repaired · 2018 Q2
Air bags
Risk. If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
2016 BMW 535iProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 12 owner complaints about the 2016 BMW 535i, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 2 safety recalls, and for recall 15V-718 the manufacturer reports only 83% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 26, 2024. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2016 BMW 535i has problems
12 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
7Air bags
2Seat belts
1Engine and engine cooling
1Tires
1Visibility/wiper
1Forward collision avoidance
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 7 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 1 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
2016 BMW 535i recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2017 Q1
Child seat
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.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with BMW.
Best & worst years
2016 vs. every other 535i year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 535i median. How we score
'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2016 BMW 535i, and the recalls they led to.
- Pedestrian alert soundsLed to recall 22V-063
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
In owners' words
What 535i owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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.
The driver's side supplemental restraint warning light has come on and stays on. I have an appointment with my service center.
TAKATA RECALL. I HAVE RECEIVED A NOTICE ON 7/31/2017 OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT REGARDING MY VEHICLE AND TAKATA AIR BAGS.; HOWEVER BMW HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL TO FIX THE AIR BAG PROBLEM. IS BMW OBLIGATED TO FIX THE AIR BAG PROBLEM REGARDLESS IF I JOIN THE SUIT OR NOT?
Own a 2016 535i?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.