Model year

2012 BMW 535XI

Sedan, gasoline, AWD/All-Wheel Drive, built in Germany. Owner complaints on file from Sep 18, 2012 to Mar 19, 2019.

Recall campaigns covering this model year0No recall campaign lists this model year
Owner complaints18Below the median 2012 sedan
Severity index0.02012 sedans average 7.6
First 24 months6Complaints in its first two years
Complaints over time

Complaints about the 2012 BMW 535XI peaked in 2013, with 4 filed

Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.

01234201242014201620182020202220242026
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Components

44% of complaints about the 2012 BMW 535XI name tires

Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.

Tires
8
Wheels
4
Lighting
2
Fuel system
2
Airbags
1
Seats
1
Suspension
1
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls

No recall campaign lists the 2012 BMW 535XI

Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.

Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints

What owners reported about the 2012 BMW 535XI

The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.

18 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.

  1. Filed Mar 19, 2019Failure Dec 2, 201549,000 milesPrinceton, NJExterior lighting

    FRONT HEADLIGHTS BUILDS UP CONDENSATION AND ALOT OF WATER. LOWERING VISIBILITY.

    NHTSA complaint 11189881
  2. Filed Jan 15, 2019Failure Dec 27, 201876,000 milesAndover, KSFront passenger, Air bags, Occupant classification

    MY CAR HAS 76,000 MILES ON IT AND THE ERROR POPPED UP ON THE MAIN SCREEN OF " "PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION." IT ADVISED ME TO TAKE THE CAR TO A SERVICE CENTER WHICH I DID. BMW OF WICHITA DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AS THE PASSENGER SEAT MAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY QUOTED ME $2,500 TO FIX THE ISSUE AND I ASKED THEM IF THIS WAS BECAUSE OF DAMAGE OR ABUSE BY THE OWNER AND THEY SAID NO IT JUST A PART THAT FAILED. I CALLED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA AND ASKED IF THEY WOULD OFFER ASSISTANCE IN THE REPAIR AND THEY SAID THERE WERE NOT ANY RECALLS OR SERVICE BULLETINS ON THE VEHICLE AND THEREFORE THEY WOULD NOT HAVE ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ONLINE I SET THERE ARE OTHERS WITH THIS ISSUE AND SO I FIGURED I WOULD REPORT IT TO YOU. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS OFF A COLD START AND BEFORE ANYONE SAT IN THE SEAT AND HAS CONTINUED SINCE.

    NHTSA complaint 11170230
  3. Filed Jan 1, 2019Failure Jan 1, 2019Pittsburgh, PAExterior lighting

    WATER CONDENSES INSIDE THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS IMPACTING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE LIGHTING SSYSTEM. REPORTED THIS WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW BUT WAS TOLD IT WAS NORMAL. SINCE THEN I HAVE FOUND MANY OTHERS REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM

    NHTSA complaint 11164369
  4. Filed Mar 16, 2018Failure Mar 2, 201860,000 milesExeter, NHSeats

    THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT HEATER SUDDENLY BEGAN TO OVERHEAT WHEN THE CAR WAS APPROXIMATELY 3 YEARS OLD. THE HEAT BECAME SO INTENSE IT WAS NECESSARY TO TURN OFF THE HEATER FOR FEAR OF BURNS. THE SEAT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM JUST RECURRED WITH THE NEW SEAT, THREE YEARS AFTER THE FIRST SEAT WAS REPLACED; THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. THIS APPEARS TO BE A PERSISTENT DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING FLAW, OCCURRING IN TWO CONSECUTIVE SEATS.

    NHTSA complaint 11079762
  5. Filed Nov 4, 2016Failure Oct 1, 201442,000 milesMadeira Beach, FLFuel/propulsion system

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 535XI. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

    NHTSA complaint 10924198
  6. Filed May 4, 2016Failure May 21, 201423,000 milesBoylston, MAWheels

    CAR WAS PURCHASED USED WITH 10,000 MI. WITHIN 1 YEAR, ABOUT 13,000 MI. BUBBLES APPEARED ON 2 GOODYEAR RUNFLAT TIRES, DUE TO POTHOLES. AFTER REPLACING 2 TIRES, I REPLACED ALL 4 WITH BRIDGESTONE RUNFLATS. NO ISSUES WITH BRIDGESTONE TIRES. GOODYEARS ARE NOT GOOD, AND SHOULD NOT BE USED ON THESE CARS.

