Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 BMW 535i owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My car suddenly shut off when I came to a stop at a red light while on a busy state route. The information cluster then began to read "Fuel supply" and "Battery Discharge" My car would not turn back on and still has not turned back on since and it's been over a month now. According to the OBD results, the fuel pump and injectors were somehow seized and therefore have caused the car to become inoperable. I was forced to spend over $1000 just to get my car out of the police tow yard and towed to my home because I could not afford the cost of the repairs needed. The NHSTA website states that there is a recall on both the fuel system and the electrical system for my exact vehicle, but according to my Vin search results, there are 0 recalls. That doesn't make sense. I had just got my new inspection done maybe a month prior to my car breaking down.
Been fixing an unknown issue due to fuel presure, loss of engine power and car gets extra hot but doesn't over heat, I have fixed the issue more on 2 different occasions. I didn't pass the smog text so that's when I was told to check for any recalls, now the issues returned with same problems and probably won't pass smog again. I have all recorded from all the years of maintenance and I'm very diligent on on time maintenance or if theirs is any kind of malfunction. I'm now addressing the situation to you as I believe that there's something wrong that's beyond my control. I've also encountered other people with same vehicle with similar issues.
while driving on the highway the car turned off suddenly. Car was towed to home after checking possible causes we found out the even the THE FUEL GAUGE IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS displaying a large amount of fuel ( 1/2 tank) actually it was empty . We did put 2 gallons of gasoline than car start up again but the fuel gauge still showing half of tank.
While driving on the highway my car turned off suddenly. car was towed to home After checking possible causes we found out that even the fuel gauge in the instruments cluster was displaying a large amount of fuel ( 1/2 tank) actually it was empty. We put two gallons of gasoline then car start up again but fuel gauge still showing half of tank
Drivetrain malfunction -driving on hwy when error was displayed and car shutdown in on me and would not start back up -dealership stated they replaced the fuel pump -issue happened again -while driving - under 3000 miles later - same error codes of low pressure - car hesitant to crank and studdering on low speeds- towed to dealer was told no issue found and they reprogrammed the fuel pump -same issue again - fuel line and sensor replaced -ran fine for another 1000 miles or so -while driving the car jerked really hard and gave the same drivetran malfunction error --was able to make it to the dealership however car would not drive at full speed- same codes seen stored -- BMW do not know whats causing the issue however replacing parts hoping it will fix the issue and charging me for their trial and error. …
My vehicle recently had the lo pressure fuel pump recall completed. I was hoping that it would correct the fuel related diagnostic trouble codes and the vehicle stalling and going into reduced power mode. However, this recall failed to correct these problems. I have now learned that my high pressure fuel pump is failing. My local BMW dealer informed me that this vehicle does not qualify for the extended free replacement of the high pressure fuel pump based on the VIN even thoe it is the same n54 engine that other BMW vehicles have that is covered under the recall. Symptoms, while driving my vehicle on slight acceleration I get a warning on the dash that states "reduced power mode" at that point the check engine light comes on and I loose power in the vehicle. At times the vehicle will shut completely down while driving. …
My car stalled while driving around 50 MPH on a 4-lane highway on 13 May 2016. It stopped in the middle of the road blocking traffic. I was able to back the car off the road (into oncoming traffic) with much difficulty because all systems were shut down. I called aaa and waited. The car started after I waited about 20 minutes and I cancelled the aaa tow. This happened several times before, the last time was when I had about 70,000 miles on the car. The car was recalled, I took it to the dealer and it did not happen again until last week. I now have 135,000 miles on the car. This is a very dangerous issue. I had to authorize the prescribed repair. This seems to be recurring defect that BMW should repair in all of these cars. Dealer tells be that it is a fuel pump and filter problem. This is not what was repaired at 70,000 miles.
My vehicle cut off while driving drive train/ drive shaft message came on which made my engine light come on shuddering with heavy shaking making weird noises which are the systems of a defected drive shaft same symptoms that apply to recall 17V067000 very scary my vehicle was just at BMW dealership for a recall due to an aggressive fuel leak...,I asked about the recall for the drive train I was advised yes it's a recall but not for my vehicle which is a 2011 535i at the top of the recall list this is very dangerous and the 2nd time this car have put my life in danger how can you have a recall on the 2011 535i and then say not my specific vehicle BMW is the worst I will never purchase another BMW I cannot believe it these parts cannot be from wear and tear this starts from production of vehicle
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 BMW 535i. While the vehicle was at a traffic light, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer located on 43 north ave, bridgeport, ct 06606, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V746000 (fuel system, gasoline); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Vehicle has stopped running multiple times. Most times it has stalled out while idling after a long drive and has been put in park. One time it just stop running while I was driving and I was in the middle of and intersection with traffic turning right. Another time I had a st udder while turning left which I looked down and got in a accident. BMW has told me this is the battery, low pressure fuel pump and the high pressure fuel pump which have all been replace; however I am still having the same problem.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 BMW X5 3.0si, X5 4.8i, X5 M, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i and X5 xDrive50i, 2008-2011 X6 x Drive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 535i xDrive Gran Turismo, 535i Gran Turismo, 550i xDrive Gran Turismo and 550i Gran Turismo,…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Fuel System complaints in other 535i years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2011 BMW 535i?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2011 BMW 535i, 31% of the model year's 112 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 BMW 535i fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-746 (fuel pump, Oct 17, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2011 BMW 535i fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
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.