general problems of the 2011 BMW 535

18 problems related to power train have been reported for the 2011 BMW 535. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2011 BMW 535 based on all problems reported for the 2011 535.

1 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 03/19/2026

Valvetronic motor and eccentric shaft is a very common issue that my specific car has. Affects the timing and makes a loud sound. Dangerous to drive in this condition.

2 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 06/16/2024

The vehicle is having cooling/ heat problems. Does not overheat while driving but rather driving on high temp. Cools to norm temp here and there. My best thought is electrical. Also same vehicle rattles in rear center when going 65mph. . Not sure the cause is.

3 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 11/27/2020

A warning came on for drivetrain malfunction and the engine started to choke and lose power while driving.

4 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 08/01/2020

The back and front axles aren't reliable at all. All four on my car are damaged and every time I go over a bump it's a violent sound and feeling.

5 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 03/19/2020

I was driving on the highway and vehicle sent an overheating message and instantly the power to the motor was cut off causing the vehicle to rapidly slow down with no brake signal so the rear car almost rear ended the vehicle due to the signal cutting power to the engine during the overheat message, once I was able to pull over and stop it was fine? I checked the coolant after I got home and it was at the level required, after I was able to the read the codes it showed waterpump ? I recently saw recalls for 2011 BMW 5 series on water pump issues, I would like to ad this problem and or safey issue to be noticed, if all those vehicles are being reported to have waterpump issues ,l believe my car should be on that list of recalls as well , they all have the same water pump ,so that would effect all models 6 clyinder ,8 cylinder etc,, tthe after a month of no codes no issues, I pulled into my driveway to get something from the house, I left the car running, when I cam out it had sent an over heat signal again, when the car wasnt overheating? it was just weird, it might be wise to include all vehicles with the 2010-2011 style water pump to be replaced and look into the power cut off due to the failure of the pumps/and or their electrical systems which are being recalled , please let know if my car can be added to the recall so it could be replaced because it has the same issues as the other models that recalled, havent driven on the highway since, scared I might get rear ended, if the power cuts off to slow the vehicle brake lights should go on or some indicator to let vehicles following behind know the vehicle is slowing down, live and learn I geuss,.

6 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 12/01/2019

Drivetrain malfunction is on may be due to a bad fuel pump or engine coils.

7 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 12/26/2018

Drivetrain malfunction -driving on hwy when error was displayed and car shutdown in on me and would not start back up -dealership stated they replaced the fuel pump -issue happened again -while driving - under 3000 miles later - same error codes of low pressure - car hesitant to crank and studdering on low speeds- towed to dealer was told no issue found and they reprogrammed the fuel pump -same issue again - fuel line and sensor replaced -ran fine for another 1000 miles or so -while driving the car jerked really hard and gave the same drivetran malfunction error --was able to make it to the dealership however car would not drive at full speed- same codes seen stored -- BMW do not know whats causing the issue however replacing parts hoping it will fix the issue and charging me for their trial and error. -since 2 more parts replaced car now with new error and of course BMW has no clue but want to charge me another 1000 to replace another part.

8 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 09/29/2018

After bringing my car to BMW of buena park to take care of a couple of recalls, a couple of miles after I get on the freeway at about 60 mph the car lost power and I heard the emergency sound on my dashboard, the emergency light came on and a message on my screen saying � drive moderately, maximum drive train output not available� the car did not stop but lost lots of power.

9 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 08/06/2018

I was driving my family and my enging cut off on and the car would not start nor go into any gear took it to my mechanic and was told that my car might be on a recall list because it jas reach over 70000mi now I don't know what to to.

10 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 06/20/2018

This recall has my powertrans not preforming as it should. I brought the car in 2017 and this recall was never done. I turn my car in to the dealership and since then I have been taking my car frequently to mechanics for powertrans problems. When I take it to the dealership they tell me they don't see a fault for the powertrans it as soon as I leave the fault returns. I paid money for numerous diagnostics for this problem and I still have the same issue. This problem occurs after reaching speeds over 65 mph.

11 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 05/10/2018

Took my 2011 BMW 535i xdrive with 68k miles in to get state inspection at the BMW dealership. I was told it failed inspection because cv boot was torn and that thrust rod bushing, axle and cv boot need to be replaced. There is a safety recall that only affect 8700 cars for same or similar problem. I think the safety recall needs to be expanded. The cv boots and cv joints are a known problem by the dealers and a very expensive repair. BMW is happy with the service revenue . . . As long as it falls outside the warranty. Talking a very expensive repair for something BMW knows about . . . Oh and yeah "if the cv joint breaks the vehicle may have a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash" (safety bulletin 17v067000.

12 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 09/04/2017

While driving drive train light comes on, made appointment and was informed that the left cv joint boot was torn and leaking. Had it fixed on October 2016, paid over $1700. In September 2017 drive train light comes on again, was informed that the left and the right cv joint boots were torn/leaking had it repaired and this time it cost $4094. Noticed that there was a recall for the rear cv joint and want to know if the front should be included in the recall.

13 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 12/15/2016

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 535i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v067000 (power train) and NHTSA campaign number: 16v746000 (fuel system, gasoline). The part to do the repair was unavailable. The manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and stated that there were no parts available until the end of June. The dealer also stated that the parts were not available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

14 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 10/31/2016

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 535i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v067000 (powertrain); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact refused to contact the manufacturer and stated that it was not her responsibility. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

15 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 09/14/2015

Drive train malfunction light comes on from time to time. Message: "dirvetrain malfunction; maximum output not available. " loss of power. Told by dealer service department (otto's BMW) to stop car and turn it on again. It runs just fine after this is done. But intermittent loss of power while driving on the highway is very very dangerous. I called the state trooper the first time this happened (in 2012 when the car was practically new, having less than 20,000 miles) to provide cover.

16 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 08/15/2014

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 535i. The contact received a notification for recall NHTSA campaign number: 14v176000 (power train) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

17 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 01/31/2014

Drive train malfunction, engine over heats and does not function the same. The vehicle slows down, sputters and does not have power. It has died out on the highway while going 65mph and had to pull over suddenly through 3 lanes of traffic.

18 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 01/31/2014

It has acceleration issues all of the time. Does not accelerate as it should, instead it jerks. When at a stop sign or light and looking to accelerate it would jerk making it unsafe. I have almost hit multiple vehicle ecause of this.


Other Power Train related problems of the 2011 BMW 535


535 Service Bulletins
535 Safety Recalls
535 Defect Investigations