VIN REPORT

WBA5B1C53GG1291662016 BMW 535i

33of 100
Moderate Risk
Buyer Risk Score
Recalls
Clear
No open recalls
Safety Grade
C
75/100 composite
Complaints
81
NHTSA filed
Vehicle Age
10 yrs
Made in GERMANY
BUYPurchase Verdict

2016 BMW 535i was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. 81 owner complaints include 2 reported injuries, indicating real-world safety incidents beyond normal wear.

23 MPG
Verdict & Risk Assessment
📄

Executive Summary

2016 BMW 535i

2016 BMW 535i was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. 81 owner complaints include 2 reported injuries, indicating real-world safety incidents beyond normal wear.

  • 2 injuries reported across 81 owner complaints
  • Complaint rate is accelerating — issues appear to be getting worse, not better
33
of 100
Moderate Risk
3 moderate risk signals detected. Negotiate accordingly and verify service history.
LOWMODERATEHIGHCRITICAL
3 Contributing Risk Factors
Critical deferred maintenance — safety-critical components overdue
+20
Elevated fire risk signals detected
+7
Accelerating complaint trend — problems increasing over time
+6
Critical Alerts

Title Brand Check

Mined from auction damage fields and listing titles — not a DMV title history pull

No auction records available. Title brand status could not be verified — request title history from seller or state DMV.

Vehicle

Vehicle Specifications

Decoded from NHTSA vPIC database

Make
BMW
Model
535i
Year
2016
Trim / Series
5-series
Body Style
Sedan/Saloon
Vehicle Type
PASSENGER CAR
Fuel Type
Gasoline
Engine
6-cyl 3L 300 hp
Doors
4
Manufacturer
BMW AG
Assembly
DINGOLFING, GERMANY
GVWR
Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)

Assembly Plant Quality

Plant: DINGOLFING, GERMANY

CQuality55/100
Standard📍 DINGOLFING, GERMANY

No specific quality data available for this plant. No documented recall or complaint concentrations on record.

Safety

Safety Intelligence

Composite analysis from NHTSA recall, complaint, and crash data

C
Score: 75/100
Crash Test Rating20/40
Recall Safety30/30
Complaint History25/30
0/100Clear

✓ No high-risk recall components found

2/100
Basic
1 of 20 safety features detected
Missing: Automatic Emergency Braking, Pedestrian AEB, Forward Collision Warning, Electronic Stability Control
Elevated
  • 5 complaint(s) involved a fire

Driver Assistance Features

ADAS equipment data from NHTSA vPIC database

Forward Collision Warning?Unknown
Automatic Emergency Braking?Unknown
Pedestrian AEB?Unknown
Rear AEB?Unknown
Lane Departure Warning?Unknown
Lane Keep Assist?Unknown
Lane Centering Assist?Unknown
Blind Spot Monitoring?Unknown
Rear Cross Traffic Alert?Unknown
Adaptive Cruise Control?Unknown
Adaptive Headlights?Unknown
Auto High Beam?Unknown
Parking Assist?Unknown
Backup Camera?Unknown
Electronic Stability Control?Unknown
Tire Pressure Monitoring?Direct
Event Data Recorder?Unknown
Crash Notification?Unknown
Dynamic Brake Support?Unknown
Keyless Ignition?Unknown
Recalls

Deferred Failure Risk

Components and defects approaching or past their known service milestones

82/100
Critical Deferred Risk
Critical deferred failure risk — 4 safety-critical or high-cost components are past their service interval. Without immediate attention, repair costs will compound significantly.
No odometer data on record. Mileage is estimated at ~120,000 mi based on average annual driving. Items marked EST. OVERDUE may already be due — verify service history with the seller. Items marked OVERDUE are confirmed past-due based on vehicle age alone.
EST. OVERDUECriticalTiming Chain Tensioner
Service interval: 10 yr · Vehicle age: 10 yr · Past due by age
Service Timing Chain Tensioner immediately — already past the 120,000 mi / 10 yr interval
Worn chain tensioners cause timing chain skip or snap — common on GM 5.3L/6.2L, Ford EcoBoost, VW/Audi EA888, BMW N47/N63. Listen for cold-start rattles.
EST. OVERDUECriticalWater Pump
Service interval: 8 yr · Vehicle age: 10 yr · Past due by age
Service Water Pump immediately — already past the 100,000 mi / 8 yr interval
Water pump failure causes rapid overheating. If the engine overheats even once, head gasket damage is likely — turning a $400 part into a $3,000+ repair.
EST. OVERDUEHighTransmission Fluid / Service
Service interval: 5 yr · Vehicle age: 10 yr · Past due by age
Service Transmission Fluid / Service immediately — already past the 60,000 mi / 5 yr interval
Degraded transmission fluid destroys clutch packs and solenoids. CVT transmissions are especially sensitive — neglected fluid can result in a $4,000–$8,000 replacement.
EST. OVERDUEHighCoolant Flush
Service interval: 5 yr · Vehicle age: 10 yr · Past due by age
Service Coolant Flush immediately — already past the 100,000 mi / 5 yr interval
Degraded coolant loses corrosion inhibitors and attacks aluminum engine components. Can cause head gasket failure and water pump corrosion.
EST. OVERDUEModerateSpark Plugs (iridium/platinum)
Service interval: 8 yr · Vehicle age: 10 yr · Past due by age
Service Spark Plugs (iridium/platinum) immediately — already past the 100,000 mi / 8 yr interval
Worn spark plugs cause misfires that can foul and crack catalytic converters. A $150 tune-up can prevent a $1,200 catalytic converter replacement.
EST. OVERDUEModerateFuel Injectors
Service interval: 10 yr · Vehicle age: 10 yr · Past due by age
Service Fuel Injectors immediately — already past the 120,000 mi / 10 yr interval
Dirty or failing injectors cause rough idle, reduced fuel economy, and increased emissions. Cleaning costs $100–$200; replacement $800–$1,600.

