2013 BMW 535I Problems & Recalls
Detailed safety information and owner complaints
Problem Breakdown
Compare to Other Years
Common Problems
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, and ActiveHybrid 5 vehicles. The rear reflex reflectors may not reflect e...
My 2013 BMW 535i (VIN [XXX] ) caught fire spontaneously while parked, turned off, and unoccupied on 11/18/2025 in Westbury, NY. A passerby saw smoke and called 911. Nassau County Police and the Westbury Fire Department responded. Firefighters informed me at the scene that the fire was mechanical in ...
My 2013 BMW 535i (VIN [XXX] ) caught fire spontaneously while parked, turned off, and unoccupied on 11/18/2025 in Westbury, NY. A passerby saw smoke and called 911. Nassau County Police and the Westbury Fire Department responded. Firefighters informed me at the scene that the fire was mechanical in ...
My 2013 BMW 535i (VIN [XXX] ) caught fire spontaneously while parked, turned off, and unoccupied on 11/18/2025 in Westbury, NY. A passerby saw smoke and called 911. Nassau County Police and the Westbury Fire Department responded. Firefighters informed me at the scene that the fire was mechanical in ...
Heard a clicking noise behind the steering wheel for a few days then I’ll the sudden the horn stopped working and all the controls on the steering wheel stopped working. I’m a mechanic so I took apart the clock spring stealing wheel compartment to find all of the wire broken and very very brittl...
Heard a clicking noise behind the steering wheel for a few days then I’ll the sudden the horn stopped working and all the controls on the steering wheel stopped working. I’m a mechanic so I took apart the clock spring stealing wheel compartment to find all of the wire broken and very very brittl...
Heard a clicking noise behind the steering wheel for a few days then I’ll the sudden the horn stopped working and all the controls on the steering wheel stopped working. I’m a mechanic so I took apart the clock spring stealing wheel compartment to find all of the wire broken and very very brittl...
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 535I. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the engine was overheating. Additionally, the contact noticed an abnormal burning odor while driving, with smoke coming from underneath the hood while at a complete stop. The dealer and the manufacturer were not no...
Mileage: 200,000
After the replacement of all 02 sensors and fuses, the fault code returns and was traced back to the integrated supply module/IVm
After the replacement of all 02 sensors and fuses, the fault code returns and was traced back to the integrated supply module/IVm
Headlight Assembly has issues with the seal and condensation can/does enter the headlight assembly rendering the functionality of the headlight as suspect. Without proper lighting and condensation in front of the headlight which greatly impacts/effects the clarity and visibility of objects in the f...
Back passenger door handle started smoking.
Front drive shaft detached and went into oil pan causing oils to splash out everywhere.
Water pump failure with @32,900 miles on odometer. Cost to replace $2,800
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 535I. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, an abnormal clicking sound was coming from the passenger’s side of the vehicle. Soon after hearing the noise, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the passenger’s si...
Mileage: 165,000
The headlight housing on my model year is leaking water into it and causing electrical issues , Iv noticed majority of other models I see on the road have the same issue with one of the headlight housings having water in them, this has caused numerous codes to appear on the dash. “ Vertical headli...
The headlight housing on my model year is leaking water into it and causing electrical issues , Iv noticed majority of other models I see on the road have the same issue with one of the headlight housings having water in them, this has caused numerous codes to appear on the dash. “ Vertical headli...
The headlight housing on my model year is leaking water into it and causing electrical issues , Iv noticed majority of other models I see on the road have the same issue with one of the headlight housings having water in them, this has caused numerous codes to appear on the dash. “ Vertical headli...
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 535I. The contact stated that the driver’s side headlamp had condensation inside the headlamp housing. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who replaced the headlamp housing. The contact stated that the failure recurred with the passenger’s side headlamp hous...
Driver side rear air spring failure.
Seat belt my driver restraint light has come on on my car there is a known safety recall on BMW takeda airbags second issue my horn has suddenly stopped working is this related to my airbag as they are in the same area of components basically I don't know if my airbag will work in a collision and I ...
Seat belt my driver restraint light has come on on my car there is a known safety recall on BMW takeda airbags second issue my horn has suddenly stopped working is this related to my airbag as they are in the same area of components basically I don't know if my airbag will work in a collision and I ...
