2016 BMW 535I: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2016 BMW 535I: 2 recalls, 12 owner complaints and up to 23 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (7): the most common themes are warning light on (2).
- Other / unknown (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Seat belts (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Tires (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2016 BMW 535I has 12 owner complaints, ranking #9 of 16 535I model years for complaints (well below the 30 average). Complaints peaked in 2024 (6 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 8 years old, at a median of 36,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2015 (23 complaints, 0 recalls), 2017 (0 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 30 | 23 | Premium |
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 535I.
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.
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FAQ
Does the 2016 BMW 535I have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2016 BMW 535I. 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 535I problems?
Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (7), other / unknown (2), seat belts (2).
What gas mileage does the 2016 BMW 535I get?
EPA ratings run up to 23 mpg combined (3.0 L, Automatic (S8)), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2016 BMW 535I 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.