FaultScore

2008 BMW 5 Series fuel system problems

47 of the 131 complaints about the 2008 BMW 5 Series are about the fuel system — 36% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 22,000 miles.

D

47

Complaints

0

Crashes

1

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Fuel System, Gasoline 37 78.7%
Fuel System, Other 5 10.6%
Fuel Pump 3 6.4%
Fuel/Propulsion System 2 4.3%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Panama City, FL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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. BMW of North America is placing blame solely on the NHTSA for not sending me correspondence relative to this recall. My vehicle was identified as having the faulty Takata airbags and I received all of the documents sent by both the NHTSA and BMW USA. I now have a undriveable, unsafe vehicle due to the servicer simply replacing a recalled object but not the damage caused by continuing to drive a vehicle that should have had immediate service. Please advise what steps should be taken. Tara Catalano-Smith

NHTSA complaint #11697553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 76,000 miles Fanwood, NJ

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

ALL 6 FUEL INJECTORS FAILED. CAR LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS.

NHTSA complaint #10644962 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 28,700 miles Sewell, NJ

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THREE WKS AGO MY 08 528I WAS MAKING A RATTLING SOUND IN THE ENGINE, TIN-CAN SOUNDING. TOOK THE CAR FOR SERVICE & THEY REPLACED MY LIFTERS AND RELATED PARTS. THEY SAID THAT THE LIFTERS ARE "KNOWN" FOR GOING BAD ON THE 5 SERIES AND IT'S TYPICALLY DUE TO SEASONAL CHANGES. WHEN MY HUSBAND BROUGHT THE CAR HOME TO ME I WAS VERY UPSET BECAUSE THE NOISE WAS STILL THERE, NOT AS LOUD AS BEFORE. I CALLED BMW AND MADE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT, CITING THAT THIS PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED AND IT NEEDED TO BE LOOKED AT AGAIN. THE APPOINTMENT WITH A LOANER COULD NOT BE SCHEDULED FOR ANOTHER 10 DAYS, SO WE WAITED. DURING THOSE 10 DAYS THE VEHICLE STARTED TO TAKE LONGER TO TURNOVER AT START UP. I WOULD ALSO FEEL THE ENGINE LIGHTLY SHUTTERING AS I DROVE AT SPEEDS AVERAGING 35-50 MILES PER HOUR. MONDAY 05/23/11 WAS MY REQUESTED APPOINTMENT; HOWEVER BECAUSE MY 15 MO. OLD BABY WAS ILL WE HAD TO CANCEL. THANK GOODNESS WE DID BECAUSE MY CAR WOULD NOT HAVE MADE IT THE 20 MILES OF FREEWAY TO THE DEALERSHIP. TODAY, 05/25/11, I MADE A LEFT OUT OF MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND AS I ACCELERATED APPROX. 50 YARDS, MY ENGINE BUCKED (FELT LIKE THE BOTTOM FELL OUT), I LOST SPEED DRAMATICALLY. SUDDENLY, STEERING BECAME NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE AND I WAS FORCED TO "TURN" INTO A SMALL SHOPPING CENTER. HOWEVER, I LOST ABILITY TO STEER UPON ENTERING THE PARKING LOT. MY CAR WOULD RESPOND TO NOTHING BUT THE BRAKES (THANK GOD THOSE ATLEAST WORKED). I LOOKED DOWN AT MY GEAR SHIFT TO ATTEMPT TO REVERSE AWAY FROM THE CURB AND MANEUVER INTO A PARKING SPACE, THOUGH MY CAR WAS THROWN INTO NEUTRAL & WOULD NOT RESPOND TO ANYTHING BUT "PARK". I ATTEMPTED TO STARTUP AGAIN BUT ENGINE WOULDN'T TURN OVER. IT WAS DEAD. WITHIN MOMENTS MY ABS, CHECK ENG, AND BATTERY LIGHTS ILLUMINATED & CORRESPONDING MSGS CAME ONTO MY COMMUNICATION SCREEN. CAR WAS TOWED. AWAITING DEALERSHIP RESPONSE IN THE AM. AFTER SEEING PRIOR COMPLAINTS, I SEE SOMEONE NEEDS TO BE FIRED. THE US GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO STEP IN BEFORE PEOPLE DIE! THANK GOD MY BABY WASN'T WITH ME!