Moonroof glass exploded while on highway at 60mph No other cars in around at time Moonroof blew outwards Nothing hit roof at all
2011-2013 HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES ARE SUBJECT TO LEAKING AND THUS SOON FAIL. THIS IS AN EXTENSIVE FAILURE AS IT IMPACTS THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY (ROUGHLY A $2,000 PART) AND OF COURSE IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFELY PROBLEM. ADDITIONALLY, I HAVE SEEN MANY POSTS ON BMW FORUMS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM AND HE...
Mileage: 79,500
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE MESSAGE PARKING LIGHT MALFUNCTION AND ADAPTIVE HEAD LIGHT MALFUNCTION WERE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ADDITIONALLY, THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT MALFUNCTIONED AND WOULD NOT OPERATE. THE CAUSE OF THE ...
Mileage: 55,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE MESSAGE PARKING LIGHT MALFUNCTION AND ADAPTIVE HEAD LIGHT MALFUNCTION WERE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ADDITIONALLY, THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT MALFUNCTIONED AND WOULD NOT OPERATE. THE CAUSE OF THE ...
Mileage: 55,000
MALFUNCTION OF DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT CONDENSATION WAS TOLD THAT THE REASON THE MODULES FOR CONTROLLING DAYTIME BURNING LIGHTS HEADLIGHTS AND TURN SIGNAL WERE CAUSED WATER GETTING ON THE MODULES THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THERE'S NO TURN SIGNALS NO WAY FOR OTHER DRIVERS TO SEE MAKING RIGHT OR LEF...
MALFUNCTION OF DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT CONDENSATION WAS TOLD THAT THE REASON THE MODULES FOR CONTROLLING DAYTIME BURNING LIGHTS HEADLIGHTS AND TURN SIGNAL WERE CAUSED WATER GETTING ON THE MODULES THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THERE'S NO TURN SIGNALS NO WAY FOR OTHER DRIVERS TO SEE MAKING RIGHT OR LEF...
WATER AND MOISTURE IS ACCUMULATING IN BOTH HEADLIGHTS WHEN IT RAINS CAUSING THEM NOT TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. I'VE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURE AND WAS ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD NOT TAKE ACTION AS THE VEHICLES IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE TWO OTHER ...
Mileage: 60,000
DRIVE SHAFT IS HITTING THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TIRE SENSORS KEEP POPPING UP AND SWEAT BELT IS MALFUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THESE THINGS OCCURRED.
Mileage: 140,000
DRIVE SHAFT IS HITTING THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TIRE SENSORS KEEP POPPING UP AND SWEAT BELT IS MALFUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THESE THINGS OCCURRED.
Mileage: 140,000
DRIVE SHAFT IS HITTING THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TIRE SENSORS KEEP POPPING UP AND SWEAT BELT IS MALFUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THESE THINGS OCCURRED.
Mileage: 140,000
THE BMW HAD RUN FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES A COLD MORNING WITH THE DRIVER CAR SEAT HEATER ON. IT SUDDENLY BEGAN TO SMOKE UNTIL THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF. THE GREY LEATHER SEAT NOW HAS A BURN MARK, AND WE DO NOT TURN ON THE CAR SEAT HEATER UNTIL THIS IS EVALUATED.
Mileage: 80,000
THERMOSTAT & WATER PUMPS FAIL ON THESE VEHICLES PREMATURELY. MANY OWNERS ARE BLOGGING ONLINE THAT THESE VEHICLES HAVE EARLY (AND FREQUENT) FAILURES WITH THERMOSTATS & WATER PUMPS. THESE FAILURES LEAD TO THE VEHICLE FORCING YOU QUICKLY TO SLOW DOWN AND PULL OVER(LIMP MODE) - SOMETIMES NOT IN THE MOST...
Mileage: 70,000
AIR SUSPENSION. CAR LEANED LEFT AFTER SITTING, BUT THE AIR SPRING PUMPED UP ON VEHICLE START-UP. CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO IDENTIFIED A LEAKING LEFT REAR AIR SUSPENSION SPRING. IDENTIFIED TECHNICAL BULLETIN (SI B37 01 15) NOTING FAULTY INSTALLATION DURING ASSEMBLY. THE BULLETING RECOMMEND...
Mileage: 40,500
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 535I. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEITH BMW (5603 CAPITAL BLVD, RALEIGH, NC 27616, (919) 882-2420) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS...
