BMW 535i Recalls

The BMW 535i has 9 recalls spanning 1991 through 2017, with the most serious recent issue being a Takata-related driver's airbag inflator on 2014 model year vehicles that can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, raising the risk of serious injury or death.

The 2016 and 2017 model years have a separate airbag concern: the seat-mounted side airbag inflator initiator can fail to ignite, meaning the bag does not deploy in a crash. Also on 2016 models, the lower anchor bracket for child restraints on the left rear seat can be bent downward, preventing a child seat from locking onto both anchors properly.

On 2011 and 2012 models, the fuel pump wiring connector can loosen, melt, and cause a fuel leak, and the pump itself can stop working and stall the engine. The 2011 model year also has two airbag-related issues: a replacement sensor cluster unit installed during prior service visits can fail to properly trigger the driver and passenger airbags, seatbelt pretensioners, and active head restraints in a crash, and a constant velocity joint in the drivetrain can fracture and cut propulsion without warning. The 2013 model year has rear reflectors that do not reflect enough light to meet federal standards, reducing the vehicle's visibility to following traffic at night.

Going further back, 2008 through 2010 models have tail lights that can operate intermittently, reducing the ability of other drivers to read braking and turn signals. The 1991 model year has a locking tab in the steering wheel airbag contact ring that can break, eventually severing the wiring and disabling the airbag.