RecallMyCar

1991 BMW 535I Recalls, Complaints & Specs

3 safety recalls list the 1991 BMW 535I, and owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

3
safety recalls
5
owner complaints to NHTSA

3 safety recalls for the 1991 BMW 535I

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Cooling system (engine and engine cooling)

    NHTSA 98V178000 Reported 340,000 vehicles potentially affected BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A malfunction or failure of a coolant system component, such as a thermostat, water pump, or fan belt, can result in significantly increased coolant temperature and system pressure. If the indications of a critical overheating condition is not noticed by the driver, it is possible that damage to,…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a new design radiator cap to control pressure and provide greater coolant overflow in the event of overheating.

  2. Air bags: frontal

    NHTSA 96V110000 Reported 75,000 vehicles potentially affected BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

    The air bag contact ring locking tab located in the steering wheel assembly can break without warning.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the locking tab with one of a different design.

  3. Switch (exterior lighting)

    NHTSA 96V111000 Reported 180,000 vehicles potentially affected BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

    The brake light switch can fail allowing the switch to remain in the "brake lights off" position or in the "brake lights on" position.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the existing brake light switch with a newly designed switch.

5 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1991 BMW 535I have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA. Complaints peaked in 2000 with 3 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“Consumer had replaced most of engine cooling system parts. Each time that takes vehicle to dealer they will replace a part, and presently, vehicle needs to be fixed again.*ak”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 22, 2001 · Engine and engine cooling

“Faulty ignition switch caused the starter to burn up, resulting in the vehicle loosing all power while driving on the highway. Nlm”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 16, 2000 · Electrical system

Compare BMW 535I model years

Recall and complaint counts for every BMW 535I model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1986 BMW 535I01
1988 BMW 535I01
1989 BMW 535I16
1990 BMW 535I22
1991 BMW 535I35
1992 BMW 535I33
1993 BMW 535I10
1994 BMW 535I12
1995 BMW 535I10
2008 BMW 535I174
2009 BMW 535I171
2010 BMW 535I158
2011 BMW 535I4112
2012 BMW 535I154
2013 BMW 535I138
2014 BMW 535I230
2015 BMW 535I023
2016 BMW 535I212
2017 BMW 535I10

Checking a specific 1991 BMW 535I

How do I know if my 1991 BMW 535I has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 3 campaigns currently list the 1991 BMW 535I; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised BMW dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 96V110000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other BMW models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.