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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2014–2016

BMW 535d recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 73 owner complaints for the BMW 535d, covering model years 2014 to 2016. The 2014 model year drew the most complaints (58), and Engine is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your BMW 535d VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 6 recall campaigns on file
  • 73 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 3 model years with data (2014–2016)
  • most complaints: 2014 (58 for that model year)
  • top component: Engine (34 complaints)
  • latest recall 24V527000 (reported Jul 11, 2024)
  • 0 complaints reporting a crash (0.0%)
  • 4 complaints reporting a fire (5.5%)
  • 1 complaint reporting an injury (1.4%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

BMW 535d complaints by model year

3 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2014 model year has the most complaints: 58 of 73, or 79.5%. Next come 2016 (9) and 2015 (6).

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
BMW 535d owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2014–2016Column chart of 73 complaints across 3 model years. The highest is 2014 with 58. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2014: 58 complaints5820142015: 6 complaints620152016: 9 complaints92016
BMW 535d complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
BMW 535d complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
2014580310
201560000
201690100
All model years730410

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported BMW 535d components

top 13 · NHTSA categories

Engine is the component named most often, in 34 complaints (46.6% of all 73), followed by Fuel/Propulsion System (23) and Fuel System, Diesel (13).

Components named most often in BMW 535d complaints (top 13)
Components named most often in BMW 535d complaints (top 13)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Engine3446.6%
Fuel/Propulsion System2331.5%
Fuel System, Diesel1317.8%
Power Train811.0%
Unknown or Other68.2%
Electrical System45.5%
Structure34.1%
Engine and Engine Cooling22.7%
Exterior Lighting11.4%
Fuel System, Gasoline11.4%
Seat Belts11.4%
Tires11.4%
Vehicle Speed Control11.4%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

BMW 535d recalls

6 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name 535d, newest first. The 6 campaigns cover model years 2014 to 2016. The 2016 model year appears in the most campaigns (5).

  • 6 recall campaigns
BMW 535d recall campaigns covering each model year
2014: 4 campaigns2015: 3 campaigns2016: 5 campaigns
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 24V527000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module

    Model year 2014

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2015 6 Series Gran Coupe, 2014 5 Series Gran Turismo, 2014 5 Series Sedan, 2015 6 Series Convertible, 2015 6 Series Coupe, 2014 X5, 2013-2014 X3, 2014-2015 3 Series Sedan, 2014 4 Series Coupe, 2014 4 Series Convertible, 2014 3 Series Gran Turismo, and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. Please see the recall report for the complete list of models. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.

    Consequence:
    An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, increasing the risk of injury or death.
    Remedy:
    The driver's front air bag will be replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

  2. NHTSA campaign 21V907000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Diesel

    Model years 2014–2016

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2018 328d, 328d xDrive, 2014-2018 328d Sports Wagon, 328d xDrive Sports Wagon, 2014-2016 535d, 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d SAV, and 2014-2017 X5 xDrive35d SAV diesel vehicles equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module with an integrated cooler. The EGR cooler may leak internally, causing coolant to mix with diesel engine soot, which could result in smoldering particles and a melting intake manifold.

    Consequence:
    A melting intake manifold increases the risk of a fire.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the EGR cooler and inspect the intake manifold, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 18V-755. Vehicles previously recalled under 18V-755 will need to have the new remedy performed for this recall. An interim owner notification letter was mailed on January 18, 2022. The remedy is expected to be available in June 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 6, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

  3. NHTSA campaign 21V586000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Diesel › Delivery › Fuel Pump

    Model years 2014–2016

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2018 328d, 328d xDrive, X5 xDrive35d, 2014-2016 535d, 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, and 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d vehicles. The high-pressure fuel pump may fail.

    Consequence:
    Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the high-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 14, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

  4. NHTSA campaign 18V755000

    Reported

    Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Gas Recirculation Valve (EGR Valve)

    Model years 2014–2016

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2018 BMW 328d and 328d xDrive, 2014-2018 328d Sports Wagon and 328d xDrive Sports Wagon, 2014-2016 535d and 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d SAV and 2014-2017 X5 xDrive35d SAV vehicles equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module with an integrated cooler. If the EGR cooler leaks internally, the coolant can mix with diesel engine soot. The high EGR temperatures may result in these particles possibly smoldering and melting the intake manifold.

    Consequence:
    The melting intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
    Remedy:
    BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the EGR cooler as necessary. If a leak has already occurred, the engine intake manifold will also be replaced. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

  5. NHTSA campaign 16V914000

    Reported

    Air Bags

    Model year 2016

    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.

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

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

  6. NHTSA campaign 15V718000

    Reported

    Child Seat; Seats › Mid/Rear Assembly

    Model year 2016

    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."

    Consequence:
    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.
    Remedy:
    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.

    Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

BMW 535d questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the BMW 535d have?

NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recall campaigns for the BMW 535d, covering model years 2014 to 2016. The most recent, 24V527000, was reported on July 11, 2024 and is filed under “Air bags”. The 2016 model year is covered by the most campaigns (5).

Which BMW 535d model year has the most complaints?

The 2014 model year, with 58 of the 73 complaints in NHTSA’s file (79.5%). The next are 2016 (9) and 2015 (6). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common BMW 535d complaint?

Engine is the component named most often: 34 complaints, or 46.6% of all 73. Fuel/Propulsion System (23) and Fuel System, Diesel (13) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my BMW 535d?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a BMW dealer.

How many BMW 535d complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 73 complaints, 0 report a crash, 4 a fire, 1 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other BMW models

8 models · most complaints first

The BMW models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the BMW VIN decoder with every BMW model page, WMI code and VIN note.

  • BMW X5 1999–2026 · 103 recalls · 3,138 complaints
  • BMW 328i 1996–2016 · 27 recalls · 2,576 complaints
  • BMW X3 2004–2026 · 60 recalls · 1,989 complaints
  • BMW 325i 1995–2012 · 20 recalls · 1,281 complaints
  • BMW Z4 2002–2023 · 28 recalls · 1,280 complaints
  • BMW 3 Series 1995–2023 · 8 recalls · 841 complaints
  • BMW 528i 1997–2016 · 14 recalls · 831 complaints
  • BMW 330i 1999–2026 · 38 recalls · 813 complaints

All BMW models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.