2015 Bmw 535I

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2015 Bmw 535I has 37 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.5x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is electrical problems (19% of all complaints), specifically: my 2015 bmw 535i xdrive with less than 50k miles had the door lock actuator stop working. if you tried to open the door (once the car was in park, or turned off) and the lock button would come up and go back down but would not unlock. the only way to get the door to unlock was to push the unlock but.

2 crash reports

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ELECTRICAL

7 complaints

19%

• MY 2015 BMW 535I XDRIVE WITH LESS THAN 50K MILES HAD THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR STOP WORKING. IF YOU TRIED TO OPEN THE DOOR (ONCE THE CAR WAS IN PARK, OR TURNED OFF) AND THE LOCK BUTTON WOULD COME UP AND GO BACK DOWN BUT WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE DOOR TO UNLOCK WAS TO PUSH THE UNLOCK BUT
• The plastic covering over that is connected to the battery in the trunk started to slowly corrode and melt. It burned through the trunk cover and also burned into a bag and coat I had sitting in the trunk. I was on a long-distance road trip and I kept smelling something odd, but no warning lights ca
• Myself along with thousands of other owners are having moisture build up issues inside the headlight that eventually create puddles of water that short out the headlights which is $5000 for each headlight replacement.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“MY 2015 BMW 535I XDRIVE WITH LESS THAN 50K MILES HAD THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR STOP WORKING. IF YOU TRIED TO OPEN THE DOOR (ONCE THE CAR WAS IN PARK, OR TURNED OFF) AND THE LOCK BUTTON WOULD COME UP AND GO BACK DOWN BUT WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE DOOR TO UNLOCK WAS TO PUSH THE UNLOCK BUT”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

6 complaints

16%

• Recently purchase this vehicle from BMW of Greenwich. Drive it less than 200 miles - the odometer at the time of purchase had 55,000 miles, the engine looked perfect upon visual inspection. The fax report had a failed emissions inspection in the record and a second inspection days latter as apassed.
• The contact owns a 2015 BMW 535I. The contact stated that occasionally while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and shut off. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mech
• The contact owns a 2015 BMW 535I. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the message that the engine was overheating was displayed, with a message to “Drive Moderately” displayed as well. The driver started to slow down and the message to turn off the engine was displayed. The contact turned off a

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“Recently purchase this vehicle from BMW of Greenwich. Drive it less than 200 miles - the odometer at the time of purchase had 55,000 miles, the engine looked perfect upon visual inspection. The fax report had a failed emissions inspection in the record and a second inspection days latter as apassed.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

AIR BAGS

4 complaints

11%

• DECEMBER 29TH 2020, MY WIFE WAS TURNING LEFT WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A SHOPPING MALL WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD EVEN THOUGH SHE HAD HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE. SHE PLOWED INTO THE CAR PARKED IN THE SPACE ON THE RIGHT AND PUSHED THAT CAR INTO THE CAR TO ITS RIGHT. THE AIR BAGS ON T
• The contact owns a 2015 BMW 535I. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message “Passenger Restraint Air Bag Malfunction" was displayed. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired
• The contact owns a 2015 BMW 535I. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message “Passenger Restraint Air Bag Malfunction" was displayed. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“DECEMBER 29TH 2020, MY WIFE WAS TURNING LEFT WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A SHOPPING MALL WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD EVEN THOUGH SHE HAD HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE. SHE PLOWED INTO THE CAR PARKED IN THE SPACE ON THE RIGHT AND PUSHED THAT CAR INTO THE CAR TO ITS RIGHT. THE AIR BAGS ON T”