NHTSA Safety Recalls

CLEAR
0found
No Recall Campaigns Found
NHTSA has no active or historical recalls for this 2016 BMW.
Complaints81

Complaint Intelligence

81 complaints analyzed across 8 system categories

Electrical
1 inj34
Engine/Powertrain
18
Safety Systems
1 crash1 inj13
Other
6
Suspension/Wheels
5
Fuel System
3
Visibility
1
Steering
1
2017
1
2018
4
2019
1
2020
5
2021
2
2022
3
2023
6
2024
21
2025
34
2026
3
572% trend in recent years (increasing complaints)
Accelerating +308%
53
Last 24 months
13
Prior 24 months

⚠ Complaint rate is accelerating — issue may be getting worse

Electrical failure28
Fire/smoke22
Engine stalling7
Conditions Reported
Rain/wet (10)Parking/low-speed (4)Cold weather (3)Highway/high-speed (3)Startup (2)

Owner Complaints

HIGH VOLUME

81 safety complaints filed with NHTSA

81found
5
Fires
1
Crash
2
Injuries
ODI #11719874ENGINE

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528i. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under an unknown recall, and after the recall repair, while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal oil-burning odor entering the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local Midas, where it was discovered that oil was leaking onto the engine. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,400.

ODI #11716890EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I have 2016 BMW 5 series car, for past two to three years headlights are getting condensation inside on colder months. Dealer is not able to fix the condensation, they are advising to replace the headlights. Some of my friends replaced OEM headlights, but after few years they are started condensation, it’s looked like defect from manufacturer, I had few Honda vehicles older than my BMW car, they never had any condensation complaints. It’s look like manufacturer used cheap materials causing condensation, it is causing low light at night times may lead to accidents. Please look at this issue and consider it as a safety issue and please recall these headlights. Dealer is asking $2500 + $500 labor to fix each headlight. All of my friends are having same problem, I bet other BMW car owners too. Please issue a recall on this safety issue.

ODI #11713522ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,ENGINEFIRE

On January 29, 2020, while driving my 2016 BMW 5 Series under normal operating conditions, the engine compartment caught fire without warning. Smoke and flames originated from the engine bay while the vehicle was in motion. I was forced to pull over and exit the vehicle immediately. The fire spread rapidly, and the vehicle was declared a total loss. At the time, both my insurance carrier and BMW representatives inspected the vehicle, but no definitive cause was identified. In January 2026, I received notification that this same vehicle is subject to BMW Safety Recall Campaign No. 24V-608, which states that liquid from the positive crankcase ventilation system can drip onto the water pump electrical connector, potentially causing a short circuit and, in rare cases, an engine fire. This recall describes the same failure event that destroyed my vehicle, which occurred before any recall remedy was available.

ODI #11697057ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINEFIRE1 INJURY

My coolant line overheated. From the leaking water pump and pcv that exploded all over my engine causing it to overheat and now how has not turned back on. Ive been without a car for months and when I seen the recall and reached out to the dealer expressing my situation they said they would get back to me and have not called or emailed or even responded in months.

ODI #11687010ENGINE

During initial cold starts there is blue smoke billowing from the exhaust for approx 20 seconds. The odor is horrible.

ODI #11683511POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

A critical component failure has rendered my 2016 BMW 528xi inoperable and unsafe. The water pump failed, forcing the car into a safety "limp mode," limiting its speed to approximately 40 miles per hour. This issue mirrors NHTSA Recall 24V-608 regarding an electrical connector on the water pump that can short circuit, potentially causing a "thermal event or fire." The problem began with dashboard warnings about overheating, despite the coolant reservoir being full. Following these warnings, the vehicle entered "limp mode," posing a significant safety risk in normal traffic. The potential for fire is also a major concern. An independent service center has confirmed the water pump and its electrical connector as the point of failure. The failed component is available for inspection by a NHTSA investigator. I contacted BMW's customer relations line and was informed that no remedy is currently available. I must wait for an official letter before any action can be taken, including reimbursement. The representative did not provide a case number, making it impossible to track my complaint. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, law enforcement, or an insurance representative. I am unable to transfer the title because the car cannot pass a safety inspection in its current state. I am in a severe catch-22: I must receive a recall letter for a vehicle that I am unable to finalize ownership of. This failure to assist an owner with a known safety recall has left me stranded with a dangerous, undrivable vehicle.