Mileage: 58,000
EARLIER THIS YEAR, WATER WAS NOTICED IN THE FRONT LEFT HEADLIGHT. DEALER NOTIFIED ME THAT A SEAL WAS BROKEN AND THE UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ($2500+). 2 WEEKS LATER, THE FRONT RIGHT HEADLIGHT DID THE EXACT SAME THING. VEHICLE IS APPROX. 4.5 YEARS OLD WITH 55K MILES. SHOP FOREMAN TOLD ME THIS PARTI...
Mileage: 55,000
TAKATA INFLATORS- BMW HAS FAILED ON SOLVED THIS RECALL IN A TIMELY MANNER EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A POTENTIALLY SAFETY RISK RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. ITS BEEN A YEAR AND NO FIX HAS BEEN AVAILABLE EVEN THOUGH I LIVE IN ZONE A (PUERTO RIO), ZONE ASSOCIATED WITH THE MOST AT RISK VEHICLE PER NH...
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LATCH WILL NOT UNLOCK FROM INSIDE UNLESS CENTRAL DOOR UNLOCK BUTTON IS PUSHED OR KEYFOB UNLOCK BUTTON IS PUSHED. PLUNGER MOVES UP AND DOWN WITH DOOR HANDLE BUT DOES NOT OPEN DOOR. BECAUSE THIS CAR DISCONNECTS THE BATTERY IN AN ACCIDENT I AM AFRAID THAT I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT...
Mileage: 56,000
RUBBER SEPARATING AND SIDEWALL BUBBLES AT 15K -30K MILES. VEHICLE IS ADULT DRIVEN ON PAVED ROADS.
AS I WAS LEAVING THE STOP SIGN AND ENTERING THE BUSY INTERSECTION, MY ENGINE SUDDENLY DIED. THE SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED A FEW DAYS LATER. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 15 MPH, AGAIN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY DIED.WE TOOK THE CAR TO BMW ENCINITAS FOR ITS FIRST MAINTAINANCE CHECK AND WE DID MENTION THESE TWO SCARY ...
Mileage: 6,000
AS I WAS LEAVING THE STOP SIGN AND ENTERING THE BUSY INTERSECTION, MY ENGINE SUDDENLY DIED. THE SECOND INCIDENT HAPPENED A FEW DAYS LATER. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 15 MPH, AGAIN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY DIED.WE TOOK THE CAR TO BMW ENCINITAS FOR ITS FIRST MAINTAINANCE CHECK AND WE DID MENTION THESE TWO SCARY ...
Mileage: 6,000
GOODYEAR 245-40R-19 TIRES ON MY 2013 BMW 535XI ARE DEFECTIVE. AT 11K MILES, I HAD TO REPLACE ONE TIRE AND THEN AT 15K I HAD TO REPLACE ANOTHER DUE TO SIDE WALL "BUBBLING". DEALER INFORMED ME THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY WITH THESE TIRES AND THERE "IS NOTHING BMW OR GOODYEAR" WILL DO FOR THE CONSUMER. G...
Mileage: 4,000
BMW 535I SUNROOF GLASS EXPLODED OUTWARD. BROKEN GLASS (THOUSANDS OF SHARDS) CAUSED MULTIPLE SCRATCHES IN PAINT AND DIFFICULTY WITH TRUNK LID. REPAIRS COST $6000. BMW DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE RESPONSIBILITY UNDER WARRANTY, ALTHOUGH THEY DID ADMIT THAT THE GLASS SUNROOF WAS A WARRANTABLE ITEM. UNEXPLAINED ...
Mileage: 20,000
BMW 535I SUNROOF GLASS EXPLODED OUTWARD. BROKEN GLASS (THOUSANDS OF SHARDS) CAUSED MULTIPLE SCRATCHES IN PAINT AND DIFFICULTY WITH TRUNK LID. REPAIRS COST $6000. BMW DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE RESPONSIBILITY UNDER WARRANTY, ALTHOUGH THEY DID ADMIT THAT THE GLASS SUNROOF WAS A WARRANTABLE ITEM. UNEXPLAINED ...
Mileage: 20,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 535I. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING DOWN A HILL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE O...
Mileage: 12,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 535I. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING DOWN A HILL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE O...
Mileage: 12,000
DRIVING NEW 2013 535I (HEAVILY EQUIPPED) ABOUT 50 MPH IN 55 MPH ZONE ON A CLEAR EVENING W/LOW TRAFFIC. SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING BMW COLLIDED INTO REAR-END OF ILLEGALLY PARKED VEHICLE LACKING ANY WARNING LIGHTS OR FLARES. BMW RAMMED ADVERSE PARKED VEHICLE APPROX. 16' BEFORE PULL APART. AIR BAG...
