Valve Stem Replacement with Wheel Electronics. INFORMATION The valve stems are single-use only, and must be replaced every time the wheel electronics are replaced. If you loosen the nut (1), you must replace the valve stem. Failure to replace the valve stem will lead to a pressure leak. The proper repair procedure can be found in REP 3611533. Not applicable. [ Copyright (c)2015 BMW of North America, Inc. ] Page 1 of 3 Page 1 of 1 https://www.bmwtis.net/tiscode/cgi-bin/bulletin.aspx?sie_path=/tsb/bulletins/htm_store/232...6/4/2015 https://www.bmwtis.net/tiscode/cgi-bin/bulletin.aspx?sie_path=/tsb/bulletins/htm_store/232...6/4/2015 Page 1 of 3 https://www.bmwtis.net/tiscode/cgi-bin/bulletin.as
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 BMW 535i tires problems
moderate 30 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $150 · see tires across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
30
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$150
When does it fail?
Of the 30 tires complaints filed for the 2011 BMW 535i, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 30 tires complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA tires complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 14 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering tires on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
RDC: Incorrect Tire Position Displayed with Air Pressure Drop. When there is a low tire pressure warning, in some cases the position of the affected tire may be incorrectly displayed in the instrument cluster and CD (Control Display). Software error in the RDC (tire pressure control) module in conjunction with wheel electronics part number 4 078 787 or 4 079 152.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) Functional Changes. INFORMATION There has been a disruption in the production and supply chain of certain electronic components. These events have influenced global manufacturing facilities, including the automotive sector. In order to fulfill customer demand and maintain production schedules, BMW has made a change to the Tire Pressure Monitor System of certain vehicles. https://www.bmwtis.net/tiscode/cgi-bin/bulletin.aspx?sie_path=/tsb/bulletins/htm_store/16234.2.B360211.... 6/8/2014 Page 2 of 2 Although the basic system operation and function remain the same, changes have been made to the vehicle's display elements when a low tire pressure condition occu
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2011 BMW 535i and 550i models report widespread sidewall bubbles and blisters on Goodyear run-flat tires, primarily the Eagle LS/LS2 and Excellence lines in 245/40R19 size. The failures appear early—many within the first 2,000–6,000 miles—sometimes after hitting minor potholes or during normal driving with no identifiable cause. Multiple owners describe bubbles forming despite conservative driving on smooth roads. In several cases, one tire replacement led to another bubble on the replacement tire, forcing repeated out-of-pocket replacements. Owners report individual failures range from one to ten tire replacements per vehicle within months or a few years. When damage occurs, tires lose air pressure and become unsafe to drive. Sidewall tears have been found on the interior layers beneath the outer surface. Replacement inventory has been severely constrained; owners report tires on months-long national backorder with no alternative run-flat approved for the car's configuration. BMW and Goodyear have provided inconsistent responses—some dealers replaced tires under warranty or tire-wheel packages, others refused coverage citing road hazards or wear and tear. Goodyear initially replaced tires under road hazard warranty, then changed policy mid-complaint period. Owners note the same tire models work without this failure pattern on other vehicle makes, and that Michelin, Dunlop, and other brands installed on similar BMWs show no equivalent issues.
Failure modes owners describe
Sidewall bubble/blister formation
Air bubbles or blisters develop on the outer sidewall of Goodyear run-flat tires, sometimes accompanied by visible bulging. Bubbles range from small to several inches long and can occur on one or multiple tires.
When: Highly variable—as early as 2,300 miles to 23,000+ miles; many within first 6,000 miles. Some triggered by pothole impact; many with no identifiable cause.
Symptoms owners cite: Visible air bubbles or bulges on sidewall; Bulging or ballooning of sidewall area; Bubbles 2–4 inches in length reported; Bubbles on outside or outside/inside sidewalls
Repairs/costs cited: Tire replacement required. Owners report replacement costs $300–$500+ per tire. Multiple owners replaced same tire 2–3 times. Some repairs covered under road hazard warranty early in complaint period; Goodyear later changed policy to exclude coverage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Goodyear initially replaced tires under road hazard warranty; later stopped covering claims citing policy change. Goodyear willing to replace with different brand when tires on backorder. BMW dealers provided inconsistent responses—some covered under tire/wheel package warranty, others refused or blamed road hazards/wear and tear. Tires remained on national backorder for weeks to months, limiting replacement availability.
Sidewall tear (interior layers)
Tears or damage found in interior sidewall layers, sometimes without visible outer surface damage. Found during dealer inspection after pothole impact or bubble formation.
When: Typically triggered by pothole impact but interior damage may precede external symptoms.
Symptoms owners cite: 3–4 inch internal tear in sidewall layers; Visible bubble or bulge on exterior correlating with interior tear; Tire maintains pressure despite internal damage (when outer layer intact)
Repairs/costs cited: Tire replacement required. Damage detected by Goodyear mechanic inspection during road hazard claim evaluation.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Road hazard warranty initially covered; policy later changed.
Premature air loss / flat tire
Tires lose air pressure rapidly or go flat following bubble/blister formation or minor impact, sometimes losing all pressure within hours.
When: Following bubble appearance or minor pothole strike (some reported at 5 mph impact).
Symptoms owners cite: Tire pressure loss after bubble formation; Complete air loss / flat tire; No spare tire available (run-flat design); Vehicle drivable at low speed on deflated run-flat
Repairs/costs cited: Immediate tire replacement required. Vehicle is drivable at reduced speed on run-flat technology, but unsafe to continue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Replacement under warranty or road hazard coverage, subject to policy terms at time of claim.
Synthesized from 30 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
My 2011 BMW 550ix has goodyear eagle ls 2 run flats, 245/40. I took delivery of the car in july 2011 and had bubbles on the left front tire in less than a month period. I just noticed that I am not the only one with such problem and want to take my part in reporting this bubble problem with this run flat tires. *tr
I took my 2011, 5351 BMW in for it's first service and was told by the service department that the 2 front tires (goodyear excellence runonflat) had bubbles or bulges in the side walls and that they should be replaced. I saw on line that others had a similar problems so I contacted the BMW service again and was told to contact goodyear. I went to a local goodyear dealer who called goodyear and I…
Had tires trouble with your 2011 BMW 535i?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the tires problem on the 2011 BMW 535i?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 30 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $150 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the tires typically fail?
Across the 25 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most tires failures cluster between 2,000 and 11,000 miles, with the median around 6,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 2,000; a quarter make it past 11,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $150 for tires repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to tires?
No active recalls currently cover tires issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/BMW/535i.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.