BMW 535xi Complaints (2008)

71 consumer complaints on file.

#11043572November 5, 2017
POWER TRAIN
THE DRIVE SHAFT FOR MY BMW 535XI BROKE WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT ANY WARMING. THIS CAUSED CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE UNDERNEATH COMPONENTS OF THE CAR. SUCH AS RIPPING THE DATA CABLE AND BURST THE TRANSMISSION AND ALL THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LICKED OUT INSTANTLY. MY VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC WITH ON COMING CARS. I HAVE UPLOADED A PICTURE OF THE BROKEN DRIVE SHAFT WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING TOWED . I HAVE THE DOCUMENTS BUT I AM UNABLE TO UPLOAD THEM AT THIS TIME. IN ADDITION THE PRESSURE HOSE FOR THE POWER PUMP BURST AND IT IS UNFAIR THAT I HAVE TO REPLACE ALL 3 POWER HOSTS BECAUSE IT IS A BMW RECOMMENDATION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11034170October 17, 2017
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS, SEATS
THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT FAILURE LIGHT INDICATOR IS ON. BROUGHT BACK TO THE BMW DEALER, SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT IT IS A RECURRING PROBLEM FOR BMW. BUT SERVICE WOULD COST $2,300 TO FIX. I ASKED IF IT IS A RECURRING PROBLEM, THEN IT IS A DEFECT. BMW SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM FREE OF CHARGE AS I SEE IN OTHER RECENT RECALL ANNOUNCEMENTS LIKE LAST MONTH FOR THE BMW X3.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11012517August 3, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS IS THE 3RD COMPLAINT ON THE SAME VEHICLE I HAVE PLACED. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP FOR THE LAST 8 MONTHS AND THEY HAVE FINALLY DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, WHERE THE COMPUTER COMPONENTS ARE LOCATED, HAS BEEN RECEIVING WATER LEAKAGE FROM FAULTY PLUGS VIA THE SUNROOF DRAINAGE SYSTEM LEADING TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THUS CAUSING MAJOR MALFUNCTIONS SUCH AS FUEL INJECTORS, STARTERS, BATTERIES, SENSORS, AND INDICATORS THAT MAJOR TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONS HAVE OCCURRED WHEN WHAT IS REALLY WRONG IS THAT ALL THE COMPUTER COMPONENTS ARE DROWNING IN WATER, CORRODED AND RUSTED. THIS IS FAULTY FROM THE BMW FACTORY AND THEY KNOW THE PROBLEM EXISTS AND THEY REFUSE TO RECALL THIS MODEL VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM CAN BE FOUND VIA THE INTERNET FROM MANY CONSUMERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE PLACED A COMPLAINT WITH BMW AND THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING. IN ONE INSTANCE I EXPERIENCED THE CRUISE CONTROL ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN AND WOULD NOT DISENGAGE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED. THE STEERING WHEEL ON/OFF BUTTON WAS THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE ACCELERATION. THIS VEHICLE IS A DANGER TO DRIVE AND IS UNRELIABLE!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10972012April 12, 2017
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
ON THURSDAY MARCH 30TH I DROPPED THE CAR OFF WITH BRINSFIELD AUTO IN GREENSBORO, NC BECAUSE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ON APRIL 6TH I PICKED IT UP WITH COMPLETED REPAIRS OF A CLEANED #5 FUEL INJECTOR THAT WAS DIAGNOSED AS RUNNING RICH BUT AFTER BEING CLEANED WAS RUNNING CORRECTLY AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS NO LONGER AN INDICATOR. ON APRIL 8TH I WAS DRIVING IN GASTONIA, NC AND THE CAR BEGAN SMOKING AND SHUDDERING TO THE POINT IT WAS NOT DRIVABLE. I PULLED INTO A CAR DEALERSHIP THAT WAS CLOSED BECAUSE IT WAS AFTER HOURS AND PARKED THE CAR. MY SON AND I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND NOTICED A VERY CLEAR ODOR OF GAS. THERE WAS A COUPLE DRIVING THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP LOT WHO STOPPED AND ALSO NOTICED THE ODOR AND AGREED IT WAS INDEED FUEL AND I SHOULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR. IT WAS TOWED BACK TO BRINSFIELD AUTO WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE #5 FUEL INJECTOR WAS LOCKED IN THE OPEN POSITION AND SHOOTING STRAIGHT FUEL THROUGH THE ENGINE AND OUT THE EXHAUST PIPE. