Model year record

2009 BMW 535I

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 101 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 13V407000

Exterior lighting: tail lights

Component: Exterior lighting: tail lights
Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
Vehicles affected: 134,100
Reported to NHTSA: 2013-09-11
Owners notified: 2014-01-02

Defect description

BMW is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 528i, 535i, 550i, and M5 passenger cars manufactured from March 1, 2007, through December 31, 2009. Over time, increased resistance at the taillight electrical contact points may cause damage to the ground terminal and housing of the connector resulting in an intermittent or permanent loss of functionality of one or more rear lamp functions (tail, brake, turn-signal, reverse).

Safety risk

Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear lamp bulb carriers free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Fuel/propulsion system	24	98,000 mi
Engine	21	73,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	13	15,000 mi
Power train	7	110,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	5	18,500 mi
Air bags	4	115,600 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump	4	70,000 mi
Electrical system	2	84,826 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)	2	127,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	2	1,000 mi
Exterior lighting	2	68,000 mi
Seat belts	2	—
Steering	2	128,000 mi
Suspension	2	40 mi
Tires	2	177,259 mi
Unknown or other	2	40 mi
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger	1	—
Equipment	1	—
Equipment adaptive/mobility	1	—
Fuel system, other	1	10,400 mi
Service brakes	1	84,826 mi

The 2008 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2010 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.