ODI #11682405EXTERIOR LIGHTING

My driver headlight is constantly getting moisture trapped in it. It’s been replaced twice and the seals were checked, but it keeps happening and shorting out my headlight. It’s $4000 to fix. Just had it replaced 1.5 weeks ago and it’s broken already. I took it to bmw the moment I noticed the moisture was back and they told me it was fine. This is a widespread problem and they are not fixing their product

ODI #11682147ENGINE

Multiple critical BMW engine components are manufactured from plastic, including the oil pan, coolant expansion tank, valve cover, and turbo inlet pipe. These parts are prone to premature failure from normal heat & stress, as confirmed by independent mechanics. Failures can cause sudden loss of oil or coolant, persistent oil leaks, overheating, loss of power, and roadside breakdowns. The use of plastic for an oil pan is concerning. Plastic cannot withstand impacts with common road hazards such as tire fragments, etc. Striking a retread at highway speed could easily crack the pan, dump all engine oil, and lead to catastrophic engine seizure, endangering people. In my case (2016 BMW 528i), several plastic components have already failed, including the oil pan, turbo inlet pipe, coolant expansion tank, valve cover, and multiple coil packs. While BMW considers coil pack replacement a normal maintenance item, there are widespread complaints of premature failures. Most of the heat-related plastic failures occur above 70,000 miles. Despite several related breakdowns, the previous owner and I avoided dangerous situations. These failures are widely documented by other owners online and by independent mechanics, who often recommend aftermarket aluminum replacements for improved safety and reliability. BMW is aware of these issues but continues to use plastic for critical components--they recently lost a class-action lawsuit related to internal plastic engine parts that caused catastrophic engine damage, showing prior knowledge of the risks. These failures also create environmental hazards, as leaking plastic oil pans & valve covers contaminate roads and driveways. Because repairs are $$$, many consumers delay fixing the problems, increasing both safety and environmental risks. This design prioritizes cost savings over durability and safety. These parts should be made of metal to withstand normal use and protect drivers, passengers, and the public from unnecessary hazards.

ODI #11681035ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

Coolant pump failure engine failure also caused fire in engine bay. Insurance inspector. Pre shop inspection. No light were on prior to explosion.

ODI #11676996ENGINE

On [XXX], the coolant connector flange on my 2016 BMW 535d (VIN: [XXX] ) catastrophically failed, causing complete coolant loss. I immediately contacted BMW of Las Vegas and was instructed to drive it in despite fluid visibly leaking through the undercarriage. The next day, [XXX], BMW performed Recall 21V-907 (EGR cooler replacement), which involved draining and reconnecting the coolant circuit—but they left the failed flange in place. The failed flange connects directly to the new EGR coolant return hose installed under the recall. BMW had full access to the part but chose not to inspect or replace it. The dealer submitted a consequential damage claim to BMW North America, which was denied. The vehicle remains at the dealership unrepaired. This failure poses serious safety risks. Driving with active coolant loss could cause overheating, engine failure, or fire. Had I not stopped, this could’ve led to mechanical catastrophe. BMW re-pressurized the cooling system into a visibly broken flange, creating an unsafe condition. The failure was confirmed by BMW technicians and documented in a repair order. No warning lamps were active at the time of failure. I currently have an open case with BMW North America, but no contact has been made. I am requesting NHTSA review this matter as BMW failed to fully remedy a safety defect and ignored collateral damage tied directly to the recalled system. The failed part is available for inspection. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ODI #11676315POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

Very often, when I change the gear to 'Drive' or 'Reverse' I get a message on the dashboard screen - "secure Vehicle against rolling" and the car DOES NOT move unless I shift the auto gear lever several times or sometimes shut off the engine to get back to normal driving. Once when I was in such a situation, no matter what I do, the error message would not go away and I had to call the tow truck to get home. And when tow truck person brought the car home, the problem fixed itself!! I only have 81000 miles on this car. It is a very serious safety issue as far as I am concerned. PLEASE HELP.

ODI #11675593ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and running, the contact became aware of an abnormal burning odor. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11675103ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact stated that while her son was driving at undisclosed speeds, there was an abnormally loud knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that there was coolant leaking from the vehicle. The contact was adding coolant to the coolant reservoir every other day. The contact stated that the vehicle was smoking and there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the vehicle and the engine was overheating. The vehicle was inoperable. The coolant message was displayed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11671590ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11669076ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

My vehicle is a 2016 BMW 528i xDrive. There is an active safety recall listed under NHTSA Campaign Number 24V-608, issued in August 2024. The affected component is the engine coolant pump. As of June 2025, no remedy has been made available by BMW, and I have been told by both BMW corporate and my local dealer that they cannot provide a fix or a timeline. This component is essential to keeping the engine within safe temperature limits. Failure of the coolant pump could lead to overheating and potentially increase the risk of fire, as the recall suggests. This places my safety and that of others on the road at risk every time I drive the vehicle. I rely on this car for regular transportation and feel I have no choice but to drive a vehicle with an unresolved critical safety issue. The vehicle has not yet experienced a failure or warning light specific to the coolant system, and it has not been inspected or repaired due to the lack of remedy. However, I should not be forced to wait indefinitely or risk a dangerous situation developing before action is taken. BMW’s failure to provide a remedy or meaningful updates in nearly a year shows a lack of urgency and accountability. I am submitting this complaint to formally document the issue and ask that NHTSA take action to compel BMW to issue a fix or provide alternatives to affected owners.

ODI #11667146ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11666277ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11663133ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11662659ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the electrical connector on the water pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11661790ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528i. The contact stated that while his partner was driving at undisclosed speeds, there was smoke coming from the engine and entering the cabin through the vents while the heater was activated. There was an abnormal burning odor entering the cabin. The contact also observed the burning odor while driving the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11658922ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number:24V608000(ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available .

