2013 BMW 535I: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 38 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (22% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 38 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2025
“After the replacement of all 02 sensors and fuses, the fault code returns and was traced back to the integrated supply module/IVm”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2025
“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 front of the car creating a safety issue. The cost to replace/repair these assemblies is excessive and is a widespread problem across multiple BMW models/years.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Mar 2023
Show 7 more owner reports
“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 side CV joint was replaced out of pocket. Recently, the vehicle was taken back to the same dealer for routine maintenance and the contact was informed that the driver's side CV joint was faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Oct 2022
“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 headlight malfunction " ..."turn signal malfunction " ..."daytime running light malfunction " ect... this is a safety issue because it stops my signal from working and my headlight works when it wants to. Normally I would think maybe I rock chipped the housing but since I see it on majority of 535's I see I figure it must have been an issue from factory.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Jan 2022
“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 housing and the driver's side replacement headlamp housing. The failure had caused the turn signals to malfunction. The contact stated that an unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Dec 2021
“Moonroof glass exploded while on highway at 60mph No other cars in around at time Moonroof blew outwards Nothing hit roof at all”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2021
“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 am no longer able to honk my horn”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2021
“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 heard it at my repair shop as well. I recommend a safety recall based on this very significant and very expensive safety hazard. The failure start with condensation in the headlamps and then results in an electric control model failure for the headlight assembly and subsequent failure of the light to work.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Feb 2021
“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 left turns. Upon searching the internet have found that this is a common problem with other owners of this series of bmw car has been garaged since purchase as certified preowned vehicle 45 months ago”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2020
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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 enough light. As such, the vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear reflex reflectors, free of charge. The recall began July 28, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2013 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact 535I by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2013 BMW 535I reliable?
NHTSA has 38 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2013 BMW 535I. The most complained-about area is electrical system (22% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2013 BMW 535I problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 47,750 miles or less.
Does the 2013 BMW 535I have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.