Mileage: 10,000
DRIVING NEW 2013 535I (HEAVILY EQUIPPED) ABOUT 50 MPH IN 55 MPH ZONE ON A CLEAR EVENING W/LOW TRAFFIC. SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING BMW COLLIDED INTO REAR-END OF ILLEGALLY PARKED VEHICLE LACKING ANY WARNING LIGHTS OR FLARES. BMW RAMMED ADVERSE PARKED VEHICLE APPROX. 16' BEFORE PULL APART. AIR BAG...
Mileage: 10,000
DRIVING NEW 2013 535I (HEAVILY EQUIPPED) ABOUT 50 MPH IN 55 MPH ZONE ON A CLEAR EVENING W/LOW TRAFFIC. SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING BMW COLLIDED INTO REAR-END OF ILLEGALLY PARKED VEHICLE LACKING ANY WARNING LIGHTS OR FLARES. BMW RAMMED ADVERSE PARKED VEHICLE APPROX. 16' BEFORE PULL APART. AIR BAG...
Mileage: 10,000
AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE I WAS TOLD THAT THE FIRST TUNE UP WOULD BE DUE AT 10,000 MILES. THEREFORE I SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR SERVICE, HOVER WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN THE FIRST TIME AT 10,000 MILES I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO NEED FOR TUNE UP THAT THE COMPUTER WOULD DISPLAY A MESSAGE TELLING ME WHEN TO SER...
Mileage: 10,000
GOODYEAR EAGLE LS2 ROF TIRES. ONLY 4700 MILES ON MY 2013 BMW 535 ACTIVEHYBRID. BUBBLE ON RF TIRE, I AM THE ONLY DRIVER. NO POTHOLES EVER HIT OR CURBS RUBBED INTO. I AM IN THE AUTO INDUSTRY. CAREFUL EXAMINATION OF THE TIRE SHOWED NO SIGNS OF IMPACT ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE TIRE OR THE WHEEL. NO DAM...
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH THROUGH TWO INCHES OF WATER, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE HAD HYDRO-LOCKED AND WOULD NEED TO BE ...
Mileage: 3,900
ONCE AGAIN NEARLY A MONTH AFTER MY 2013 535I HAD ITS HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP REPLACED BY BMW. THE CAR DECIDES TO LOSE ALL POWER AND NOT WANT TO ACCELERATE AGAIN WHILE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING AND SPUTTERI...
Mileage: 3,000
ONCE AGAIN NEARLY A MONTH AFTER MY 2013 535I HAD ITS HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP REPLACED BY BMW. THE CAR DECIDES TO LOSE ALL POWER AND NOT WANT TO ACCELERATE AGAIN WHILE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING AND SPUTTERI...
Mileage: 3,000
ONCE AGAIN NEARLY A MONTH AFTER MY 2013 535I HAD ITS HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP REPLACED BY BMW. THE CAR DECIDES TO LOSE ALL POWER AND NOT WANT TO ACCELERATE AGAIN WHILE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING AND SPUTTERI...
Mileage: 3,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 TO 30 MPH DOWNHILL, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUF...
Mileage: 1,800
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREE WAY MY BRAND NEW 535I HAD A DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE LOSING POWER AND SLOWING DOWN ALL WHILE SHAKING. PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR WOULD NOT GAIN SPEED. WHEN I CALLED BMW THEY SAID TO STOP AT THE NEAREST BMW DEALERSHIP WHICH I DID. ...
Mileage: 3,200
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREE WAY MY BRAND NEW 535I HAD A DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE LOSING POWER AND SLOWING DOWN ALL WHILE SHAKING. PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR WOULD NOT GAIN SPEED. WHEN I CALLED BMW THEY SAID TO STOP AT THE NEAREST BMW DEALERSHIP WHICH I DID. ...
Mileage: 3,200
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREE WAY MY BRAND NEW 535I HAD A DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE LOSING POWER AND SLOWING DOWN ALL WHILE SHAKING. PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR THE CAR WOULD NOT GAIN SPEED. WHEN I CALLED BMW THEY SAID TO STOP AT THE NEAREST BMW DEALERSHIP WHICH I DID. ...
Mileage: 3,200