ODI #11657941UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Due to the nature of the car potentially catching on fire and a remedy still not being available I am concerned about my safety and of those around me since the car is used to be operated daily for commuting to work.

ODI #11655918ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Concern- smoke coming out of back exhaust at start up Cause - TAYLOR BMW (dealership) - possible needs updated oil line, turbo may be leaking internally Correction- dealership pulled faults to see if cat efficiency faults were present, saw none. Did verify smoke on startup. Doesn’t look like the turbo oil feed line has been changed (updated with check valve). There is some oil encrusted on the body of turbo. Would replace all lines since turbo removal is required for any of them; however once cat is off and if the chamber inside is wet with oil, at that point it would need a turbo as well as the lines. The above is the written diagnosis from dealership and I was quoted a price ranging from $2600- 4600- In 2016, NHTSA issued a notice for certain models/ years regarding the turbocharger feed lines (extending warranty for that part to 10 years / 120k miles). My 2016 was CPO and has only 84k (all maintenance performed by BMW) and I believe it should fall under eligible vehicles. I have reached out to BMW customer care, spoken with a case manager , all to no avail.

ODI #11654845ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11654425FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 535D. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of motive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with high-pressure fuel pump failure. The vehicle was left at the local dealer, where it remained for further repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V586000 (Fuel System, Diesel); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.

ODI #11653684SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

I've gotten my car fixed multiple times and nothing has worked. My car is leaking coolant severely it overheats constantly I get the red and the yellow message. My heater is self stopped working and my car on the freeway has stopped from going 75 to 80 miles dropping all the way to 20 miles.

ODI #11652697ENGINEFIRE

Valve cover leak Oil filter housing leak Super common that these items leak in the bmw N57 diesel engines. Increased risk of fire. I am in the Facebook group with many other owners of the same engine, and almost everyone runs into the same problems by 100,000 miles.

ODI #11648795ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11646327ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact stated that while attempting to activate the heating system, the heating system failed to activate. There was an abnormal coolant odor entering the vehicle through the vents. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, the manufacturer was unable to confirm when parts would be available. The failure mileage was 137,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11646014ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11643709ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Leak error messages that cannot be removed until recall issue with fluid leak is fixed. Leak is corroding engine fuel lines and can cause a fire Will driving. The remedy is taking to long to be deployed. Need assistance with this issue.

ODI #11643475ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11641063ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke was coming from the engine compartment into the cabin of the vehicle through the air vents. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 37,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11639444ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the "Coolant Low - Please Refill", message was occasionally displayed. The contact stated that after refilling the coolant reservoir and driving for a while, the coolant level would be low again. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 94,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11639060ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11636766ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

I have an Issue with my car cause Engine Coolant smells like oil burning and smoke coming inside the car through AC and also having a recall issue but no remedy available with BMW so spend my money and get repaired from outside mechanic, BMW reported me that if there is no remedy available right now so we can't do anything so I get repaired outside and spend 1500$.

ODI #11634664SUSPENSION,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact stated that there was an abnormal burning odor coming from the vehicle while at a stop. The contact detected fumes underneath the hood and there was oil on the alternator. The contact stated that the tires were replaced, but the vehicle was not aligned. The contact stated that the driveshaft had dropped and was making an abnormal rubbing sound. The oil light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the rear differential needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electricals System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for a routine oil change and the contact was made aware of an oil leak. The vehicle was diagnosed again, and the contact was informed that the rear differential needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 151,198. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11631740ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

Do to the water pump recall and the water pump electrical connector on my vehicle, it is no longer in driving condition and has caused engine overheating and damage. I am still paying for a car I cannot drive. I need help

ODI #11631745ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact stated while driving 50-60 MPH, there was smoke coming from underneath the hood and out of the exhaust pipes. The coolant temperature warning light and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle sputtered and stalled. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the water pump had failed, causing several damages to the vehicle, including engine failure. The vehicle had not been repaired due to the cost. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11629030ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact's wife owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive coolant consumption. The low coolant warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated while his wife was driving at approximately 35 MPH, the driver noticed that there was steamy smoke coming out from underneath the hood. The driver pulled to the side of the road and noticed that fluid was leaking underneath the engine. The vehicle was taken to Sunshine Auto, where the contact's wife was informed that coolant was leaking. The mechanic informed the contact that the turbo needed to be taken out for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); which the contact related to the failure; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11628628ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11625951ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact received a message displaying a hazard symbol for the driver restraint system. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed the fault for the driver’s side air bag Intel Stage 2. The dealer confirmed that there was an internal disconnect with the air bag that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer confirmed that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the repair was not included in the recall or covered under warranty. The failure mileage was 17,700. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11625556UNKNOWN OR OTHER

This recall campaign begins Aug 2024. As of today 11-15-24, the dealership still stated, "remedy is unavailable". This is not acceptable. What should I do next?

