2012 BMW 535I — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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5/5

★★★★★

Safety Rating

86

Owner Complaints

3 Fires

1

Recall

ACTIVE RECALL

7

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2012 BMW 535I

The 2012 BMW 535I has received a total of 86 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There has been 1 recall campaign affecting this vehicle, covering issues with FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP. 7 technical service bulletins have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Fuelpropulsion System (12 complaints), Engine (11 complaints), and Power Train (10 complaints).

Recalls for the 2012 BMW 535I

NHTSA has recorded 1 recall for the 2012 BMW 535I, potentially affecting up to 136,188 vehicles.

Recall 16V746000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

| 136,188 vehicles affected

Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 BMW X5 3.0si, X5 4.8i, X5 M, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i and X5 xDrive50i, 2008-2011 X6 x Drive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 535i xDrive Gran Turismo, 535i Gran Turismo, 550i xDrive Gran Turismo and 550i Gran Turismo, 2011-2012 528i, 535i, 535i xDrive,...

Consequence: The loose wires may cause the connector to melt, resulting in a fuel leak. Additionally, the fuel pump may stop working, possibly causing an engine stall and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

View full details →

Owner Complaints for the 2012 BMW 535I

86 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2012 BMW 535I. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Most Recent Complaints

#11696232 | ENGINE | | N/A miles
BMW N63 Engine Powertrain Issues 2012 535i The N63 engine, utilized in various BMW models including the 2012 535i, has been subject to multiple customer complaints regarding premature timing chain wear and other powertrain-related issues. This led BMW to introduce a "Customer Care Package," detailed in Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) B110614, to address the concerns reported by multiple owners and noted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) under ID Number 11016414. A primary cause of the issue is accelerated timing chain wear. The N63 engine's design features timing chains that are prone to stretching prematurely. This stretching can disrupt the precise timing of the engine's valves, leading to a cascade of problems. As a consequence, owners have reported a variety of symptoms, including the illumination of the "drivetrain malfunction" warning light, noticeable engine noise, excessive vibration, and potentially catastrophic engine failure. The "drivetrain malfunction" message, in particular, is a frequently cited indicator of this underlying powertrain problem. To address these widely reported issues, the N63 Customer Care Package was implemented. This service bulletin instructs authorized BMW technicians to perform a series of diagnostic tests. The main objective is to detect if the timing chains have stretched beyond acceptable tolerances. If excessive wear is confirmed, the TSB provides a detailed procedure for the necessary repairs. This often involves replacing the timing chains and related components to restore proper engine function. Beyond the core timing chain replacement, the Customer Care Package also includes several proactive and preventative measures. Technicians are instructed to check and potentially replace other components, such as fuel injectors and boost solenoids, which may have been impacted or contributed to the engine's performance issues. Furthermore, the service includes reprogramming the vehicle's software
#11696232 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | | N/A miles
BMW N63 Engine Powertrain Issues 2012 535i The N63 engine, utilized in various BMW models including the 2012 535i, has been subject to multiple customer complaints regarding premature timing chain wear and other powertrain-related issues. This led BMW to introduce a "Customer Care Package," detailed in Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) B110614, to address the concerns reported by multiple owners and noted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) under ID Number 11016414. A primary cause of the issue is accelerated timing chain wear. The N63 engine's design features timing chains that are prone to stretching prematurely. This stretching can disrupt the precise timing of the engine's valves, leading to a cascade of problems. As a consequence, owners have reported a variety of symptoms, including the illumination of the "drivetrain malfunction" warning light, noticeable engine noise, excessive vibration, and potentially catastrophic engine failure. The "drivetrain malfunction" message, in particular, is a frequently cited indicator of this underlying powertrain problem. To address these widely reported issues, the N63 Customer Care Package was implemented. This service bulletin instructs authorized BMW technicians to perform a series of diagnostic tests. The main objective is to detect if the timing chains have stretched beyond acceptable tolerances. If excessive wear is confirmed, the TSB provides a detailed procedure for the necessary repairs. This often involves replacing the timing chains and related components to restore proper engine function. Beyond the core timing chain replacement, the Customer Care Package also includes several proactive and preventative measures. Technicians are instructed to check and potentially replace other components, such as fuel injectors and boost solenoids, which may have been impacted or contributed to the engine's performance issues. Furthermore, the service includes reprogramming the vehicle's software
#11696232 | POWER TRAIN | | N/A miles
BMW N63 Engine Powertrain Issues 2012 535i The N63 engine, utilized in various BMW models including the 2012 535i, has been subject to multiple customer complaints regarding premature timing chain wear and other powertrain-related issues. This led BMW to introduce a "Customer Care Package," detailed in Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) B110614, to address the concerns reported by multiple owners and noted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) under ID Number 11016414. A primary cause of the issue is accelerated timing chain wear. The N63 engine's design features timing chains that are prone to stretching prematurely. This stretching can disrupt the precise timing of the engine's valves, leading to a cascade of problems. As a consequence, owners have reported a variety of symptoms, including the illumination of the "drivetrain malfunction" warning light, noticeable engine noise, excessive vibration, and potentially catastrophic engine failure. The "drivetrain malfunction" message, in particular, is a frequently cited indicator of this underlying powertrain problem. To address these widely reported issues, the N63 Customer Care Package was implemented. This service bulletin instructs authorized BMW technicians to perform a series of diagnostic tests. The main objective is to detect if the timing chains have stretched beyond acceptable tolerances. If excessive wear is confirmed, the TSB provides a detailed procedure for the necessary repairs. This often involves replacing the timing chains and related components to restore proper engine function. Beyond the core timing chain replacement, the Customer Care Package also includes several proactive and preventative measures. Technicians are instructed to check and potentially replace other components, such as fuel injectors and boost solenoids, which may have been impacted or contributed to the engine's performance issues. Furthermore, the service includes reprogramming the vehicle's software
#11649879 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | N/A miles Fire
The car was parked overnight. In the morning around dusk , it spontaneously caught fire.
#11637534 | AIR BAGS | | N/A miles
UNKNOWN passenger restraint system malfunction message started coming.