— NHTSA complaint filing

SUSPENSION

3 complaints

• RIGHT REAR DIFFERENTIAL BUSHING STRESS CRACKING. DEALER REP STATED THAT THIS IS COMMON ON BMW 5, 6 AND 7 SERIES CARS DUE TO WEIGHT OF CARS. FAILURE COULD MAKE CAR UNSTABLE AND AFFECT HANDLING AND CONTROL. NOTED BY DEALER DURING SERVICING.
• RECENTLY, I NOTICED MY LEFT-REAR SUSPENSION HAS BEEN FAULTY AND THIS ISSUE SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING TO A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE. THE TIRE WOULD GO ALL THE WAY INTO THE BODY OF THE CAR AND WHICH MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE SINCE IT'S RUBBING AGAINST THE CAR. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED,
• BMW HAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH MY MAKE AND MODEL WITH THE STEERING KNUCKLE (SWIVEL BEARING) AND WHEEL BEARINGS MAKING CONTACT. THIS HAS HAPPENED NOW TO BOTH MY DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AND IT IS VERY SCARY. ONCE THEY MAKE CONTACT, THEY STAY IN CONTACT UNTIL FIXED BY THE DEALER. IT SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTS

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“RIGHT REAR DIFFERENTIAL BUSHING STRESS CRACKING. DEALER REP STATED THAT THIS IS COMMON ON BMW 5, 6 AND 7 SERIES CARS DUE TO WEIGHT OF CARS. FAILURE COULD MAKE CAR UNSTABLE AND AFFECT HANDLING AND CONTROL. NOTED BY DEALER DURING SERVICING.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

STEERING

3 complaints

• BMW HAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH MY MAKE AND MODEL WITH THE STEERING KNUCKLE (SWIVEL BEARING) AND WHEEL BEARINGS MAKING CONTACT. THIS HAS HAPPENED NOW TO BOTH MY DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AND IT IS VERY SCARY. ONCE THEY MAKE CONTACT, THEY STAY IN CONTACT UNTIL FIXED BY THE DEALER. IT SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTS
• Here is the video about how the part fails. I uploaded this video to youtube. You can pass this video to BMW, that is your prerogative, [XXX] My cars has the angle sensor error, and calling for irregular communication with other modules. I am sure he reasons for this are in the video. Lastly I w
• The contact owns a 2015 BMW 535I. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, a steering wheel image was displayed on the instrument panel. The computer then informed the contact to carefully drive the vehicle to a dealer for service. The contact stated that excessive force was needed to stee

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“BMW HAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH MY MAKE AND MODEL WITH THE STEERING KNUCKLE (SWIVEL BEARING) AND WHEEL BEARINGS MAKING CONTACT. THIS HAS HAPPENED NOW TO BOTH MY DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AND IT IS VERY SCARY. ONCE THEY MAKE CONTACT, THEY STAY IN CONTACT UNTIL FIXED BY THE DEALER. IT SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTS”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 37 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: MY 2015 BMW 535I XDRIVE WITH LESS THAN 50K MILES HAD THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR STOP WORKING. IF YOU TRIED TO OPEN THE DOOR (ONCE THE CAR WAS IN PARK, OR TURNED OFF) AND THE LOCK BUTTON WOULD COME UP AND GO BACK DOWN BUT WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE DOOR TO UNLOCK WAS TO PUSH THE UNLOCK BUT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: Recently purchase this vehicle from BMW of Greenwich. Drive it less than 200 miles - the odometer at the time of purchase had 55,000 miles, the engine looked perfect upon visual inspection. The fax report had a failed emissions inspection in the record and a second inspection days latter as apassed.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: DECEMBER 29TH 2020, MY WIFE WAS TURNING LEFT WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A SHOPPING MALL WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD EVEN THOUGH SHE HAD HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE. SHE PLOWED INTO THE CAR PARKED IN THE SPACE ON THE RIGHT AND PUSHED THAT CAR INTO THE CAR TO ITS RIGHT. THE AIR BAGS ON T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SUSPENSION: RIGHT REAR DIFFERENTIAL BUSHING STRESS CRACKING. DEALER REP STATED THAT THIS IS COMMON ON BMW 5, 6 AND 7 SERIES CARS DUE TO WEIGHT OF CARS. FAILURE COULD MAKE CAR UNSTABLE AND AFFECT HANDLING AND CONTROL. NOTED BY DEALER DURING SERVICING.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)