ODI #11622955ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument panel became inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the image on the instrument panel was blank. The contact also noticed smoke coming from the exhaust. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11621955ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact stated while driving 30-35 MPH, the message that the engine was overheating was displayed. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and allowed the engine to cool down. The contact resumed driving; however, the failure recurred several times while driving; requiring the contact to pull over to the side of the road several times for several minutes. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that he was mechanically inclined and had replaced the thermostat and the coolant temperature sensor. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the water pump's electrical connector had melted, and the water pump was damaged. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System), which the contact related to the failure; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11621539ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFIRE

The contact owned a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact stated that while driving at 30 -35 MPH with the windows down, there was a smoke odor present. The contact pulled over into a parking lot and smoke was discovered coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle suddenly engulfed in flames as the contact was still seated in the vehicle. The contact was able to safely exit the vehicle. The fire department arrived on the scene and was able to extinguish the fire. The origin of the fire was unknown. It was unknown if a fire report was filed. No injuries were sustained. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who determined that the vehicle was destroyed and the cause was unknown since the fire destroyed the front end of the vehicle including the dashboard and both front driver and passenger side door panels were melted. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The failure mileage was 120,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11621241ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was smoke coming through the A/C vents and coming from underneath the hood. The check engine warning light and an unknown warning light were illuminated. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); which the contact related to the failure; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11616563AIR BAGS

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 #11615371ENGINE

On our 2016 BMW 528i, the valve cover had to be replaced at 82,723 miles. We took the car in to Galleria BMW in D'Iberville, MS on [XXX] for an oil change and the mechanic reported there was oil on the engine and that he needed to replace the valve cover because this was a fire hazard. I was surprised the valve cover needed to be replaced and not just the gasket. Their service advisor said due to the high heat environment and age, the plastic valve cover would wear and deteriorate like a tire. I thought, what if this happened when I did not need an oil change and drove a few thousand miles with leaking oil on my engine. I think it is appalling plastic parts would be used in that environment. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ODI #11613768AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Some wires within the steering wheel deteriorated causing my driver air bag to no longer be connected and my horn no longer works to alert other drivers.

ODI #11609695ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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 vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the water pump, plug connector, and head gasket had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

ODI #11604602FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAS SUDDENLY FAILED CAUSING A IMMEDIATE ENGINE STALL WITHOUT WARNING. WILL NOT RESTART EVEN THOUGH IT DOES TURN OVER. CODE READS LOW FUEL PRESSURE AT FUEL RAIL. FUEL TANK LIFT PUMP IS WORKING CORRECTLY. THERE IS A RECALL FOR SOME 2014 TO 2016 535D FOR THIS FAILURE. WHY IS MINE NOT COVERED? 122,400 MILES.

ODI #11595922POWER TRAIN

Driveshaft dampener (Guibo) is cracking with 57k miles on the vehicle. This may be the result of poor manufacturing quality. This problem was identified by the BMW dealership while performing a routine service inspection.

ODI #11582125SEAT BELTS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 .Panoramic sunroof curtain has been repaired twice at the dealer and now it broke for the third time 2. the controls to the panoramic sunroof do not work at all 3.Passenger restrain system malfunction

ODI #11582126AIR BAGS

PASSENGER RESTRAIN MALFUNCTION

ODI #11579693AIR BAGS

The driver restraint system malfunctioned out of the blue. It’s still at the dealership where I’m paying to have it diagnosed. This problem is so common it is a running joke on Twitter, yet there’s no recall on my car that is only 8 years old.

ODI #11570431AIR BAGS

The passenger air bag signal flashes on and off even when someone is seating on the passenger seat.

ODI #11569571AIR BAGS

Air Bag warning light stays on.

ODI #11561401ENGINE

2016 BMW 528i with 65,000 miles. Oil leaking from pan and told by mechanic that premature failed oil pan gasket and warping of oil pan well known by the manufacturer but they refuse to address the problem leaving the repair bill for customers. Poor design should not be the purchaser's responsibility.

ODI #11554223ENGINE

Bmw had recalled the n20 engine for timing chain guides replacement up to year 2015. The original timing chain guides were orange in color but also found to an inferior part from manufacturer. Bmw had replaced the original guides to a white color as supposed to a better product. Now then my 2016 model 528xi not only has the original orange color chain guides or let's say inferior part from manufacturer because my manufacturer date my car is 08/2015..

ODI #11544725ENGINE

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 528I. The contact stated that when he started the vehicle, he heard an unusual rattling sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with a stretched timing chain guide. The contact was informed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.

ODI #11529362SEAT BELTS

I got a notice from the car that the restraint system was malfunctioning. It said to go ahead and wear my seatbelt and go to the nearest repair shop. This is distressing and should not have happened. I’m afraid to drive it. I have no other means of transportation. My life was destroyed by a near fatal car accident in 1994 as I was enrolling in medical school. An 18-wheeler pulled out on narrow 2-lane Hwy with no shoulder. It ran through a very dense pine forest in east Texas. The trailer had only a bicycle sized reflector, and it was caked with mud. He was invisible. I couldn’t see him until my headlights shone upon the trailer. What is that? A distance of 50-60 feet, at most? Brights weren’t on. It was drizzling and little wisps of road mist were floating above the road here and there. I slammed as hard as I could apparently. As I swerved into the oncoming lane, the driver behind me watched in horror as my headlights swept across the entire length of the trailer. There was nowhere to go. I slid under the trailer and hit the axle going 45 mph. No time to stop. The driver directly behind me was an off duty police officer. He got out and ran over to the truck to tell the driver to stop. He didn’t know he’d caused an accident. The off duty policeman checked my car to see if there were any survivors. He peered into the dark through my window and found me alive and conscious. The seatbelt was still wrapped around me but the force of impact caused it to pop out of its socket. My head snapped forward on impact. It hit the airbag with such force, it ruptured fully on one side. I have a brain injury, was in a light coma for over four years. My life was so thoroughly destroyed, I had not one thing left but my 2 dogs and a Bible. My house, car, job, the ability to live independently, my future, and my personality—the person I was for the first 24 years of my life—all gone. Family abandoned me. I couldn’t function. Seatbelts must do their job. And truck drivers can go to hell.

