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2011 BMW 535i

4 recalls Most severe issue: Critical

All recalls are free to repair at your local dealership. Contact your dealer to schedule service.

Known Safety Recalls

Critical #17V067000 Plain English
Component

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The constant velocity (CV) joint in your vehicle's drivetrain is like a flexible elbow that connects your transmission to your wheels. It allows your wheels to move up and down as you drive, but in your 2011-2012 BMW, it could wear out and break.
Risk if Unfixed
If the CV joint breaks, you could lose power and have trouble controlling your vehicle, especially when driving on the highway or at high speeds. This could increase the risk of a crash.
Free Fix
BMW will inspect the CV joint and replace it if necessary, at no cost to you. Your dealer will contact you when it's time to schedule the repair, and you should follow their instructions to have it done as soon as possible.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 1 Series M Coupe and 135i Convertible vehicles, 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i, 335i, 335d, 335i Coupe, 335is Coupe, 335i Convertible, 335is Convertible, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535i Gran Turismo and 550i xDrive Gran Turismo vehicles and 2012 740i and 740Li vehicles. The rear driveshaft constant velocity (CV) joint on the affected vehicles may fatigue and break.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
If the CV joint breaks, the vehicle may have a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
Original — Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear driveshaft CV joint and, based on its production date, will replace it, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Critical #16V746000 Plain English
Component

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
Your vehicle's fuel pump module has a problem with its wire connections. The wires might not be securely attached, which could cause a fuel leak or your fuel pump to stop working.
Risk if Unfixed
If this happens, you could experience a fuel leak, which might cause your engine to stall. This increases the risk of being involved in a crash.
Free Fix
BMW will fix this issue for you at no cost. They'll replace the faulty fuel pump module at a dealership of your choice, and they'll notify you when it's time to bring your vehicle in.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 BMW X5 3.0si, X5 4.8i, X5 M, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i and X5 xDrive50i, 2008-2011 X6 x Drive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 535i xDrive Gran Turismo, 535i Gran Turismo, 550i xDrive Gran Turismo and 550i Gran Turismo, 2011-2012 528i, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i and 550i xDrive and 2012 535i ActiveHybrid, 640i Convertible, 650i Convertible, 650i xDrive Convertible, 650i Coupe and 650i Coupe xDrive vehicles. The affected vehicles have in-tank fuel pumps that may have insufficiently crimped wire contacts.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
The loose wires may cause the connector to melt, resulting in a fuel leak. Additionally, the fuel pump may stop working, possibly causing an engine stall and increase the risk of a crash.
Original — Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Critical #14V176000 Plain English
Component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The VANOS unit in your engine controls the timing of your engine's valves. The bolts that hold the VANOS housing can loosen over time and possibly break.
Risk if Unfixed
If the bolts break, your engine may lose power or stall while driving. This could make it hard to control your vehicle and increase the chance of a crash.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the four bolts that hold the VANOS housing, free of charge. This repair will be done at no cost to you. You should schedule it as soon as you get the recall notice.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i Convertible, 528i Sedan, 535i Sedan, 535i xDrive Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, and X3 xDrive 35i, 2010 X3 xDrive 30i, and X5 xDrive 30i, 2012 640i Coupe, and 640i Convertible and 2010-2012 535i Gran Turismo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Original — Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. The recall began on September 24, 2014. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #16V832000 Plain English
Component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
Your vehicle may have a faulty air bag control module that could be incorrectly programmed, which could prevent your air bags from deploying properly in an accident.
Risk if Unfixed
If you're in a bad crash, your air bags, safety belt pre-tensioners, and head restraints might not work as they should, which could increase the risk of injury.
Free Fix
You'll get a free replacement of the faulty control module at a dealership, with no cost to you.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2011 BMW 528i, 528xi, 535i, 535xi, 550i and 550xi vehicles manufactured March 1, 2010, through August 31, 2011. The affected vehicles may have received a replacement Sensor Cluster Unit (SCU) during a service visit. These SCUs have an acceleration sensor that may have been incorrectly programmed and, as a result, the SCU may not accurately determine if activation and deployment of the air bags, safety belt pre-tensioners and head restraints is necessary in the event of a crash.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
Depending on the severity of the crash, inadequate activation of the driver and/or passenger air bags, safety belt pre-tensioners and active head restraints may increase the risk of injury.
Original — Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the SCU, free of charge. The recall began on December 16, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →

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