BMW 535i Complaints (2008)

74 consumer complaints on file.

#10648699October 19, 2014
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY 2008 BMW 535I IS SUFFERING FROM THE SAME PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION ERROR AS THE EARLIER BMW MODELS. NHTSA INFORMATION I'VE READ INDICATES THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A SUBSTANTIAL FRONT END COLLISION, WHICH POSES A SIGNIFICANT RISK TO PASSENGERS. BMW ONLY RECALLED MODEL YEARS 2004 - 2006, HOWEVER. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT TO THOSE YEARS. MY 2008 BMW 535I THROWS THE ERROR EVERY TIME I DRIVE WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER. BOTH THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT REMAIN ILLUMINATED ANY TIME THE KEY IS IN THE IGNITION. WHAT IS BEING DONE ABOUT MORE RECENT BMW MODELS? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10639573September 27, 2014
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHT ALMOST CAUGHT ON FIRE. STARTED CAR AND AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF GARAGE I SMELLED A BURNING SMELL AND THEN RECEIVED A DRIVERS SIDE BULB OUT ERROR INDICATION. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE HOUSE I LOOKED AT THE HEADLIGHT AND NOTICED THE INNER LENS HAD FALLEN AWAY INSIDE THE HOUSING. I BEGAN TO EXAMINE THE HEADLIGHT CLOSER AND DISCOVERED A LOT OF WIRES THAT WERE BASICALLY ROTTEN. MEANING THERE WAS NO INSULATION WHAT SO EVER TO PROTECT AGAINST A SHORT IF THE WIRES MADE CONTACT. I EXAMINED THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT ONLY TO FIND THE EXACT SAME CONDITION WITH THE WIRING, LARGE AMOUNTS OF BARE UNPROTECTED WIRES. FURTHER INVESTIGATION SHOWED THE ENTIRE INNER LENS BECAME SO HOT THAT THE PLASTIC WELDS MELTED AND ALSO THE METAL HOUSING CAUSING THE LENS TO FALL AWAY. I CONTACTED BMW NA AND WAS TOLD ON THE PHONE THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT COULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS SITUATION COULD HAVE EASILY LED TO A FULL VEHICLE FIRE HAD I NOT INSPECTED THE PROBLEM AND ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR WITH ELECTRICAL TAPE. I CANNOT GET TO ALL OF THE BARE WIRES BECAUSE THEY ARE INSIDE THE HEAD LIGHT. THE COST OF REPLACING BOTH HEADLIGHT IS ~ $3000.00 PARTS PLUS AROUND 250 IN LABOR CHARGES. SADLY IF THIS IS NOT PROPERLY DISCOVERED IT COULD LEAD TO A TOTAL DESTRUCTION FROM A FIRE IN THE VEHICLE AND EVEN DEATH IF THE DRIVER WAS TO BECOME A ASPHYXIATED FROM THE FUMES WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10632198September 10, 2014
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED, THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT LIGHT FAILED TO DISENGAGE WHEN AN OCCUPANT WAS PROPERLY SECURED WITH A SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10617866July 31, 2014
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM ADVISED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER RESTRAINT AND AIR BAG WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE MANUFACTURER'S AIR BAG IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS MANUFACTURER 88, 8000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10609892July 11, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
NEW BATTERY INSTALL CAUSED POWER SURGE DAMAGING ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10606641June 28, 2014
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DRIVING A 2008 BMW 535I AT HIGHWAY SPEED, APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, WHEN, WITH NO WARNING, LARGE RED WARNING LIGHT APPEARS, "ENGINE OVERHEATED - TURN OFF ENGINE." LIGHT CAME ON SUDDENLY AND ENGINE DIED TO 5 MPH AND THEN STOPPED RUNNING. BARELY ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND IN GREAT DANGER FROM TRUCKS BEARING DOWN ON A MOUNTAINOUS CURVING CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY. DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM WAS AN IMMEDIATE FAILURE OF THE ELECTRIC WATER PUMP WHICH CAUSES SUDDEN ENGINE LOSS PLACING THE DRIVER IN GRAVE DANGER. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY DRIVERS TO BMW (SEE ONLINE FORUMS) AND THEY KNOW THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM BUT HAVE NOT ISSUED RECALL NOTICES ON THE ELECTRIC WATER PUMPS ON THEIR VEHICLES. THEY PREVIOUSLY ISSUED RECALLS ON THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMPS BUT THIS ALSO REQUIRES A RECALL AS THE CAR ABRUPTLY DIES AT HIGHWAY SPEED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10606648June 28, 2014
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DURING HIGHWAY TRAVELING UPON ACCELERATION TO CHANGE LANES THE CAR BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND STALL. A ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME/REDUCED POWER. I HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR ABOUT 45 MPH BECAUSE IT BEGAN TO SHAKE AS IF IT WAS GOING TO CUT OFF. DEALERSHIP ADVISED THAT IS WAS NOT THE HPFP (HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP). I WAS TOLD THAT ALL SIX FUEL INJECTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS CAR CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE OF ITS UNRELIABILITY! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10594414May 27, 2014
