2014 BMW 535i reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 30 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 BMW 535i over 13 years — 3 per year. That is more complaints per year than most 535i years here — over the median of the other years, which is 0. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Inflator and Exterior lighting.

2012 BMW 535i — Photo by Alexander Migl, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0

Complaints

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (10 of 30), then Electrical system (8) and Structure (4). Those filings include 5 that report a crash and 2 that report an injury.

Next to 2013 and 2015

The 2013 535i has 38 complaints, 4 per year, and the 2015 has 23 complaints, 0 per year. The 2014 has fewer complaints per year than the 2013. The 2014 has more complaints per year than the 2015.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2014 BMW 535i. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (2)

Recall air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator 2024-07-11 · NHTSA campaign 24V527000

Summary 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.

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.

Recall Exterior lighting 2015-03-31 · NHTSA campaign 15V188000

Summary BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, and ActiveHybrid 5 vehicles. The rear reflex reflectors may not reflect enough light. As such, the vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear reflex reflectors, free of charge. The recall began July 28, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Complaints by component (30 total)

Engine

Electrical system

Structure

Exterior lighting

Service brakes

Tires

Visibility and wipers

Adaptive and mobility equipment

Air bags

Electronic stability control (ESC)

Engine and engine cooling

Fuel and propulsion system

Powertrain

Speed control

Steering

Suspension

Visibility

Wheels

Show 10 more Show less

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"This is a known and unaddressed issue. BMW headlight seals fail allowing condensation to build and erode electronics. Replacement costs exceed $15K and only OEM parts and BMW servicing are options. Many BMW repair shops…"
Electrical system, Exterior lighting · filed 2026-03-02
"The BMW, while turning at low speed into a parking space, suddenly accelerated and the braking system failed. Airbags deployed after multiple impacts with other vehicles and a fixed object, causing serious personal…"
Speed control, Service brakes, Engine · filed 2026-01-21
"The contact owns a 2014 BMW 535i. The contact stated that while driving in stop-and-go traffic, she depressed the brake pedal, however crashed into the rear of the vehicle in front of her. The contact stated that all…"
Air bags · filed 2026-01-12
"2014 BMW 535i Oil housing filter started leaking oil into serpentine belt causing the belt to shred and snap then was sucked into the crankshaft causing the motor to seize. Car was towed to bmw dealership and was…"
Engine · filed 2025-03-09
"The contact owns a 2014 BMW 535I. The contact stated that the engine cooling fan was running at abnormal high speed upon starting the vehicle and while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that the failure…"
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system · filed 2024-11-27

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2014 BMW 535 I 4 DR RWD	5 stars	4 stars	5 stars	5 stars
2014 BMW 535 I GT 4 DR RWD	5 stars	4 stars	5 stars	5 stars
2014 BMW 535 I Xdrive 4 DR AWD	5 stars	4 stars	5 stars	5 stars
2014 BMW 535 I Xdrive GT 4 DR AWD	5 stars	4 stars	5 stars	5 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
535i	3L, 6-cyl	Automatic (8-speed)	Rear-wheel drive	20	30	23 MPG	$3450
535i	3L, 6-cyl	Manual 6-speed	Rear-wheel drive	20	29	23 MPG	$3450
535i Gran Turismo	3L, 6-cyl	Automatic (8-speed)	Rear-wheel drive	19	27	22 MPG	$3650
535i xDrive	3L, 6-cyl	Automatic (8-speed)	All-wheel drive	20	29	23 MPG	$3450
535i xDrive Gran Turismo	3L, 6-cyl	Automatic (8-speed)	All-wheel drive	18	26	21 MPG	$3800

Specs and fitment

F10 5 Series, 2012–2017

Body styles Sedan, Gran Turismo

Oil BMW 0W-30 (N55; verify under-hood label / LL-01 FE) , 6.9 qt capacity

Tire size 245/45R18, 245/40R19 (front); staggered packages may use 275/35R19 rear front / 245/45R18, 245/40R19, 275/35R19 (trim/package dependent) rear

Known issues for this generation

Recall 15V-188 covers certain 2013 535i and 535i xDrive vehicles (and other 5 Series models): the rear reflex reflectors may not meet reflectivity requirements. Recall 24V-527 covers certain 2014 5 Series sedans and Gran Turismo models among other BMWs for a driver's frontal air-bag inflator module concern. Recall 16V-914 covers certain 2017 535i and 535i xDrive vehicles (and other BMW models) where the front passenger air bag may not deploy as intended in a crash. Dealers update related software or replace affected components per the campaign remedy.

Compare

Previous year 2013 BMW 535i Next year 2015 BMW 535i See every BMW 535i model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 BMW 535i reliable?

What are common problems with a 2014 BMW 535i?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (10 of 30), then Electrical system (8) and Structure (4). Those filings include 5 that report a crash and 2 that report an injury.

Is the 2014 BMW 535i more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2013 535i has 38 complaints, 4 per year, and the 2015 has 23 complaints, 0 per year. The 2014 has fewer complaints per year than the 2013. The 2014 has more complaints per year than the 2015.

Has the 2014 BMW 535i been recalled?

The 2014 BMW 535i has 2 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2014 BMW 535i?

Owners have filed 30 complaints about the 2014 BMW 535i with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2014 BMW 535i get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2014 BMW 535i is 22.4 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a BMW 535i (F10) take?

BMW 0W-30 (N55) is listed here; verify the under-hood label and LL-01 FE approval for your production date.

What does recall 24V-527 cover involving the 535i era?

Certain 2014 5 Series sedans and Gran Turismo models among other BMWs for a driver’s frontal air-bag inflator concern — confirm open campaigns by VIN.

What years does the F10 535i cover on this site?

2012-2017.