1991 BMW 535I

3 recalls, 5 complaints - 4 TSBs

98V178000 Aug 4, 1998
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
Defect Description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT, SUCH AS A THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, OR FAN BELT, CAN RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND SYSTEM PRESSURE. IF THE INDICATIONS OF A CRITICAL OVERHEATING CONDITION IS NOT NOTICED BY T... Read more
Consequence
IF A CRACK WERE TO FORM OR A SEAM WERE TO SEPARATE IN THE HEATER CORE END PIECE, HOT COOLANT COULD SUDDENLY BE EXPELLED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.
340,000 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
96V110000 Jul 1, 1996
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Defect Description
THE AIR BAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB LOCATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAN BREAK WITHOUT WARNING.
Consequence
IF THIS HAPPENS, THE CONTACT RING WIRING COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK. THE AIR BAG READINESS INDICATOR LAMP (SRS OR AIRBAG) IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WILL ILLUMINATE, AND THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL IMPACT VEHICLE COLLISION.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOCKING TAB WITH ONE OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN.
75,000 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
96V111000 Jul 1, 1996
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Defect Description
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAN FAIL ALLOWING THE SWITCH TO REMAIN IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS ON" POSITION.
Consequence
IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS EITHER WILL NOT OPERATE OR WILL BE CONTINUOUSLY ON, REGARDLESS OF BRAKE PEDAL POSITION. FOLLOWING DRIVERS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS STOPPING, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED SWITCH.
180,000 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

Complaint Statistics

5 total complaints

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
AIR BAGS1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM Mar 22, 2001
Incident date: Mar 22, 2001
CONSUMER HAD REPLACED MOST OF ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM PARTS. EACH TIME THAT TAKES VEHICLE TO DEALER THEY WILL REPLACE A PART, AND PRESENTLY, VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE FIXED AGAIN.*AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH Jul 24, 2000
Incident date: Apr 7, 2000
FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH CAUSED THE STARTER TO BURN UP, RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE LOOSING ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. NLM
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE Apr 26, 2000
Incident date: Apr 24, 2000
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CONSUMER HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER A FEW TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. BUT PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. *AK
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Jan 15, 2000
Incident date: Oct 9, 1999
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
AIR BAGS Aug 17, 1999
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON BECAUSE OF A WIRE BURNING OUT. DEALER SAYS IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SHORTLY AFTER WIRE WAS REPLACED, THE WARNING LIGHT CAME BACK ON. DEALER SAID IT WAS THE CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB. *AK

EPA Fuel Economy, 1991 BMW 535I

Trim / Engine City MPG Highway MPG Combined MPG Fuel Type Annual Fuel Cost
3.4L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Rear-Wheel Drive) 15.0 20.0 16.0 Regular $3,850
3.4L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Rear-Wheel Drive) 14.0 21.0 16.0 Regular $3,850

CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Compact Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1991 BMW 535I

4 manufacturer communications from 3 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

ComponentBulletins
140000 AIR BAGS1
980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
133000 VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS1
B510819 Jan 16, 2024
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
B510819 Jan 16, 2024
133000 VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
MSG1117 Oct 7, 1996
980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ANNOUNCEMENT THAT OWNERS OF VEHICLES INVOLVED IN RECALLS 96V110 AND 96V111 WILL BE COMBINED INTO ONE MAILING. *TW
MSG0415 Oct 1, 1996
140000 AIR BAGS
RECALL 96V110 - BMW OF NORTH AMERICA HAS INITIATED A RECALL CAMPAIGN WHICH INVOLVES THE AIRBAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB. *TW

BMW 535I - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the BMW 535I across all model years (1989, 2017).

26 Total Recalls
723 Total Complaints
0 Investigations
39 Reported Crashes
30 Reported Fires
0 Reported Deaths

BMW 535I - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
2017 1 0 View
2016 2 15 View
2015 0 37 View
2014 2 46 View
2013 1 59 View
2012 1 86 View
2011 4 156 View
2010 1 81 View
2009 1 100 View
2008 1 116 View
1995 1 0 View
1994 1 2 View
1993 1 0 View
1992 3 5 View
1991 (current) 3 5
1990 2 3 View
1989 1 9 View
1988 0 1 View
1986 0 1 View

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