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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2013 BMW 535I Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2013 BMW 535I has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 39 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2013 BMW 535I, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2013 BMW 535I owner complaints

Owners have filed 39 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 BMW 535I, describing incidents dated January 7, 2013 to October 6, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Electrical System 13 complaints
  • Engine 11 complaints
  • Exterior Lighting 8 complaints
  • Air Bags 5 complaints
  • Fuel/Propulsion System 3 complaints
  • Suspension 3 complaints

Of the 39 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash and 2 a fire; across all 39 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11770616 · Filed

    UKNOWN EXACT PROBLEM. 2013 BMW 535i with the same N55 motor with the [XXX] recall. Similar symptoms: Drivetrain malfunction and "camshaft stuck" code with loud metallic clanking in upper front of engine bay. Incident happened at rough 5-10mph pulling out of a parking lot just at 160,000 miles. Oil…

  • ODI #11700387 · Filed

    My 2013 BMW 535i (VIN [XXX] ) caught fire spontaneously while parked, turned off, and unoccupied on 11/18/2025 in Westbury, NY. A passerby saw smoke and called 911. Nassau County Police and the Westbury Fire Department responded. Firefighters informed me at the scene that the fire was mechanical in…

  • ODI #11675261 · Filed

    Heard a clicking noise behind the steering wheel for a few days then I’ll the sudden the horn stopped working and all the controls on the steering wheel stopped working. I’m a mechanic so I took apart the clock spring stealing wheel compartment to find all of the wire broken and very very brittle…

Read all 39 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2013 BMW 535I in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Rear Reflex Reflectors/FMVSS 108

NHTSA #15V188000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported March 31, 2015 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 13,443 vehicles

Repair completion: 70.79% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified July 27, 2017 · Vehicles built January 30, 2013 – June 28, 2013 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

The vehicle may be less visible to other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Other BMW 535I model years

Check your 2013 BMW 535I VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW 535I at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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