    NHTSA complaint 10863212
  7. Filed Oct 23, 2015Failure Oct 16, 201535,000 milesJupiter, FLUnknown or other

    BMW HAS AN ISSUE WITH RUN FLAT TIRE ON CERTAIN MODELS AND CONTINUES TO REPLACE THESE TIRES, KNOWING THAT THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH GOODYEAR EAGLE LS2 TIRES. HAVING RECENTLY REPLACED 5 TIRES RECENTLY AND A 6TH TIRE TWO YEARS AGO THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. BMW CORPORATE CUSTOMER SERVICE CLAIMS THESE ARE THE TIRES FOR THESES MODEL CARS. OUT OF SIX TIRES BMW DID AGREE TO REPLACE TWO LAST DECEMBER. THEY NOW SAY THIS IS THE TIRE FOR THIS CAR...LUCKILY, NO ONE SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES WITH THESE HIGHWAY BLOWOUTS OCCURRED. NO MORE BMW"S FOR ME UNTIL THE COMPANY ADMITS THEY HAVE A "PROBLEM" THIS IS NOT A NEW PROBLEM AND A RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE MONTHS AGO.

    NHTSA complaint 10785551
  8. Filed Oct 20, 2015Failure Oct 16, 201535,719 milesJupiter, FLUnknown or other

    CAR HAS HAD 3 BLOW OUTS OF RUN FLAT GOODYEAR LS2 TIRES ON HIGHWAY AND 3 TIRES WITH SIDEWALL BUBBLES THAT WERE UNSAFE TO DRIVE VEHICLE. 5 TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED IN LESS THAN 10 MONTHS AND LESS THAN 5,000 MILE ON A TIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS 35,000 MILES IN 37 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP.

    NHTSA complaint 10783727
  9. Filed Jul 9, 2015Failure Feb 6, 20159,500 milesTuckahoe, NYSuspension

    A BUBBLE APPEAR ON THE SIDE WALL FROM AN APPARENT ROAD DIVOT. SINCE THAT INCIDENT I HAVE 4 MORE TIRES WITH A BUBBLE IN THEM ALL THE SAME TIRE BRAND. I AM TO ACCEPT THIS BECAUSE BUYER BEWARE APPLIES HERE. THE POSSIBLE TRAFFIC DANGERS THIS MAY CAUSE SHOULD IT BE BUYER BEWARE OR NHTSA GET INVOLVED AND MANDATE TIRE MANUFACTURERS PROVIDE A WARNING TO THE BUYER.

    NHTSA complaint 10732893
  10. Filed Sep 29, 2014Failure Sep 22, 201418,130 milesColumbus, OHTires, Wheels

    I HAVE GOODYEAR EAGLE LS-2 RUNONFLAT 245/45/18 WITH 18K ON THEM. I STARTED HEARING A TIRE NOISE WHEN I WOULD DRIVE OVER 50MPH. I THEN LOOKED AT MY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE AND NOTICED A BULGE. I DO NOT REMEMBER HITTING ANY POTHOLE OR CURB THAT WOULD CAUSE THIS TO HAPPEN. AFTER INVESTIGATING THIS ONLINE, I FOUND THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH SEVERAL OWNERS OF THESE TIRES. GOODYEAR SHOULD REIMBURSE ANYONE WHO HAS TO REPLACE. I WILL NOT BE INSTALLING THESE TIRES AGAIN AND I WOULD ADVISE OTHERS NOT TO BUY A NEW OR USED CAR WITH THESE TIRES ON THEM. GOODYEAR KNOWS THIS IS A CONTINUAL PROBLEM BUT IS NOT DOING THE RIGHT THING BY RECALLING THESE TIRES. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10639707
  11. Filed Sep 21, 2014Failure Sep 14, 201424,000 milesMedford, MATires, Wheels

    GOODYEAR LOW PROFILE TIRES. 245/40R19 98V LS2. TODAY MY TIRE SPLIT. THIS IS THE 5TH TIRE ON THIS VEHICLE I HAVE HAD REPLACED IN THE LAST 20 MONTHS. I ALSO HAVE A BUBBLE IN ANOTHER TIRE THAT NEEDS REPLACEMENT. THESE TIRES ARE DEFECTIVE. THESE SPLITS AND BUBBLES ARE FROM ROUTINE DRIVING. YOU DON'T HAVE TO RIDE OVER A CRATER TO DAMAGE THIS TIRE. ANY SMALL BUMP WILL BUBBLE OR SPLIT THE RUBBER. GOODYEAR HAS YET TO OWN UP TO THESE DEFECTS. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10637857
  12. Filed Aug 12, 2014Failure Aug 1, 201428,455 milesHolland, PATires

