- The problem
- Brake light switch could overheat, eventually leading to melting of plastic internal parts in area of electrical contacts.
- The risk
- Consequence of defect: switch plunger could jam, rendering brake lights either inoperative or continuously illiminated, regardless of brake pedal operation.
- The fix
- Replace brake light switch with revised switch with increased electrical load capacity.
Vehicle safety record
1986 BMW 535 Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1986 BMW 535 have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in November 1986 for the switch.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical 535 year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1986 BMW 535 recalls 1
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
What owners say
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No complaints about the 1986 BMW 535 yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
BMW 535: every year compared
All 535 years1986 BMW 535 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 BMW 535 | 0 | 1 | C | |
| 1986 BMW 325 | 9 | 3 | F | Compare |
| 1986 BMW 325E | 2 | 0 | - | Compare |
| 1986 BMW 535I | 1 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 1986 BMW 735 | 1 | 1 | C | Compare |
| 1986 BMW 528 | 1 | 1 | B | Compare |
| 1986 BMW 3 Series | 1 | 0 | A | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1986 BMW 535
Does the 1986 BMW 535 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 1986 BMW 535: switch (November 1986). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 1986 BMW 535 had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1986 BMW 535 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 50 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical BMW 535 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which BMW 535 years have the most complaints?
1989 (7), 1990 (4), 1987 (3). See every BMW 535 year compared.
What should I do if my 1986 BMW 535 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data