The 2010 BMW 535i has 1 safety recall and 58 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is fuel/propulsion system (19 complaints).
Problem: BMW is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 528i, 535i, 550i, and M5 passenger cars manufactured from March 1, 2007, through December 31, 2009. Over time, increased resistance at the taillight electrical contact points may cause damage to the ground terminal and housing of the connector resulting in an intermittent or permanent loss of functionality of one or more rear lamp functions (tail, brake, turn-signal, reverse).
Risk: Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear lamp bulb carriers free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Fuel economy
535i
20mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel
535i
20mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel
535i xDrive
20mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 25 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel
535i xDrive
19mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 25 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · All-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel
535i Sport Wagon xDrive
19mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel
535i Sport Wagon xDrive
18mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · All-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Fuel/propulsion system
19
1
0
0
88,924 mi
Fuel system, gasoline Delivery › Fuel pump
14
0
0
0
7,500 mi
Engine
11
0
0
0
80,000 mi
Electrical system 12v/24v/48v battery
7
3
1
2
35,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling Engine
5
0
0
0
2,299 mi
Air bags Alleged counterfeit air bag
5
0
0
0
67,000 mi
Seat belts
3
0
0
0
—
Exterior lighting
2
0
2
0
—
Power train
2
0
0
0
—
Steering
1
0
0
0
—
Vehicle speed control
1
0
0
0
—
Tires
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Feb 26, 2025Fuel/propulsion system Consistent fuel pump error code 2AAF
May 17, 2022 · 71,835 miles · crashFuel/propulsion system I was told by BMW that the high pressure fuel pump for these vehicles are under warranty for 100,000 miles or 10 years. I just purchased the vehicle to not only drive from new jersey to New York and shut down. Since then it caused an accident and the used dealer is just ignoring everything. I was also told thereâs an electric water pump class action suit and also something with the trunk leaking. Now I do know that a vehicle is not supposed to be sold without recalls being stated and fixed. Iâm already paid 10k for the car and then 1k for a starter . The vehicle is in the body shop having body repair due to the engine shutting down. If the engine shuts down it displays fuel pump…
Mar 29, 2021 · 120,000 milesFuel system, gasoline TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20-25 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER. THE CONTACT COASTED AND MANUALLY STEERED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO RALLYE BMW (1 BRUSH HOLLOW RD, WESTBURY, NY 11590, (516) 226-7947) WHO HAD REPLACED AN UNKNOWN PART HOWEVER, APPROXIMATELY A WEEK LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE SAME WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE SAME DEALER AND THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Jul 17, 2020 · 128,000 milesFuel/propulsion system SEVERAL TIMES I WAS PLACED IN PERIL WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH RATES OF SPEED THEN THE CAR STALLS ON US HIGHWAY 95. THERE WERE ALSO TIMES WHEN THE CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 35MPH. WHEN THIS HAPPENS I HAVE NO REAL CONTROL TO STEER THE WHEEL, NO PRIOR WARNING OR ISSUES WITH THE CAR TO INDICATE IT WOULD STALL. IT IS EXTREMELY TRAUMATIZING. TRAUMATIZING! MESSAGE OF "FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTION. MODERATE DRIVING POSSIBLE". CAR STALLS WHILE IN MOTION WHETHER IT IS 20MPH OR 65MPH. INITIAL MALFUNCTION IN JULY WAS AFTER 1HR OF DRIVING THEN SEVERAL TIMES AFTER THAT PERIODICALLY AS THE CAR ISN'T DRIVEN OFTEN DUE TO STAY AT HOME RESTRICTIONS. THE ISSUE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AT TWO AUTO MECHANIC…
Nov 20, 2020 · 150,000 milesFuel/propulsion system RECEIVING P0087 LOW PRESSURE FUEL, CAR GOES INTO DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION. FIX IS REPLACING HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP.
Jul 1, 2020Fuel/propulsion system WHEN STARING UP, EXTENDED CRANK/SLOW STARTUP . CONTACTED BMW 'FUEL PUMP ISSUE'. NOT COVERED ON CURRENT RECALLS BECAUSE OF YEAR OF CAR. ALL OTHER 5 SERIES HAVE AN OPEN RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM
Apr 19, 2015 · 70,000 milesEngine and engine cooling TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE BATTERY DISCHARGING MESSAGE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVE BELTS, BATTERY, INTELLIGENT BATTERY SENSOR (IBS) SYSTEM, BOLTS, HOSE AND ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V176000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE BUT PROVIDED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE.…
Jun 25, 2020 · 145,000 milesEngine I HAD THE CAR SERVICED BY A MECHANIC BECAUSE I HAD CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FAULTS. WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT WAS REPLACED. SPARK PLUGS AND COPS WERE REPLACED. SOME OF THE FUEL INJECTORS WERE ALSO REPLACED. MECHANIC ASKED ME TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR 100 MILES TO SEE IF ANY CHECK ENGINE ISSUES WILL REAPPEAR. THE VEHICLE FIRST BEGAN STATING IT HAD LOW OIL PRESSURE AND WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO CHECK THE OIL LEVEL, IT WOULD CONTINUE TO JUST STOP AT 15%. I THEN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE INDICATOR WENT AWAY FOR THE LOW OIL PRESSURE. I DROVE ABOUT 10 MORE MILES AND DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION APPEARED AND I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANIC. ENGINE WAS SEIZED. WHAT WAS FOUND IN THE…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.