS TOLD THAT THE REASON THE MODULES FOR CONTROLLING DAYTIME BURNING LIGHTS HEADLIGHTS AND TURN SIGNAL WERE CAUSED WATER GETTING ON THE MODULES THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THERE'S NO TURN SIGNALS NO WAY FOR OTHER DRIVERS TO SEE MAKING RIGHT OR LEFT TURNS. UPON SEARCHING THE INTERNET HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH OTHER OWNERS OF THIS SERIES OF BMW CAR HAS BEEN GARAGED SINCE PURCHASE AS CERTIFIED PREOWNED VEHICLE 45 MONTHS AGO
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11319153March 24, 2020
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WATER AND MOISTURE IS ACCUMULATING IN BOTH HEADLIGHTS WHEN IT RAINS CAUSING THEM NOT TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. I'VE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURE AND WAS ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD NOT TAKE ACTION AS THE VEHICLES IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE TWO OTHER CARS THAT MUCH OLDER AND NEVER HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11317434March 10, 2020
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEAT BELTS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DRIVE SHAFT IS HITTING THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TIRE SENSORS KEEP POPPING UP AND SWEAT BELT IS MALFUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THESE THINGS OCCURRED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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