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WE WERE STOPPED AND WAITING AT A RED LIGHT THEN PRESSED ACCELERATOR WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN. THE CAR STARTS MOVING THEN SUDDENLY LOSES ALL POWER WITHIN SECONDS WHILE ENTERING A VERY BUSY FREEWAY ONRAMP. AFTER LOSING POWER AND CAR IS DEAD, A WARNING MESSAGE APPEARS. WARNING SAYS CAR IS "OVERHEATED AND TO STOP, DANGER OF BURNS WITH HOT WATER PUMP." CAR HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR 2 HOURS PRIOR TO INCIDENT. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING BEFORE LOSING ALL POWER AND CONTROL OF THE CAR. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER REPLACED THE WATER PUMP AND DID NOT EXPLAIN THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER OR LACK OF WARNING. THE CAR HAS HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. THE CAR ALSO HAS HAD SEVERAL WARNINGS OF SUDDEN POWER LOSS THAT THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE. THE SUDDEN STOP ON THE FREEWAY CAUSED US TO BE NEARLY REAR-ENDED A FEW TIMES BEFORE THE POLICE CAME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10593728May 23, 2014
SEAT BELTS
WHILE DRIVING UNDER SPEED LIMIT OF 50MPH ON EXPRESSWAY,HAD TO SLAM BRAKES TO PREVENT HITTING A RED LIGHT RUNNER. MY 12YEAR OLD SON WAS IN THE REAR LEFT PASSENGER SEAT,WITH SEAT BELT ON, WAS THROWN FORWARD BUT USED HIS HANDS TO CUSHION THE IMPACT. LUCKILY HE SUFFERED NO INJURIES EXCEPT FOR THE SCARE. ON CHECKING THE SEAT BELT ,IT WAS FOUND TO BE HAVE A DEFECTIVE LATCH. TOOK IT TO BMW FREMONT FOR INSPECTION, THEY TOO FOUND THE SEAT BELT LATCH DEFECTIVE AND ORDERED A NEW ONE.THE CAR IS USED MOSTLY FOR WORK COMMUTE HENCE THE LOW MILEAGE OF 21250 FOR A NEARLY SIX YEAR OLD CAR AND RARELY HAS ANY REAR PASSENGERS, THEREFORE THE SEAT BELT DEFECT MUST HAVE BEEN THERE ON PRODUCTION. WE ARE VERY LUCKY TO FIND THE DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT IN A MINOR INCIDENT, IF IT WAS A MAJOR ACCIDENT MY CHILD OR ANY ANYONE IN THAT SEAT COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR WORSE. REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS OFFICER, SO FAR ONLY SYMPATHIES WERE OFFERED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10593744May 23, 2014
ENGINE
ENGINE LOSSES POWER WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT COMES ON WITH WARNINGS OF ENGINE REDUCED POWER.TOOK IT TO BMW FREMONT, THEY FOUND THE VANOS SOLENOID VALVES EXHAUST FAULTY, REPLACED BOTH SOLENOIDS AND PERFORMED AN OIL SERVICE WITH FUEL INJECTION/INDUCTION SERVICE. THIS TIME BMW NA PAID 85% OF THE BILL AS A ONE TIME GOODWILL! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10593741May 23, 2014
ENGINE
DRIVING AT 30MPH,ENGINES POWER SUDDENLY REDUCED,ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT COMES ON . TOOK THE CAR TO BMW FREMONT, THEY FOUND THE INTAKE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSORS FAULTY.THEY REPLACED CAMSHAFT SENSORS,PULSE GENERATOR,O-RING AND TORQUE SCREW.AS ADVISED BY THE SERVICE AGENT HAD TO DO AN OIL, OILFILTER CHANGE AND FUEL INJECTION SERVICE TO PREVENT DEFAULT ON THE WARRANTY OF PARTS PUT IN. AS THE CAR WAS OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD(EVEN THOUGH IT HAS A VERY LOW MILEAGE OF 18760) SO HAD TO PAY $1235 OUT OF POCKET. AT 19350MILES THE SIMILAR ISSUE CAME UP, TOOK IT BACK TO BMW FREMONT, THEY FOUND FAULTS STORED IN DME,2A7C VARIABLE CAMSHAFT TIMING CONTROL INTAKE COLD START 1 TIME NOT CURRENTLY PRESENT,CLEARED FAULTS AND CUSTOMER TO MONITOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10592327May 19, 2014
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ABOUT 45 MPH WHEN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WARNING LAMPS CAN ON AND MY CAR LOST POWER AND STALL WHILE I WAS DRIVE . LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH AND COAST THE CAR TO SAFE SIDE ROAD UNTIL THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT IT WILL RUN FOR FEW SECONDS AND DIE, HOWEVER I WASN'T ABLE TO RESTART MY CAR. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10588221May 13, 2014
AIR BAGS
IT SAYS RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. . I'M SCARED TO PUT MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR..THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND THERE ARE PLENTY MORE PROBLEMS. .!!!! THERE NEEDS TO BE RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10587242May 8, 2014
ENGINE