ODI #11525214AIR BAGS

*drivers' restraint system t * There is a big possibility that airbags won't deploy when I need them to. *Confirmed by dealership *Yes vehicle has been inspected by BMW dealership. * There was no warning no other symptoms

ODI #11506240AIR BAGS

The driver's side supplemental restraint warning light has come on and stays on. I have an appointment with my service center.

ODI #11479056POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

A recall campaign No. 21V-907 was issued for my car on November 19, 2021 for the EGR Cooler. In the past 6 months I've had to add engine coolant to the cooling system reservoir and I made sure it is not leaking on the ground. On 8-8-22 I had a check engine light(MIL) with a stored code of P2004 which indicated: Intake manifold runner control (IMRC) is stuck in the open position. According to your recall letter, an EGR Cooler leak could develop and the coolant could mix with the soot deposits in the intake manifold and under certain conditions it could result in a fire. I have experienced a reduction in engine power, a warning symbol of low engine coolant, and an unpleasant exhaust odor so I contacted Stevens Creek BMW in San Jose, CA and spoke to the Service Manager. He said they are not able to fix my car due to the BMW EGR Cooler not being available. Can you help?

ODI #11477184FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL,ENGINE

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 535D. The contact stated that the engine warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V907000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.

ODI #11448370FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

The contact owns a 2016 BMW 535D. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V907000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

ODI #11407469UNKNOWN OR OTHERFIRE

CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE WHEN THE ENGINE WAS OFF FOR 2.5 HOURS. IT HAPPENED WHILE PARKED, IN MY APARTMENT COMPLEX PARKING LOT AND NO ONE WAS INSIDE THE CAR AT THE TIME.

ODI #11391051UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

THE HEAD UNIT OR THE CAR STOPPED WORKING. AS A RESULT, REAR VIEW CAMERA, ALL WARNING SYSTEMS OR THE CAR INCLUDING WARNINGS FOR LOW TIRE PRESSURE, WARNINGS FOR DISTANCE FROM OBJECTS IN FRONT, SIDE AND REAR ALL STOPPED WORKING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH ALL SAFETY FEATURES OF THE CAR WERE DISABLED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME HEAD UNIT HAS STOPPED WORKING ON THE SAME CAR AND THE SECOND TIME WHEN THE HEAD UNIT NEEDED A REPLACEMENT. SEEMS LIKE A SYSTEMIC ISSUE AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED WITH BMWS.

ODI #11361227FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

BMW 528I 2016 CAR THAT IS LITTLE OVER 4 YEARS LESS JUST HIT 35K MILEAGE LOST ALL ITS FUEL INJECTORS, COILS AND PLUGS. BELOW IS THE SUMMARY OF DIAGNOSIS. 35146 FUEL INJECTORS FAULTY. CONFIRMED SES LIGHT IS ON. DME STORED SOURCED FROM THE VEHICLE MISFIRE FAULTS ON MULTIPLE CYLINDERS. DME ALSO STORED FAULT 118002 "MIXTURE TOO RICH," WORKED THROUGH TEST PLAN. PERFORMED ENGINE TEST AND MANUFACTURER AND BACKED BY DETERMINED CYLINDERS 1, 2, AND 4 INJECTORS FAULTY. DIAGCODE: ITS LIMITED WARRANTY. D1350 00000000 01 002. REMOVED ALL SPARK PLUGS AND FOUND SPARK PLUGS 2, 3, AND 4 FUEL SOAKED. RECOMMEND REPLACE ALL 4 FUEL INJECTORS AND SPARK PLUGS. ALSO RECOMMEND REPLACE ALL 4 IGNITION COILS AS A PREVENTATIVE TOTAL COST ESTIMATED IS AROUND $4500; BMW NORTH AMERICA IS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH CAR OR MODEL

ODI #11355391STEERING,WHEELS

THE CAR HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE CV JOINTS, THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR IN 10/19 - IF I TRY TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AT TIMES WHILE DRIVING IT WON'T TURN. THE BMW CERTIFIED DEALER STATES IT IS BOTH CV JOINTS AND BMW HAS BEEN RECALLING THEIR VEHICLES SINCE 2013 FOR CV JOINTS

ODI #11339545SUSPENSION

MY PEOPLE IS MAKING A TAPPING NOISE FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION AREA I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND THE LAST TIME WAS ON 6 9 2011 I WAS TOLD TO BRING THE CAR BACK WHEN THE NOISE IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING SO THE LEAD MECHANIC ASKED YOU ROLL WITH ME AND HEARD THE NOISE AND CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM I DROPPED THE CAR OFF AFTER TWO DAYS I WAS TOLD THAT THEY CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM DIRECTLY CONTRADICTING WHAT THE LEAD MECHANIC HAD TOLD ME I'M NOT SURE I'M NOT SURE WHAT'S GOING ON I'M ACTUALLY AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR BECAUSE THIS NEWS HAS ACTUALLY GOTTEN WORSE AND LOUDER ALSO GET THIS NOISE WHILE MAKING TURNS IT'S ON A MISTAKE WELL NOISE AND MECHANIC HURTED I'M NOT SURE WHY IT'S NOT BEING TAKEN CARE OF I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS THANKS YOU HAVE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED

