CarRecallWatchThe 2013 BMW 535i has 1 safety recall on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 39 complaints with NHTSA, including 1 crash, 2 fires, 1 injury.
The most-reported problem area is Electrical System (13 reports).
2013 BMW 535i recalls
Rear reflectors may not reflect enough light, raising crash risk
The rear reflex reflectors on these 2013 BMW 5 Series and M5 vehicles may not reflect enough light.
Most common 2013 BMW 535i problems
Problem areas named in the 39 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 13 |
| Engine | 10 |
| Exterior Lighting | 8 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Suspension | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Structure | 2 |
What owners report
UKNOWN EXACT PROBLEM. 2013 BMW 535i with the same N55 motor with the [XXX] recall. Similar symptoms: Drivetrain malfunction and "camshaft stuck" code with loud metallic clanking in upper front of engine bay. Incident happened at rough 5-10mph pulling out of a parking lot just at 160,000 miles. Oil spilling everywhere and car was losing power. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
My 2013 BMW 535i (VIN [XXX] ) caught fire spontaneously while parked, turned off, and unoccupied on 11/18/2025 in Westbury, NY. A passerby saw smoke and called 911. Nassau County Police and the Westbury Fire Department responded. Firefighters informed me at the scene that the fire was mechanical in origin. The vehicle was completely off and had been parked for about 20 minutes. I was not in or near the car. The fire originated under the hood. This matches known fire patterns in BMW 5-series models from this generation involving electrical/engine components, even though my VIN shows no open recalls. The previous owner did not register the car, so any recall notices may not have reached the
Heard a clicking noise behind the steering wheel for a few days then Iâll the sudden the horn stopped working and all the controls on the steering wheel stopped working. Iâm a mechanic so I took apart the clock spring stealing wheel compartment to find all of the wire broken and very very brittle. Cause for concern due to airbag malfunction and is no longer connected properly!!!Iâve been hearing a clicking noise behind the steering wheel for a few days. Then, suddenly, the horn stopped working, and all the controls on the steering wheel stopped working as well. Since Iâm a mechanic, I disassembled the clock spring and the steering wheel compartment to find that all the wires were bro
The contact owns a 2013 BMW 535I. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the engine was overheating. Additionally, the contact noticed an abnormal burning odor while driving, with smoke coming from underneath the hood while at a complete stop. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
After the replacement of all 02 sensors and fuses, the fault code returns and was traced back to the integrated supply module/IVm
2013 BMW 535i questions
Does the 2013 BMW 535i have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 2013 BMW 535i: Rear reflectors may not reflect enough light, raising crash risk. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 BMW 535i?
Based on 39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (13), Engine (10), Exterior Lighting (8).
How do I check if a recall on my 2013 BMW 535i has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.