    I RAN OVER A SMALL POTHOLE AND MY GOODYEAR LS2 TIRE IMMEDIATELY DEVELOPED A BUBBLE IN THE SIDEWALL MAKING THE TIRE UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON. THESE TIRES HAVE LESS THAN 20,000 MILES ON THEM AND THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THAT THIS SAME DEFECT APPEARED IN A TIRE ON THIS CAR. THESE GOODYEAR TIRES ARE UNSAFE AS ONLY A MODERATE BUMP OR POTHOLE RENDERS THEM INOPERABLE. GOODYEAR AND BMW ARE DOING NOTHING ABOUT THIS SITUATION AND ITS DANGEROUS. THE CAR HAS A DESIGN DEFECT THATS EITHER IN THE TIRE CONSTRUCTION OR IN THE SPECIFICATION OF THIS TIRE ON THIS WHEEL. IN ADDITION, I HAVE THE 19 INCH TIRE SIZE WHICH IS NOT AVAILABLE ANYWHERE BUT THE BMW DEALER FOR $450 EACH. BMW HAS IN EFFECT CORNERED THE AFTERMARKET ON THIS 19 INCH REPLACEMENT TIRE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS AND COSTLY SITUATION FOR CONSUMERS. NHTSA SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. BMW SHOULD RECALL THE CARS WITH THIS WHEEL/TIRE COMBO AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE TIRES WITH ANOTHER TIRE. THIS TIRES SIDEWALL IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF A CAR THATS THIS HEAVY AND NOT TALL ENOUGH TO CUSHION THE IMPACT OF A POTHOLE. IT'S JUST UNSAFE. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10621602
  13. Filed Jun 19, 2013Failure Apr 9, 201311,017 milesSeattle, WATires, Wheels

    THREE TIRES HAD LARGE BUBBLES, FIRST TIRE AT 11,000, TWO MORE AT 12,000. TIRES WERE ORIGINAL FOR A 2012 BMW 535XI SPORT. TIRES WERE "GOODYEAR EAGLE LS-2 RUNONFLAT 245/40R19" TIRES HAVE GENTLE USE, 99% FREEWAY DRIVING ON GOOD ROADS. TIRES ARE VERY DANGEROUS AND MUST BE RECALLED. BMW KNOWS THIS BECAUSE THEY QUICKLY REPLACED THEM WITH MICHELIN'S AT PRORATED COST. PLEASE TAKE ACTION TO RECALL THESE TIRES! *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10520703
  14. Filed May 18, 2013Failure Apr 14, 201325,000 milesSharon, MATires

    2012 BMW 535 XDRIVE 27000 MILES. 2.5 INCH BUBBLE ON RIGHT FRONT SIDEWALL, CRACK ON SIDEWALL OF REAR TIRE. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10512666
  15. Filed Mar 12, 2013Failure Mar 9, 20139,000 milesBronxville, NYTires

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 535 XI EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR EAGLE LS2 TIRES, SIZE 245/40/R19. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH OVER A POT HOLE, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WAS REPAIRED WITH A NEW FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HER THAT THE TIRES WERE RUN FLAT TIRES AND WERE MADE THINLY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE OF THE TIRE WAS APPROXIMATELY 600. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS APPROXIMATELY 9,000. THE DOT NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10502460
  16. Filed Feb 8, 2013Failure Jan 31, 201312,000 milesGalesburg, ILFuel/propulsion system

    IT WAS 530AM AND WE WERE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING, AND I WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. FEW CARS ON THE ROAD.OUT OF NO WHERE WE HEAR A LOUD BOOM COMING FROM WHAT SOUNDS THE BACK OF THE CAR. AFTER THE BOOM NOTHING HAPPENED FOR ABOUT 2 MINUTES. THEN THE CAR HAD A MESSAGE OF "DRIVE TRAIN ISSUE DRIVE MODERATELY" THEN THE CAR COMPLETELY STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY. WE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND CALLED THE ILLINOIS STATE POLICE. THEY ARRIVED WITHIN TWENTY MINUTES OF OUR CALL. AS THE OFFICER PULLED UP, AND WE EXPLAINED WHAT WE THOUGHT HAPPENED HE EXPRESSED THAT HE DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING AT ALL IN THE ROAD (HE WAS TRAVELING IN THE SAME DIRECTION AS WE WERE). WE HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST BMW DEALERSHIP WHICH WAS KIMBERLY BMW IN DAVENPORT, IA. WE RENTED A CAR AND CONTINUED TO CHICAGO SO WE RENTED A CAR AND CONTINUED OUR TRIP. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER WE RECEIVED A CALL FROM KIMBERLY BMW AND THEY STATED THAT THE GAS TANK BLADDER HAD BEEN PUNCTURED, AND THAT IT WAS OUR FAULT NOT A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT?? WE HIT NOTHING, WE SAW NOTHING, THERE WAS NO SIGN OF ANY DAMAGE TO INSINUATE THAT WE HIT SOMETHING OTHER THAN THE "PUNCTURED GAS TANK". KIMBERLY BMW SAID THEY TOOK PICTURES. WE REPEATEDLY ASKED THEM TO BE EMAIL, TEXT MESSAGE, ANY MEANS NECESSARY SO WE COULD TAKE A LOOK AT THE PICTURES. WE DEMANDED THAT THE PUNCTURED TANK BE LEFT FOR OUR INSPECTION UPON PICKING UP THE CAR, AND WE NEVER RECEIVED IT. UPON CALLING BMW THEY STUCK BY KIMBERLY BMW STATING KIMBERLY BMW HAS "PICTURES" AND LEFT IT AT THAT. NO ONE FROM BMW CAN SAY THAT THEY HAVE ACTUALLY SEEN THE PICTURES. I TRULY BELIEVE THEY ARE COVERING UP A DEFECT IN THE GAS TANK OF THE VEHICLE. WE PAID THE MONEY TO HAVE THE CAR FIXED. ITS NOT AT ALL ABOUT THE MONEY IT IS ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND THE MOTORIST AROUND US. OUR CONCERNS HAVE FELL ON DEAF EARS. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10496821
  17. Filed Nov 23, 2012Failure Nov 17, 201213,500 milesNEW York, NYTires

