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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2016 BMW 535I Recalls & Complaints

The 2016 BMW 535I has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 12 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 2016 BMW 535I. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2016 BMW 535I owner complaints

Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 BMW 535I, describing incidents dated July 31, 2017 to August 26, 2024.

Most-cited components

  • Air Bags 7 complaints
  • Seat Belts 2 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 2 complaints
  • Engine 1 complaint
  • Forward Collision Avoidance 1 complaint
  • Tires 1 complaint

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11616563 · Filed

    Passenger restraint system malfunction, available for inspection. Passenger side air bag will not work if in an accident Problem has been confirmed by dealer Warning lamp appeared approximately 4-5 weeks ago, prior to that no symptoms. Just happened all of a sudden.

  • ODI #11609695 · Filed

    The contact owns a 2016 BMW 535I. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the message that the engine was overheating was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle was left overnight in a hotel parking lot. The vehicle was able to be restarted; however, the failure recurred. The…

  • ODI #11582126 · Filed

    PASSENGER RESTRAIN MALFUNCTION

Read all 12 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2016 BMW 535I in 2 investigations. 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

Seat Mounted Air Bags may not Deploy

NHTSA #16V914000 · Air Bags · NHTSA notice

Reported December 20, 2016 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 3,506 vehicles

Repair completion: 88.46% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified February 10, 2017 · Vehicles built September 16, 2016 – October 12, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2017 BMW 640i, 640i xDrive, 650i, 650i xDrive, M6, 535i, 535i xDrive, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, i3, i8, Rolls-Royce Dawn, Mini Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Cooper All4, Cooper S All4, Mini 4-Door Cooper, Cooper S, Mini 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works and 2016 BMW 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, M5 and 535d vehicles. The affected vehicles have seat- mounted side air bag inflator initiators that may fail to ignite during a crash.

Safety consequence

If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 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.

Bent Left Rear Seat Inboard Anchor/FMVSS 225

NHTSA #15V718000 · Child Seat · NHTSA notice

Reported October 30, 2015 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 7,162 vehicles

Repair completion: 82.64% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified December 28, 2015

Defect description

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535d xDrive, M5, 550i, 550i xDrive, and 535d sedans. The affected vehicles have an inboard lower anchor for child restraints on the left rear seat that may have been bent downwards, preventing the child seat from fully engaging both lower anchors. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."

Safety consequence

If the child seat is not properly attached to the lower anchors, it can increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair the inboard lower anchor on the left rear seat, free of charge. The recall began on December 28, 2015. 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 2016 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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