View all Fuelpropulsion System complaints →

Safety Rating for the 2012 BMW 535I

The 2012 BMW 535I received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Test Category Rating
Overall Rating ★★★★★ (5/5)
Frontal Crash ★★★★ (4/5)
Side Crash ★★★★★ (5/5)
Rollover ★★★★★ (5/5)

Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2012 BMW 535I

BMW of North America, LLC has issued 7 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2012 BMW 535I. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

121712 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

N52T / N55 with 8HP45: Delay in Engine Response. A customer may complain of a delay in engine response after decelerating at low road speeds and then reaccelerating. This can occur when the transmission remains in a high gear due to a delay in the transmission downshifting. This situation can...

B520412 — SEATS

Front Seat Base Makes Noise. A noise may be heard from the left or right front seat base when driving on rough roads. CAUSE The riveting of the seat control bracket to the metal seat base is too loose.

340914 — WHEELS

SUBJECT Wheel Speed Sensor Faults Cannot Be Cleared. The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) warning light comes on while driving. The following DSC fault codes for the wheel speed sensors are stored: ? 480712 and/or ? 480715 and/or ? 480718 and/or ? 48071B They cannot be cleared, even though the wheel...

710214 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

Service Action: Replace Emission Label. Certain 2015 model year vehicles with N47T and N57T diesel engines were produced with an "emissions" label which contains incorrect information pertaining to the 2015 model year. Affected vehicles in dealer inventory must not be retailed or delivered until this issue is corrected. Vehicles at...

121712 — POWER TRAIN

N52T / N55 with 8HP45: Delay in Engine Response. A customer may complain of a delay in engine response after decelerating at low road speeds and then reaccelerating. This can occur when the transmission remains in a high gear due to a delay in the transmission downshifting. This situation can...

512111 — EQUIPMENT

Noises from the Glove Compartment Door. When vehicle is in motion, a grating or creaking noise may be heard from the glove compartment area. CAUSE The coating on the centering ribs of the glove compartment door has worn off.

310112 — POWER TRAIN

Clicking Noise from Front Axle. Clicking noises are heard from the front axle area while maneuvering at low speeds (e.g., parking lot maneuvers). CAUSE Movement between the contact surfaces of the wheel bearing and swivel bearing (knuckle)

NHTSA Investigations for the 2012 BMW 535I

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the BMW 535I

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Other BMW Models

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