2012 BMW 535I recalls & problems

1 recall 54 complaints 1 investigation

1recalls
54owner complaints
0crashes reported
2fires reported
0 / 0injuries / deaths

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 2012 BMW 535I and 54 owner complaints. The part owners complain about most is fuel/propulsion system (12 reports), followed by engine (11). NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation that include this vehicle. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers – enter your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your car still has an open recall.

2012 BMW 535I recalls

Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA 16V746000 · Oct 17, 2016

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 BMW X5 3.0si, X5 4.8i, X5 M, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i and X5 xDrive50i, 2008-2011 X6 x Drive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 535i xDrive Gran Turismo, 535i Gran Turismo, 550i xDrive Gran Turismo and 550i Gran Turismo, 2011-2012 528i, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i and 550i xDrive and 2012 535i ActiveHybrid, 640i…

Risk: The loose wires may cause the connector to melt, resulting in a fuel leak. Additionally, the fuel pump may stop working, possibly causing an engine stall and increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

136,188 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

2012 BMW 535I problems by component

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuries
Fuel/Propulsion System 12
000
Engine 11
000
Power Train 10
000
Electrical System 9
010
Air Bags 8
000
Exterior Lighting 4
000
Steering 4
000
Wheels 3
010
Tires 3
010
Seats 3
000
Seat Belts 3
000
Fuel System, Gasoline 3
000
Engine and Engine Cooling 3
000
Service Brakes 2
000
Suspension 2
000
Unknown or Other 2
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 1
000
Vehicle Speed Control 1
000
Visibility/Wiper 1
000
Electronic Stability Control (esc) 1
000

NHTSA investigations

Latest owner complaints

Power Train · Oct 28, 2025 · GA

BMW N63 Engine Powertrain Issues 2012 535i The N63 engine, utilized in various BMW models including the 2012 535i, has been subject to multiple customer complaints regarding premature timing chain wear and other powertrain-related issues. This led BMW to introduce a "Customer Care Package," detailed in Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) B110614, to address the concerns reported…

Fuel/Propulsion System · Oct 28, 2025 · GA

BMW N63 Engine Powertrain Issues 2012 535i The N63 engine, utilized in various BMW models including the 2012 535i, has been subject to multiple customer complaints regarding premature timing chain wear and other powertrain-related issues. This led BMW to introduce a "Customer Care Package," detailed in Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) B110614, to address the concerns reported…

Engine · Oct 28, 2025 · GA

BMW N63 Engine Powertrain Issues 2012 535i The N63 engine, utilized in various BMW models including the 2012 535i, has been subject to multiple customer complaints regarding premature timing chain wear and other powertrain-related issues. This led BMW to introduce a "Customer Care Package," detailed in Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) B110614, to address the concerns reported…

Electrical System · Mar 22, 2025 · NJ · fire

The car was parked overnight. In the morning around dusk , it spontaneously caught fire.

Air Bags · Jan 21, 2025 · WA

UNKNOWN passenger restraint system malfunction message started coming.

Engine and Engine Cooling · Oct 23, 2024 · 127,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2012 BMW 535I. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the engine temperature and "Pull Over - Stop Vehicle" warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over and let the vehicle cool down and drove to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the water pump needed to be replaced. The mechanic…

Electrical System · Oct 23, 2024 · 127,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2012 BMW 535I. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the engine temperature and "Pull Over - Stop Vehicle" warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over and let the vehicle cool down and drove to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the water pump needed to be replaced. The mechanic…

Engine and Engine Cooling · Aug 21, 2024 · 119,000 miles · SC

The contact owns a 2012 BMW 535I. The contact stated while driving approximately 50–55 MPH, the engine overheated and the vehicle shutoff. The engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was restarted. The contact continued to drive to her residence. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V746000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle…

Fuel System, Gasoline · Aug 21, 2024 · 119,000 miles · SC

The contact owns a 2012 BMW 535I. The contact stated while driving approximately 50–55 MPH, the engine overheated and the vehicle shutoff. The engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was restarted. The contact continued to drive to her residence. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V746000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle…

Engine · Jan 30, 2024 · AL

Confirmed by a Certified BMW repair center. Failure of Vanos Camshaft Gear Bolts. Recall has been issued for all 5 series models (and beyond) up to 2011, but does not include 2012 (5 series,) as it should. The Recall needs to be extended to include 2012 - 5 series models as failure of these bolts will cause immediate engine failure and could result in catastrophic crash,…

Exterior Lighting · Feb 13, 2023 · VA

The headlights on the BMW 535 collect excessive amounts of condensation. If the condensation builds up, then the light does not function properly. The main safety concern is the malfunction of the turn signal. It will function in the rear of the vehicle but does not light up on the front in the affected headlight housing. Review of this problem on-line shows that this has…

Exterior Lighting · Jul 9, 2022 · NJ

The front lights - water gets in impact visibility. The only repair is to replace the entire unit which is $2k per light. There is not other options. The adaptive warning sign does not go away due to this water.

Other BMW 535I years

1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 BMW 535I have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall covering the 2012 BMW 535I, the most recent one (16V746000) for fuel system, gasoline. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 BMW 535I?

Based on 54 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most reported areas are fuel/propulsion system (12), engine (11), power train (10).

Have there been crashes or injuries linked to the 2012 BMW 535I?

Owners reported 0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries and 0 deaths in complaints to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports, not findings of fault.

Is NHTSA investigating the 2012 BMW 535I?

NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation that include this vehicle, most recently DP22005: Pedestrian alert sounds.