2016 BMW 535D: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2016 BMW 535D: 5 recalls, 9 owner complaints and up to 30 mpg combined.
Recalls
5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Child seat, Seats Vehicle recall #15V718000 · 2015 · 7,162 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #16V914000 · 2016 · 3,506 vehicles
What's wrong: The affected vehicles have seat- mounted side air bag inflator initiators that May fail to ignite during a crash.
Why it matters: If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2017.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #18V755000 · 2018 · 44,368 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: The melting intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: 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.
Fuel system (diesel) Vehicle recall #21V586000 · 2021 · 11,216 vehicles
What's wrong: The high-pressure fuel pump May fail.
Why it matters: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the high-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 14, 2022.
Fuel system (diesel) Vehicle recall #21V907000 · 2021 · 50,404 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A melting intake manifold increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: 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…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (4): the most common themes are leaks (3), fire / smoke (3), warning light on (2).
- Fuel system (diesel) (3): the most common themes are warning light on (2).
- Tires (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Other / unknown (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2016 BMW 535D has 9 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 3 535D model years for complaints (well below the 24 average). Complaints peaked in 2022 (3 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 65,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2015 (6 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 26 | 38 | 30 | Diesel |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2016 BMW 535D.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2016 BMW 535D have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 2016 BMW 535D. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2016 BMW 535D problems?
Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (4), fuel system (diesel) (3), tires (1).
What gas mileage does the 2016 BMW 535D get?
EPA ratings run up to 30 mpg combined (3.0 L, Automatic (S8)), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2016 BMW 535D repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.