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSE A FIRE HAD I NOT NOTICED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10960206March 12, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED AND NOT RUNNING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10955489February 19, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WIRING AND REAR DIVERSITY ANTENNA CAN BECOME WET UNDER REAR HATCH FAIRING. THIS HAS CAUSED THE COMFORT ACCESS TO WORK WITH REDUCED RANGE AND OR NOT WORK AT ALL. WIRING HARNESS ON BOTH RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE HAVE SEVERED CABLES FROM OPENING AND CLOSING REAR WINDOW PORTION OF HATCH.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10927425November 22, 2016
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 535XI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRIC WATER PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10906002September 13, 2016
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 535XI. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND OVERHEATED. IN ADDITION "PLEASE SHUT ENGINE OFF DUE TO OVERHEATING " WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10877004June 27, 2016
AIR BAGS, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, SEAT BELTS
THE CAR HAS AN PASSENGER RESTRAINT ERROR THAT DOES NOT GO AWAY. THE CAR FUEL GAGE DOES NOT WORK EITHER
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10873239June 8, 2016
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I PURCHASED MY CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED 2008 BMW 535XI SPORTS WAGON FROM CONCORD BMW ON 09.01.2015 WITH 81,759 MILES ON IT. ON DECEMBER 15, 2015 I WAS TRAVELING AT FREEWAY SPEED WHEN THE REAR AIR SPRINGS FULLY COLLAPSED. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO CONCORD BMW'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT VERY SAME DAY TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. ON DECEMBER 17, 2015 I RECEIVED AN EMAIL REPAIR ESTIMATE FROM BMW CONCORD SERVICE ADVISOR JOEY TIONGSON FOR $24,188.17 (I PURCHASED THE USED VEHICLE FOR $17,400.00).THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT CLOGGED SUNROOF DRAINS ALLOWED WATER TO TRAVEL DOWN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE VEHICLE AND FLOOD ALL THE ELECTRONIC MODULES. TIMING OF THIS INCIDENT IS SUCH THAT MID-DECEMBER 2015 PRODUCED THE FIRST RAINFALL IN OUR AREA DUE TO CALIFORNIA DROUGHT. MY CAR WAS NOT EXPOSED TO ANY SIGNIFICANT WATER PRIOR TO THESE FIRST RAINS. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT AND THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS SOLD TO ME WITH THIS PRE-EXISTING CONDITION OF WHICH I WAS NEVER ADVISED. MY RESEARCH AFTER THIS INCIDENT INDICATES THAT OTHER BMW OWNERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS BUT NOT TO THIS MAGNITUDE. BMW HAS ALSO ISSUED SERVICE BULLETINS ADVISING DEALERSHIPS OF THIS PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10863569May 6, 2016
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2008 BMW 535XI AND HAVE HAD IT FOR ABOUT A WEEK OR SO. IT HAS SPENT MORE TIME IN THE SHOP THAN ON THE ROAD DUE TO FUEL INJECTORS CAUSING MISFIRES AND NOW THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAS GONE OUT. I RECENTLY FOUND OUT ALSO THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH BMW AND THEY ARE PRETENDING THAT THE FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTION IN 3 & 5 SERIES ISN'T THEIR FAULT. I CHECKED THE CARFAX ON THE VEHICLE BEFORE BUYING IT AND IT WAS SERVICED REGULARLY AT A BMW DEALERSHIP. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH I ALSO HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THE DEALERSHIP TOTALLY IGNORED THE RECALLS AND SCREWED OVER THE FIRST OWNER. BMW NEEDS TO TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR SELLING CARS WITH KNOWN DEFECTIVE PARTS. I HAVE TO DROP $3800 TO FIX THE PROBLEMS THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAS CAUSED. THE CAR WON'T EVEN START NOW.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10818784January 7, 2016
