2016 BMW 535i recalls and problems

The 2016 BMW 535i has 2 safety recalls and 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any BMW dealer.

Recalls
2
Complaints
12
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2016 BMW 535i vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2016 BMW 535i recalls

Recall 16V-914: Air Bags

Reported Dec 20, 2016 · 3,506 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

Problem: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

Recall 15V-718: Seats, Child Seat

Reported Oct 30, 2015 · 7,162 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

Problem: 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."

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

2016 BMW 535i problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Air Bags7
Unknown or Other2
Seat Belts2
Tires1
Visibility/Wiper1
Forward Collision Avoidance1
Engine and Engine Cooling1

Most reported parts

  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 36,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2016 BMW 535i complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Air Bags · reported Sep 26, 2024
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.
Engine and Engine Cooling · at 78,000 miles · reported Aug 20, 2024
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.
Seat Belts · reported Apr 10, 2024
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
Seat Belts · reported Jun 28, 2023
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…
Air Bags · reported Feb 8, 2023
The driver's side supplemental restraint warning light has come on and stays on. I have an appointment with my service center.

Other BMW 535i years

Compare all BMW 535i years · All BMW models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2016 BMW 535i have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2016 BMW 535i: 16V-914 (air bags), 15V-718 (seats, child seat). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2016 BMW 535i?

Owners report air bags problems most often (7 reports), followed by unknown or other (2). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 36,000 miles.

Are BMW recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized BMW dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.