DROVE CAR FOR APPX 1 MILE. STOPPED FOR 10MINS AT A STORE. WHEN I STARTED IT BACK UP, A FAN WAS LOUDER THAN USUAL. I THEN RECIEVED A HIGH HEAT WARNING TELLING ME TO DRIVE MODERATELY OR RISK OVER HEATING. AFTER A FEW MORE MILES, I RECIEVED A WARNING TO STOP THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT AND NOT TO OPEN THE HOOD FOR RISK OF BURNS. THE VEHICLE SLOWED TO A CRAWL. LUCKILY I WAS A FEW BLOCKS FROM HOME. NEXT MORNING I TOOK IT TO A NON-BMW SERVICE CENTER WHO SAID THAT THE WATER PUMP MALFUNCTIONED ($950). THERE WAS A RECALL FOR CERTAIN 2008 MODELS FOR THE WATER PUMP. I CONFIRMED WITH BMW THAT THIS MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED. BASED ON SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ONLINE, I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10575066March 27, 2014
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PRESSING THE SHIFT (TRANSMISSION) SELECTOR INTO THE REVERSE POSITION, CAUSES THE SHIFTERS ELECTRICAL RIBBON CABLE TO GET PINCHED AND THE LIGHTS IN THE SHIFTER AND SPORT BUTTON FAIL TO WORK ANYMORE. REPOSITIONING OF THIS RIBBON CABLE OR USING A DIFFERENT INSULATION METHOD WOULD SOLVE THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10553679November 25, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKES FAILED ACCOMPANIED BY THE ILLUMINATION OF THE WARNING INDICATORS. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V407000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) BUT DID NOT CONFIRM IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10552213November 14, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TURN SIGNAL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE PASSENGER'S REAR TURN SIGNAL AND REVERSE LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 63,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10551677November 10, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH ON A BUSY STREET AT RUSH HOUR I PREPARED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN BY INDICATING. THE FAST TURN SINGLE FLASHING STARTED AND THE COMPUTER SYSTEM IN MY 2008 535I SAID REAR TURN SINGLE MALFUNCTION. I SLOWED TO MY THE TURN AND THE PERSON BEHIND ME SLAMMED ON THEIR BRAKES AND SWERVED TO AVOID HITTING ME AND ALMOST CRASHED INTO THE PERSON NEXT THEM. I DIDN'T REALIZE WHY THIS HAPPENED, SO I PULLED OVER TO CHECK MY LIGHTING SYSTEM AND REALIZED THAT THE RIGHT REAR LIGHTS WEREN'T FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. I OPENED THE REAR BRAKE COMPARTMENT AND SMELLED BURNING MELTED PLASTIC. I DISCONNECTED THE BRAKE LIGHT CONNECTOR AND FOUND THAT IT WAS MELTED. I SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR MY YEAR CAR. WHEN I WENT TO BEVERLY HILLS BMW I WAS TURNED AWAY. THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WASN'T A RECALL THAT COVERED MY CAR. THEY WERE VERY RUDE ABOUT THE WHOLE AND BASICALLY TOLD ME THAT I'D HAVE TO DEAL WITH MYSELF AND COVER THE COSTS. AFTER MORE RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ONLINE: HTTP://WWW.BIMMERFEST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=571079 APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN GOING ON FOR A LONG TIME. BUT, BMW HAS BEEN AVOIDING THE SAFETY ISSUE!!! PLEASE FILE A COMPLAINT AND GET THIS SAFETY ISSUE RESOLVED BEFORE SOMEONE DIES AS A RESULT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10548750October 21, 2013
ENGINE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE OUTSIDE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE COOLANT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT WIRES HAD FAILED AND WERE COMPLETELY BURNED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS: 13V407000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) AND 12E029000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN EITHER OF THE RECALLS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10547626October 11, 2013
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, PANEL INDICATES THAT THE TEMPERATURE IS HIGH, AND ADVISES TO DRIVE MODERATELY. PULLED OVER ONE LANE. BEFORE BEING ABLE TO PULL OVER COMPLETELY, A NEW INDICATION SHOWS ON THE PANEL, INSTRUCTING THAT THE ENGINE IS OVERHEATED. VEHICLE QUICKLY POWERS DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. UNABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE BEFORE THE CAR IS TRAVELING UNDER 20 MPH. LIMPED TO THE ROAD SIDE WITH OTHER CARS BUZZING BY AT DANGEROUSLY DIFFERENT SPEEDS AS COMPARED TO MY OWN. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY WHILE GOING LESS THAN 5 MPH, CAUSING OTHER DRIVERS TO SLAM THEIR BRAKES AND HONK PROFUSELY AT ME. THE DECELERATION HAPPENED VERY QUICKLY. WITH LOTS OF TRAFFIC, THIS CREATED A DANGEROUS AND DIFFICULT SITUATION TO MANAGE IN THE MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR. THE FACT THAT A CRASH DID NOT OCCUR IS A MATTER OF LUCK. AFTER PULLING OFF TO THE SIDE AND LETTING THE CAR COOL FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, I WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND DRIVE SLOWLY, LONG ENOUGH TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY AT THE NEXT EXIT, ABOUT 500 FEET AWAY. CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK. CAR IS NOW AT DEALER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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