    THERE IS A BUBBLE THAT HAS FORMED ON MY TIRES VERY OFTEN AND HAS FORCED ME TO REPLACE 4 TIRES IN 10 MONTHS. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10485817
  18. Filed Sep 18, 2012Failure Apr 17, 20128 milesSalt Lake City, UTTires

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 535XI EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR EAGLE LS-2 TIRES, SIZE 245/40R19. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN HE WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE BUBBLES IN THE FRONT DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER TIRES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TIRES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,000.

    NHTSA complaint 10475829
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations

NHTSA has not opened an investigation on this model year

Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins

11 manufacturer communications cover this model year

Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.

  • B510819 Jan 16, 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
  • B611305 Jan 11, 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle âdisc…
  • B160623 Dec 20, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Engine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel module (TFE) whendiagnosing with ISTA. The following two fault codes will be stored in the DME: 032B43 - Low fuel pressure system, electric fuel pump: pressure value too l…
  • B653423 Nov 22, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicleâ™s equipment and settings, no acoustic or optical confirmation (folding the mirrors/blinking confirmation) is noticeable. Additio…
  • SIM010917 Jun 1, 2017 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Shipping specific non-deployed vehicle safety devices to lighting resources, llc. This service Information bulletin provides information on shipping "specific" noin-deployed vehicle safety devices that are classified as Dangerous Goods (DG) to Lighting reso…
  • SIM010717 Jun 1, 2017 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    The engine?s intake charge-air duct limited warranty extension to 10 years/120,000 miles applies to ?eligible USspecification
  • SIB-63-11-14 Oct 1, 2014 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    BMW: ON SOME VEHICLES, WHEN STARTING, LOW BEAM, WITH 0552 OPTION, WOULD BRIEFLY FLASHES, DUE TO A FAULTY LED MAIN LIGHT MODULE THAT NEEDS REPLACING. MODEL 2008-14 F01, F02, F06, F07, F10, F12, F13, F25. *PE
  • SIB-12-13-13 Jun 1, 2013 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    BMW: ENGINE, DUE TO AMBIENT TEMPERATURES AND ENGINE IS COLD, FAILS TO TURN OVER ON FIRST ATTEMPT, BUT AND WILL TURN OVER AT SECOND OR THIRD ATTEMPTS. MODEL 2010-2012 F10. *PE
  • SIB-12-18-12 Nov 1, 2012 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    BMW: IF BSD COMMUNICATION IS DISRUPTED, OIL LEVEL SENSOR DATA IS NO LONGER RECEIVED BY DME. BSD COMMUNICATION FAULT(S), AFTER REPAIRS ARE SHORTLY SET, REQUIRES REMOVAL OF IGNITION HARNESS FROM CYLINDER HEAD COVER. ALL MODELS. NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE
  • SB-1214 Oct 12, 2012 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    BMW: VEHICLES NEEDS DIAGNOSING FOR N63 MISFIRE FAULTS WHEN SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP IS ILLUMINATED. LACK OF DIAGNOSING ENGINE OR FUEL SYSTEM COULD CAUSE INCORRECT DIAGNOSIS AND REPEATED REPAIR ATTEMPTS. NO MODELS OR MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE
  • SIB-11-03-08 Mar 1, 2013 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    BMW: CRANKCASE PRESSURE DIAGNOSIS AND INFORMATION FOR ALL VEHICLES. *RM UPDATED ON 4/24/2013. *KB
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.