BMW

535i

Midsize Cars · model years 2010 to 2017

Includes 535i, 535i Gran Turismo, 535i Sport Wagon xDrive and 2 more as listed by the EPA.

See all 37 535i trims All BMW cars

The verdict

Best year: 2010. complaints: 0, below this model's typical 21; recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1.

Worst year: 2011. complaints: 264, about 17.6x this model's typical 15; recalls: 4, about 4x this model's typical 1.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the BMW 535i
Year	Trims	MPG	HP	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Investigations	Top complaints
2010	7Gas	20	300	$3,850	0	0	0	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 21 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
2011	5Gas	23	300	$3,350	4	264	0	TIRES 18%, ENGINE 15%, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 12%
complaints: 264, about 17.6x this model's typical 15 recalls: 4, about 4x this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 11 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
2012	5Gas	23	300	$3,350	1	64	1	ENGINE 14%, POWER TRAIN 13%, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 12%
complaints: 64, about 4.3x this model's typical 15 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 Score: 30 of 100, where higher is better.
2013	5Gas	24	300	$3,200	1	38	1	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 22%, ENGINE 15%, EXTERIOR LIGHTING 14%
complaints: 38, about 2.5x this model's typical 15 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 Score: 29 of 100, where higher is better.
2014	5Gas	23	300	$3,350	2	30	2 (1 open)	ENGINE 22%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18%, STRUCTURE 9%
complaints: 30, about 2x this model's typical 15 recalls: 2, about 2x this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 10 of 100, where higher is better.
2015	4Gas	22.5	300	$3,425	0	0	2 (1 open)	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 12 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 87 of 100, where higher is better.
2016	4Gas	22.5	300	$3,425	0	0	2 (1 open)	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 12 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 87 of 100, where higher is better.
2017	2Gas	21.5	300	$3,575	1	0	1 (1 open)	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 6 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 77 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median2010: 20 to 2017: 21.5

Owner complaints2010: 0 to 2017: 0

How we score each year

We compare each year of the BMW 535i to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.