ODI #11312190AIR BAGS

MY CAR IS SHOWING A WARNING SIGN PASSENGER RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION

ODI #11308861POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

MY 2016 BMW 550I XDRIVE M SPORT IS USING/BURNING ONE QUART OF OIL EVERY 750-800 MILES, THE ODOMETER READS 36,343 MILES, VERY LOW MILES FOR THIS CAR TO BE USING THAT MUCH OIL, I BOUGHT IT IN AUGUST OF 2019 WITH 34,654 MILES ON IT. YOU CAN SEE THAT I DON'T DRIVE IT THAT MUCH, HAVE NEVER HAD THE CAR ON ANY KIND OF TRACK. THE BMW DEALERSHIP IN SCHERERVILLE INDIANA SAYS THIS KIND OF OIL CONSUMPTION IS NORMAL.!!! THERE IS NO WAY THIS EXPENSIVE LUXURY CAR SHOULD BURN ANY KIND OF OIL WITH THIS LOW OF MILES. I REALLY WANT THIS COMPLAINT TO BE HEARD!! THANK YOU.

ODI #11217379TIRES

I OWN A 2016 BMW 550I EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR EAGLE LS2 RUN FLAT TIRES. THE VEHICLE HAS 24,000 MILES AND THE TREAD IS SEPARATING ON THE TIRES.

ODI #11133207UNKNOWN OR OTHER

REDUCTANT TANK SENSOR FAILURE

ODI #11083916AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKESCRASH1 INJURY

TAKATA RECALL,, 12-20-2017 I WAS IN A COLLISION. MY VEHICLE REAR ENDED A VEHICLE WHILE TRYING TO STOP. I WAS ALONE IN MY VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE STEERING WHEEL AND KNEE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGER FRONT AND REAR SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT AND REAR SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. BMW UPON MY REQUEST AND COMPLAINTS HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED MY ONE OF THEIR ENGINEERS. WHO I WAS TOLD SAID THAT THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED. WHEN I ASKED THEM WHY WOULD THE PASSENGERS IF I WAS ALONE AND WAS TOLD OH THAT'S A SAFETY PRECAUTION DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.

ODI #11079721TIRES

TIRES ARE COMING APART AND UNSERVICEABLE AT 19000 MILES OF NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE TIRE SHOP TELLS ME THEY ARE CLEARLY DEFECTIVE

ODI #11076396TIRES

1 ST TIRE BLOWN 13000 MILES AT 45 MPH ON LAKE HAVASU CITY,AZ 2ND TIRE BLOWN 16000 MILES AT 65 ON 5FWY LOS ANGELES,CA AT 14 000 MILES HAD TO REPLACE A TIRE FOR A PUNTURE SO NO BIG DEAL BUT 3 GOODYEAR EAGLE LS 245/45R18 RUN ON FLAT BEFORE 20 000 MILES THATS A CONCERN SAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR

ODI #11012313AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL. I HAVE RECEIVED A NOTICE ON 7/31/2017 OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT REGARDING MY VEHICLE AND TAKATA AIR BAGS.; HOWEVER BMW HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL TO FIX THE AIR BAG PROBLEM. IS BMW OBLIGATED TO FIX THE AIR BAG PROBLEM REGARDLESS IF I JOIN THE SUIT OR NOT?

ODI #10937467WHEELS

CAR SOLD IN MINNEAPOLIS, MN WITH "SUMMER" TIRES. DISCLOSURE ON STICKER = "WHEEL & TIRE SET STYLE 464M GR." NO DISCUSSION FROM SALESPERSON ON RISKS OF SUMMER TIRES IN WINTER CONDITIONS. CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE ON ANY FORM OF ICE / SNOW, WHICH IS OFTEN HALF THE YEAR IN MN.

Complaint & Reliability Timeline

Annual complaints (blue) vs. composite reliability score (amber) — recall years marked in red

Annual complaints and reliability score for BMW 535i — recall years marked in red
01734050100201620182020202220242026Complaints/yrReliability (0–100)
Annual complaints (left axis)
Reliability score 0–100 (right axis, higher = safer)
Crash-involved complaints that year
Chart Analysis

The blue line shows 81 total NHTSA complaints filed over 11 years, with the worst year being 2025 (34 complaints).

The amber reliability line is declining — recent years score around 56/100, lower than earlier in the vehicle's life. This pattern indicates issues are accumulating over time rather than being resolved, which is a concern for used buyers.

Notably, despite 81 complaints on file, no recall has been issued — either the defect pattern has not met NHTSA's threshold for a formal campaign, or a recall may be forthcoming.

Red dots on the amber line flag 2018, a year when complaints included crash events — these are the highest-severity incidents in the dataset.

Details & Analysis
Financial

5-Year Ownership Cost Estimate

Based on EPA fuel data, standard depreciation, and US average insurance/maintenance costs

$3,350
Annual Fuel
EPA estimate
$1,800
Annual Insurance
US average
$1,800
Annual Maintenance
10-yr-old vehicle avg
$0
Annual Depreciation
Current period
Estimated 5-Year Total Cost
Fuel + Insurance + Maintenance + Depreciation
$34,750

Estimates use EPA fuel economy data, AAA 2024 national averages for insurance and maintenance, and a standard depreciation curve. Actual costs vary by location, driving habits, and vehicle condition.