NHTSA complaint #10402778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 8,900 miles Henderson, NV

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 528I 5 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH AND COMING TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND IT AUTOMATICALLY SLOWED DOWN THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO HESITATE AND ACCELERATE, BEFORE THE CONTACT REACHED HIS DESTINATION. THE DEALER TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THEY WOULD CONTACT THE DEALER REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,900. UPDATED 07/08/11 *BF THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE FUEL PUMP WAS CLOGGED FOR THE SECOND TIME, WHICH WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE HESITATE WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. UPDATED 10/12/11

NHTSA complaint #10401444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 21,088 miles Franklin, TN

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

ENGINE MALFUNCTION! REDUCED POWER WAS THE MESSAGE I RECEIVED ON MY DASH DISPLAY. I TOOK PHOTOS OF THE DISPLAYED MESSAGE. CAR WENT FROM 65 MPH DOWN TO 18 MPH IN A MATTER OF SECONDS IN THE FAR LEFT LANE OF THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. HAD TO CHUG AND LURCH OVER THREE LANES OF SPEEDING TRAFFIC TO GET TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. I'VE ALREADY HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED BY BMW RECALL (A RECALL THAT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED BY BMW THAT THE RECALL EXISTED). APPARENTLY THE FUEL PUMP RECALL WAS NOT ALL OF THE PROBLEM AS THIS SAME ENGINE MALFUNCTION STILL OCCURS AND THE CAR STILL BEHAVES THE SAME AS BEFORE THE FUEL PUMP RECALL. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER THE VERY NEXT DAY. HE CLEARED A CODE IN MY ONBOARD COMPUTER AND DID NOTHING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM WITH MY BMW 535XI WAGON IS GOING TO GET SOMEONE IN MY FAMILY KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED. I'VE READ MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ONLINE FROM BLOGGERS REGARDING THIS SAME PROBLEM. WHY IS BMW NOT FIXING THE PROBLEM. AT THE TIME THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED THE DEALER ALSO REPROGRAMMED MY CAR'S ONBOARD COMPUTER AND CHECKED THE FUEL IN THE TANK WHICH, ACCORDING TO THE DEALER APPEARED TO BE FINE.

NHTSA complaint #10395640 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 12,925 miles Montclair, NJ

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

MY BMW 535XI STARTED HAVING FUEL PUMP ISSUES STARTING AROUND 14 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, AT 12,000 MILES. THE FIRST TIME IT WENT INTO SAFETY MODE, CASING IT TO SLOW DOWN TO A SNAILS PACE. A NEW FUEL PUMP WAS INSTALLED. THE SECOND TIME IT WOULD NOT START IN A PARKING LOT AFTER TURNING IT OFF FOR 10 MINUTES AFTER A 20 MINUTE DRIVE. I CALLED ROAD SIDE ASSIST AND THEY SENT A TECHNICIAN WHO WAS ABLE TO GET IT STARTED. HE TOLD ME TO TAKE TO THE DEALER BUT IT SHOULD BE FINE TO DRIVE HOME. I LEFT THE LOT AND WITHIN 3 MINUTES IT COMPLETELY SEIZED AND LOST ALL POWER WHILE ACCELERATING IN THE LEFT LANE. MY 11 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND I WERE IN THE CAR. I AM THANKFUL WE SURVIVED. I CALLED THE TECHNICIAN BACK AND HE CONVINCED ME TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH HIM FOLLOWING TO THE DEALER (APPROX 3 MILES). WHEN I COMPLAINED TO BMW THEY DID NOT SHOWED NO CONCERN THAT WE WERE PUT IN HARMS WAY. IN THIS INSTANCE THE FUEL TEMPERATURE SENSOR/PRESSURE SENSOR HAD A PERMANENT FAILURE. AT 19,000 MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND I TOOK IT IN TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY SUSPECTED THE FUEL PUMP BUT COULD NOT REPLICATE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, SO CORPORATE WOULD NOT ALLOW REPLACEMENT. AGAIN AT 20,370 MILE, CHECK ENGINE PLUS "COLD START NOT RUNNING ON ALL CYLINDERS" NO ACTION BECAUSE NOT TRIPPING CORPORATE SPECIFICATIONS. AT, 21,092, HIGH PRESSURE PUMP PERMANENT MALFUNCTION. ENGINE WAS FLOODED WITH FUEL. FIVE DAYS AND 100 MILES LATER, THE ENGINE FLOODED AGAIN. THIS TIME THE FUEL INJECTOR WAS LEAKING AND ALL THE SPARK PLUGS WERE SOAKED WITH GAS AND HALF WERE NOT WORKING. AT THAT TIME (NOV. 2010) I ASKED BMW TO TAKE THE CAR BACK. BMW AGREED TO A "TRADE ASSIST" THAT WILL COST US AN ADDITIONAL $33,000 TO BE GET A NEW CAR. WE DO NO UNDERSTAND HOW AFTER ALMOST KILLING US WE CANNOT GET OUT OF THIS CAR WITHOUT SPENDING MORE MONEY. WE REFUSE TO SELL OUR PROBLEM TO SOMEONE ELSE.

