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Bmw 535i — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Bmw 535i model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
33
Years to Avoid
2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011
Best Years
2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996
2017
0 complaints1 recalls1 invest.123 TSBs
2016Avoid
15 complaints2 recalls2 invest.220 TSBs
2015Avoid
36 complaints0 recalls2 invest.268 TSBs
2014Avoid
44 complaints2 recalls2 invest.366 TSBs
2013Avoid
59 complaints1 recalls1 invest.399 TSBs
2012Avoid
86 complaints1 recalls1 invest.367 TSBs
2011Avoid
153 complaints4 recalls354 TSBs
2010
81 complaints1 recalls91 TSBs
2009
100 complaints1 recalls70 TSBs
2008
116 complaints1 recalls66 TSBs
2007Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2006Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2005Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2004Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2003Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2002Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2001Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2000Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1999Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1998Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1997Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1996Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1995
0 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs
1994
2 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs
1993
0 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs
1992
5 complaints3 recalls3 TSBs
1991
5 complaints3 recalls3 TSBs
1990
3 complaints2 recalls3 TSBs
1989
9 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs
1988
1 complaints0 recalls1 TSBs
1987
0 complaints0 recalls1 invest.1 TSBs
1986
1 complaints0 recalls1 invest.1 TSBs
1985
0 complaints0 recalls1 invest.1 TSBs

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Bmw 535i Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 Bmw 535i are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Bmw 535i, consider the 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

33 model years analyzed