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, SUSPENSION
I PURCHASED A 2008 BMW 5 SERIES WAGON 9/1/2015 ON CALIFORNIA HAD ITS FIRST RAIN STORM CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OF THE BMW RESULTING IN A COMPLETE LOSS 12/16/115. THE DRAIN LINES ARE A WELL DOCUMENTED AND A BMW SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED TO DEALERSHIPS. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, I EXPERIENCED WIDESPREAD SYSTEM FAILURE, TIRE WARNINGS, TRANSMISSION FAILURE WARNINGS AND THE SUSPENSION FAILED AND THE CAR DROPPED ABOUT 6 INCHES. THE BMW DEALERSHIP GAVE US $24,188.17 REPAIR ESTIMATE FOR ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS AND WIRING WHICH IS MORE THAN THE VALUE OF THE CAR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10810099December 14, 2015
AIR BAGS
RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION LIGHTS ON DASH AND WARNING ON THE NAV SCREEN GOES ON WHENEVER SOMEONE SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10749098August 17, 2015
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 535XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE AND TOUCHING THE HANDLE TO LOCK THE DOORS VIA THE KEYLESS ENTRY FEATURE, THE CONTACT FAILED TO REALIZE THAT THE PASSENGER HAD NOT EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS AND REMAINED TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE WITH THE WINDOWS UP FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES UNTIL THE DRIVER CAME BACK TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT WAS EXPLAINED THAT WHAT THE CONTACT PERCEIVED AS A FAILURE WAS A SECURITY FEATURE OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS NOT CONSIDERED A DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10723102June 3, 2015
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
APRIL 2013, BMW DEALER #1 (SELLER) WAS TOLD BY SELLING DEALER THAT RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION LIGHT JUST CAME ON HOURS BEFORE DELIVERY.. WAS TOLD TO BRING CAR TO A DEALER IN MY STATE AND THEY WILL FIX IT, NO CHARGE SINCE CAR IS STILL UNDER MANUFACTURER EXTENDED WARRANTY; MAY 23, 2013 BMW DEALER #2 (SERVICE) RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION LIGH IS ON.. DEALER #2 ADVISED THAT BST CABLE WAS SLICED, HENCE WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER THE REPAIR, WHICH WAS $1,000.00. JUNE 12, 2013 BMW DEALER #3 (SERVICE) WENT TO DEALER #3 FOR SECOND OPINION, SURPRISED WITH TOTALLY DIFFERENT DIAGNOSIS AND FIXED FOR $117.00.. BELOW IS THE ACTUAL DEALER FINDINGS AND FIXED; , , , , 93398 SPORADIC FAULT RAN, SHORT TEST, CONNECTED CHARGER 12.31V , , , , FAULTS ACTIVE HEAD RESTRAIN FIRING CIRCUIT, FAULT OCCURENCE 1, FAULT , , , , CURRENTLY NOT PRESENT INSPECTED CONNECTIONS AND LINES, CHECKED , , , , MEASURED RESISTANCE AS SEEN BY MODUAL, WITHIN SPEC. CLEARED , , , , FAULT MEMORY SEPTEMBER 2014 BMW DEALER #3 (SERVICE) RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION LIGH IS ON IS BACK.!! TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER #3.. THIS TIME DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE BST CABLE IS CORRODED DUE TO WATER IN THE REAR VENT IN THE BATTERY AREA.. BST CABLE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND COST $919.98. SUMMARY: APRIL 2013 DEALER #1 STATES, RESTRAINT SYSTEM DEALER FIX, NO CHARGE. MAY 2015, DEALER #2 STATES BST CABLE GOT SLICED, $1,000.00 REPAIR JUNE 2013 DEALER #3 STATES HEAD RESTRAINT FIRING CIRCUIT, FIXED IT FOR $117.00 SEPT 2014 DEALER #3 NOW STATES BST CABLE GOT CORRODED, $919.98 TO REPAIR WHY ARE THEIR FINDINGS OF THE PROBLEM ARE SO INCONSISTENT??