5-Year Total Cost of Ownership

Estimated based on EPA fuel data, risk-adjusted maintenance, and depreciation

$50,364
~$839/mo over 5 yrs
$0.4/mi
cost per mile
Fuel
$16,750
Insurance (est.)
$7,500
Maintenance
$18,000
Repair Risk Buffer
$3,000
Depreciation
$5,114

Estimated 5-year cost of ownership: $50,364 (~$839/mo). Repair risk buffer is standard due to vehicle risk profile.

Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Tailored for the 2016 BMW 535i — specific failure modes your mechanic must check, not a generic list

MEDIUM
Test drive and inspect: ENGINE
Multiple owner complaints filed for this component — verify it functions correctly during test drive.
MEDIUM
Test drive and inspect: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Multiple owner complaints filed for this component — verify it functions correctly during test drive.
MEDIUM
Test drive and inspect: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,ENGINE
Multiple owner complaints filed for this component — verify it functions correctly during test drive.
MEDIUM
Get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic
For any used vehicle with a risk score above Low, a $100–$150 independent inspection is always worth it.
MEDIUM
Run a VIN check on NHTSA.gov to confirm all recalls are closed
Free at nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/recalls — enter the VIN and confirm all campaigns show as completed.
MEDIUM
Verify title is clean and check for salvage/rebuilt brands at your state DMV
Title washing across state lines is common — confirm with your state DMV before finalizing purchase.

Recall Probability Forecast

Estimated likelihood of a new recall in the next 18 months based on NHTSA signals

20%
18-month
36%
2-year
Moderate Probability
Cumulative 2-year risk: 36%

20% estimated recall probability — some indicators present but not alarming.

  • Accelerating complaint rate — increasing pressure on NHTSA to act

Maintenance Schedule

OEM-specified service intervals for this vehicle

Maintenance intervals vary significantly by make, model, year, engine, and driving conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's official schedule — not generic industry estimates.

Tip: Request the seller's service records and compare against the manufacturer schedule. Missing intervals are a negotiation point.

History & Auctions

Auction History

Public sale records from Copart, IAAI, and auction aggregators

Searching Public Auction Records

Checking Copart, IAAI, BidFax, and other sources for WBA5B1C53GG129166. Results appear automatically when found.

Insurance Cost Estimate

Estimated annual premiums based on vehicle profile, theft data, and NHTSA safety ratings

Full Coverage
$1,450–$1,850/yr
~$121–$154/mo
Liability Only
$560–$710/yr
~$47–$59/mo
Category: Standard Vehicle
10-year-old vehicle: −18% (depreciated ACV lowers full-coverage cost)

Based on 2024 national avg ($2,011/yr full coverage). Individual rates vary by driver, location & insurer. Always compare 3+ quotes.

Manufacturer NHTSA Penalty History

Federal fines issued for recall delays and safety violations

BMW has been fined $3M+ by NHTSA. Most recently in 2014: Failure to submit required Early Warning Reports to NHTSA.

2014$3MFailure to submit required Early Warning Reports to NHTSA

State-Specific Legal Protections

What consumer laws apply to this vehicle purchase in your state

Select your state to see what consumer protection laws, lemon law coverage, and title disclosure requirements apply to this vehicle purchase.

Complete Data Table

All decoded fields in a single flattened view

Vehicle Identity

VINWBA5B1C53GG129166
Model Year2016
MakeBMW
Model535i
Series5-series
Vehicle TypePASSENGER CAR

Body & Configuration

Body StyleSedan/Saloon
Doors4
Fuel TypeGasoline

Engine

Engine Cylinders6
Displacement (L)3
Horsepower300

Manufacturer

ManufacturerBMW AG
Assembly CityDINGOLFING
Assembly CountryGERMANY

VIN Structure

WMI (Chars 1–3)WBA
Check Digit (Char 9)3
Model Year Code (Char 10)G
Plant Code (Char 11)G
Sequence (Chars 12–17)129166

Safety Data

NHTSA Recall Count0
NHTSA Complaint Count81

VIN Structure Decode

ISO 3779 character-by-character breakdown of this Vehicle Identification Number

W
1
B
2
A
3
5
4
B
5
1
6
C
7
5
8
3
9
G
10
G
11
1
12
2
13
9
14
1
15
6
16
6
17
WMI (1–3)
VDS (4–8)
Check Digit (9)
Model Year (10)
Serial (11–17)
W
World Manufacturer
Country & region of manufacture
Position 1
B
Manufacturer
Specific manufacturer identifier
Position 2
A
Vehicle Type
Division or vehicle type
Position 3
5B1C5
Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)
Body style, engine type, restraint system
Position 4–8
3
Check Digit
Mathematical validation character
Position 9
G
Model Year
Year of manufacture
Position 10
G
Assembly Plant
Where the vehicle was assembled
Position 11
129166
Production Sequence
Unique serial number for this vehicle
Position 12–17
Country of Manufacture
Germany
From VIN position 1 (W)
Model Year Character
"G" → 2016
Could also be 1986
Check Digit (Pos 9)
✓ Valid
ISO 3779 weighted-sum algorithm
Research This Model

Disclaimer: Data sourced from NHTSA public APIs and scraped auction listings. For informational purposes only. Not a substitute for a paid vehicle history report. Retrieved: 6/11/2026, 2:44:25 PM.