Fuel System complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I bought a 2011 BMW 535i 3 weeks ago. Upon driving on local streets, the car stopped abruptly from 30mph to 0mph. My car has under 2000 miles on it. Stuck in the middle of an intersection, with "fuel pump malfunction", and "engine malfunction" on the onboard dash. I hit my head on the steering wheel when this occurred. I was also carrying a 5 gallon square container of water that was capped and sealed in the trunk. During the abrupt stop of the car, about 1/2 a gallon of water spilled into the trunk. After being towed to shelly BMW and talking to them the next day, they said it was my fault and that the water shorted out the components in the trunk. #1. The water spilled into the trunk after the car abruptly stopped. #2. I was almost rear-ended by the cars behind me when the car went from 30mph to 0mph. …
The first time it happened, my wife drove our 2011 BMW 535i to work and the fuel gauge was reading half tank. It's only approx. 20 miles to work round trip to our house but when she came back home the fuel gauge was almost empty and flashing warning light fuel refill is showing. I drove the car for the past few days and I noticed that the fuel gauge indicator seemed to be staying all the time at half tank reading. I drove it this morning to our family physician and to the mall and I still noticed the fuel gauge indicator is not moving and was reading half tank. When I went to the local grocery store to buy bottled water, I decided to leave the car idle and the engine on. When I drove it again, that's when I noticed the fuel gauge needle moved slowly but steadily from half tank reading to almost 1/4 tank. …
On September 10, 2016 I purchased this car and I have been experiencing stalling and jerking violently and I was told it was bad gas from dealership I purchased it from. I went to BMW in October 2015 I was told it was fuel injectors I was told no recall on the car at that time. In March 2016 the car stopped on me and my visually impaired grandson without warning on the freeway. I took the car to conrad and was told it was the fuel pump so I took the car to different BMW service center now I am told it the fuel pump but not the one under warranty. Both service centers refuse to replace fuel pump that is under extended warranty which is the prime problem. I told them the fuel pump is under extended warranty. They name other stuff instead of replacing the problem the car is a safety hazard. BMW is not sticking to keeping their cars safe. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 BMW 5 Series. While driving 75 MPH, the vehicle's power seized and the high pressure fuel pump warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 59,500. The VIN was not available. Updated 01/05/2017 updated 01/23/17.
My vehicle had a faulty PCV valve that was under "Stop Drive," order. I received no correspondence from the NHTSA nor from BMW of North America in regards to this. My BMW X-5 had significant issues that are directly associated with this issue. After contacting BMW of North America directly because I could not reach anyone at my nearest BMW Service Department, it was escalated twice to attempt to arrange for my vehicle that I unknowingly continued to drive. My vehicle has sat undriven since May of 2024. It was finally picked up, towed to the dealership for repairs related to the PCV recall. The PCV valve was replaced and my vehicle was returned to me in undriveable condition. None of the rough idle, burning smell or engine issues were attended to. They simply replaced the valve without further investigation into the damage done by continued driving of a "Stop Drive," order. …
Tl contact owns a 2008 BMW 535xi (na). While driving approximately 35 MPH, the engine began smoking. The dealer made three attempts to diagnose the failure. The high pressure fuel pump was replaced but it cracked again. The vehicle was being repaired by the dealer. The manufacturer had not been notified. The current mileage was 30,100. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000.
Related recalls (2)
Fuel system, other › Storage › Fuel gauge system
BMW is recalling certain 2010 and 2011 5-series and 5-series gran turismo passenger vehicles manufactured from January 12 through July 1, 2010. The vehicle's fuel level sensor within the fuel tank can become wedged against the tank.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on October 18, 2010. Owners May contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.
Fuel system, gasoline
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 8-cylinder engines, a circular retention clip at the quick-release coupling along the fuel supply line was inadvertently not installed.
Remedy: Dealers will install a circular retention clip at the quick-release coupling along the fuel supply line. The recall began on July 5, 2004. Owners should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.
Frequently asked questions
Which BMW 5 Series years have fuel system problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2008 (48) and 2011 (5) model years. Fuel System complaints make up 46% of all complaints for the 2008.
Is there a recall for BMW 5 Series fuel system problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 10V-331 (fuel gauge system, Jul 22, 2010); 04V-303 (fuel system, gasoline, Jun 23, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do BMW 5 Series fuel system problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 27,000 miles; 84% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the delivery › fuel pump (4 mentions), followed by the storage › fuel gauge system (1).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.