MYRModel Year Report

BMW 535I — years to avoid

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.

1 model year to avoid, 1 to watch and 2 best bets. Tap a year to see its problem areas, recalls and buy-smart checklist.

Avoid1 year

Caution1 year

Best bets2 years

Complaint history

1985: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1985 1986: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1987: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1988: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1989: 6 complaints, Not enough data 1990: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1990 1991: 5 complaints, Not enough data 1992: 3 complaints, Not enough data 1993: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1994: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1995: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1995 2000 2005 2008: 74 complaints, Caution 2009: 71 complaints, Recommended 2010: 58 complaints, Recommended 2011: 112 complaints, Avoid 2011 2012: 54 complaints, Recommended 2013: 38 complaints, Recommended 2014: 30 complaints, Recommended 2015: 23 complaints, Not enough data 2016: 12 complaints, Not enough data 2017: 0 complaints, Not enough data 2011 · 112
1985: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1985 1986: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1987: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1988: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1988 1989: 6 complaints, Not enough data 1990: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1991: 5 complaints, Not enough data 1991 1992: 3 complaints, Not enough data 1993: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1994: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1994 1995: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1997 2000 2003 2006 2008: 74 complaints, Caution 2009: 71 complaints, Recommended 2010: 58 complaints, Recommended 2011: 112 complaints, Avoid 2011 2012: 54 complaints, Recommended 2013: 38 complaints, Recommended 2014: 30 complaints, Recommended 2015: 23 complaints, Not enough data 2015 2016: 12 complaints, Not enough data 2017: 0 complaints, Not enough data 2011 · 112
1985: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1985 1986: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1987: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1987 1988: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1989: 6 complaints, Not enough data 1989 1990: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1991: 5 complaints, Not enough data 1991 1992: 3 complaints, Not enough data 1993: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1993 1994: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1995: 0 complaints, Not enough data 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2008: 74 complaints, Caution 2009: 71 complaints, Recommended 2009 2010: 58 complaints, Recommended 2011: 112 complaints, Avoid 2011 2012: 54 complaints, Recommended 2013: 38 complaints, Recommended 2013 2014: 30 complaints, Recommended 2015: 23 complaints, Not enough data 2015 2016: 12 complaints, Not enough data 2017: 0 complaints, Not enough data 2017 2011 · 112
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Recommended
  • Not enough data

Every year, ranked

Newest first. Find your year, then open it for the full report.

YearRankingComplaintsCompared with a typical year
2017 ○ Not enough data 0 Only 0 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2016 ○ Not enough data 12 Only 12 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2015 ○ Not enough data 23 Only 23 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2014 ▲ Recommended 30 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2013 ▲ Recommended 38 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2012 ● Recommended 54 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2011 ■ Avoid 112 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2010 ● Recommended 58 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2009 ● Recommended 71 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2008 ◆ Caution 74 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
1996–2007 No NHTSA records on file — this model year may not have been sold, or no complaints, recalls or investigations were ever filed against it.
1995 ○ Not enough data 0 Only 0 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1994 ○ Not enough data 2 Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1993 ○ Not enough data 0 Only 0 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1992 ○ Not enough data 3 Only 3 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1991 ○ Not enough data 5 Only 5 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1990 ○ Not enough data 2 Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1989 ○ Not enough data 6 Only 6 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1988 ○ Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1987 ○ Not enough data 0 Only 0 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1986 ○ Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1985 ○ Not enough data 0 Only 0 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
How the rankings work

Each model year’s distinct NHTSA complaint count is compared with the median of the same model’s other eligible years.

  • ▲ Recommended

    At least 30% fewer complaints than the model’s typical year.

  • ● Recommended

    Within 30% of the model’s typical year.

  • ◆ Caution

    30% to 100% more complaints than the typical year.

  • ■ Avoid

    More than double the complaints of the typical year.

  • ○ Not enough data

    Fewer than 30 complaints on file, or too few other years to compare with — too few for a fair verdict.

Recalls

12

recalls on file across every BMW 535I model year.

Open a year above to see that year’s own recalls, investigations, and remedies.

Other BMW models