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10722670June 1, 2015
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS, SEATS
I HAD THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION ERROR SHOW UP ON MY VEHICLE'S DASH IN 2013. AT THAT TIME, THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED SOME MODULE IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADREST. NOT SURE WHY WOULD THEY HAVE A REPLACE A MODULE IN "DRIVER SIDE" WHEN THE ERROR IS IN "PASSENGER SIDE." BUT I DIDN'T ARGUE AND LET THEM REPLACE IT AND PAID $400 FOR THE PRIVILEGE. NOW AGAIN IN APRIL 2015, SAME ERROR IS HAPPENING. FIRST THE DEALER (BMW OF CLEVELAND, SOLON, OH) COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM FOR 2 DAYS. BUT WHEN I TOLD THEM ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE VEHICLE, THEY SAY THAT NOW THE WHOLE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADREST NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THE COST IS A WHOPPING $700. THE CAR SHOWS PROBLEM IN PASSENGER SIDE, AND DEALER SAYS DRIVER SIDE HEADREST NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS PREPOSTEROUS! LOOKS LIKE THE DEALER IS TRYING TO SCAM ME ON THIS. IS THERE ANY RECALL ON THIS?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10717391May 19, 2015
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED DUE TO WATER PUMP FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BMW DEALERSHIP AND THE WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT WERE REPLACED. SOME BMW 5-SERIES WATER PUMPS HAVE BEEN RECALLED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10715851May 12, 2015
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, STEERING, SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS EXITING THE THE FREEWAY AND WHEN I WAS ON A BANKED ONRAMP THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. I LOST POWER STEERING AND THE ABILITY TO RELEASE THE BRAKE. I NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS THE UNEXPECTED LOSS IN POWER STEERING CAUSED ME TO LOOSE GRIP ON THE WHEEL. THE ENGINE WAS IN NEUTRAL WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED. UPON RESTARTING THE ENGINE (WHICH STRUGGLED TO START) THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON TELLTALE" ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE ENTERED "REDUCE ENGINE POWER MODE". AFTER SCANNING THE DTC (P3090) I LEARNED THE VEHICLE'S HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED. I NOTICED BMW HAS A RECALL ON THE ISSUE. UNFORTUNATELY THEIR RECALL ONLY COVERS THE FUEL PUMP TO 120,000 MILES AND MY VEHICLE HAS ROUGHLY 9,500 MILES ABOVE THE COVERED THRESHOLD. BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE AND READING ONLINE I FEEL THE PUMP HAS SOME SORT OF DESIGN FLAW THAT BMW HAS FAILED TO PROPERLY ADDRESS. I WISH BMW WOULD HOLD UP TO THEIR INTEGRITY AND CONTINUE TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10715386May 8, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I DISCOVERED FAILURES OF MULTIPLE WIRES IN THE TAILGATE/REAR WINDOW WIRING HARNESSES. THROUGH RESEARCH ONLINE I HAVE FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE OVER SEVERAL MODEL YEARS - SEARCH FOR BMW E61 TAILGATE WIRING PROBLEMS. THE FAILURES ARE CAUSED BY A POOR DESIGN WHERE THE WIRES ENTERING THE HINGE GUIDES (4) FOR THE GLASS AND TAILGATE ARE REPEATEDLY FLEXED AT A SHARP ANGLE UNTIL THE INSULATION, THEN THE COPPER WIRE BREAKS. SAFETY ISSUES - POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT LEADING TO FIRES (HIGHEST LOAD IS FOR REAR DEFROSTER); LIGHTING FAILURES (REAR HIGH BRAKE LIGHT, LICENSE PLATE LAMPS AND OTHERS); REDUCED VISIBILITY DUE TO LOSS OF WIPER/WASHER/DEFROSTER; REAR GLASS LATCH OPENING WHILE UNDERWAY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN LOSS OF CARGO OR INGRESS OF EXHAUST FUMES. THIS IS NOT AN EASILY REPAIRED PROBLEM. IT WOULD BE BEYOND THE CAPABILITIES OF ALL BUT A SKILLED MECHANIC WITH PROPER TOOLS. I DISCOVERED IT WHEN THE REMOTE LOCK/UNLOCK USING THE KEY FOBS FAILED. AS I INVESTIGATED I FOUND THE BROKEN WIRE, ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHERS WITH BROKEN INSULATION, SOME WITH BROKEN COPPER STRANDS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10706690April 20, 2015
STRUCTURE:BODY
WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH NOT CLOSE TO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME AND WITH NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, AND WITH THE SUNROOF CLOSED, THERE WAS A SUDDEN "EXPLOSION" ABOVE MY HEAD. IT WAS A VERY LOUD NOISE AND MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS THAT THE SUNROOF HAD BEEN SHOT. BEFORE I HAD TIME TO PULL OVER, THE SHATTERED GLASS OF THE SUNROOF BLEW OFF THE ROOF ONTO THE ROAD BEHIND ME. I DID NOT SEE ANYTHING COME OFF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME, THERE WAS NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, AND I WAS NOT GOING UNDER A BRIDGE OF ANY KIND. IT WAS AS IF THE SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED. HAD THE SUNROOF CURTAIN NOT BEEN CLOSED, ALL THAT GLASS WOULD HAVE COME INTO THE CAR AND CAUSED SIGNIFICANT INJURY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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