NHTSA complaint #10378205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 22,000 miles Willoughby, OH Fire

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL*THE 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.

NHTSA complaint #10368137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 35,000 miles Chino, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THE CAR SHOWED ENGINE MALFUNCTION SIGN WITHOUT WARNING IN MIDDLE OF BUSY STREET. ALL POWER, STEERING, EVERYTHING WENT DEAD WITHOUT WARNING. I COULDN'T MOVE THE WHATSOEVER. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN BEFORE THIS HAPPENED AND AVOID POTENTIAL ACCIDENTS.

NHTSA complaint #10366456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Madison, WI

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 535XI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER WITH AN EXTENSIVE REDUCTION IN POWER. THE CONTACT CONTINUED WITH CAUTION AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR, SPARK PLUGS AND PERFORMED AN OIL CHANGE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES IN WHICH THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE HIGH PRESSURE PUMP WAS REPLACED ON A DIFFERENT OCCASION. IN ADDITION, WHEN ENCOUNTERING A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND DOWN-SHIFTING FROM THIRD TO SECOND GEAR, AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE WOULD OCCUR. RECENTLY, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000. UPDATED 01/28/11 *BF UPDATED 02/07/11

NHTSA complaint #10365728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 18,000 miles Glendale, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

PURCHASED A 2008 BMW 535I IN JUNE 2008. VEHICLE HAS 30,000 MILES ON IT. ABOUT SIX MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, STARTED TO HAVE THE "ENGINE MALFUNCTION/REDUCED POWER" LIGHT COME ON ABOUT EVERY THREE MONTHS. TWO MONTHS AGO, THE SAME THING HAPPENED BUT THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AT A STOP LIGHT. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED AND THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. HAD THE VEHICLE BACK FOR APPROX TWO WEEKS AND SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. THEY REPLACE SOME FUEL INJECTORS AND SPARK PLUGS. HAD THE VEHICLE BACK APPROX 3 WEEKS. HAPPENED AGAIN. LUCKILY STILL NOT ON THE FREEWAY. DROVE THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALER. THEY REPLACED MORE FUEL INJECTORS. HAD THE VEHICLE BACK A WEEK AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF ON THE FREEWAY IN TRAFFIC IN LOS ANGELES GOING 65 MPH AND ALMOST WAS IN A MAJOR TRAFFICE ACCIDENT. CALLED THE DEALER TODAY (SATURDAY) AND THE SERVICE DEPT IS NOT IN ON WEEKENDS. SALES MANAGER SAID "TAKE THE VEHICLE SOMEWHERE ELSE" AND "IT WON'T AFFECT US IF SOMEONE IS KILLED OR INJURED AND A LAWSUIT IS FILED". AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT THIS POINT.

NHTSA complaint #10365584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 22,750 miles NEW Berlin, WI

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

I PURCHASED A CERTIFIED, PRE-OWNED 2008 BMW 535XI WITH APPROX. 22,000 MILES ON 10/23/10. SUBSEQUENT TO MY PURCHASE, I DISCOVERED THE HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP IN THE VEHICLE HAD EARLIER FAILED AND BEEN REPLACED. ON 10/28/10, JUST 5 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING - I WAS DRIVING ON A SURFACE STREET WHEN THE CAR BEGAN VIOLENTLY SHAKING AND ROCKING, THE ENGINE LOST SUBSTANTIAL POWER AND NEARLY STALLED, AND THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE ON 10/28/10 AND THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED 10/30/10. 3 OF 4 FUEL INJECTORS WERE REPLACED ALONG WITH ALL SPARKPLUGS. AT HIGH SPEEDS, THIS TYPE OF ENGINE MALFUNCTION WOULD POSE AN EXTREME SAFETY RISK IN MY OPINION. I HAVE CONTACTED BMW USA AND THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND I HAVE NOT BEEN SATISFIED WITH THE RESPONSE TO-DATE.

NHTSA complaint #10364250 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,800 miles Houston, TX

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2008 BMW 535I. ENGINE START-UP TAKES LONGER THAN NORMAL. THE ENGINE IDLES ROUGH AND HESITANT TO ACCELERATE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. BMW CLAIMS TO HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM UNDER A RECALL, BUT THE PROBLEM CAME BACK AGAIN 3 DAYS LATER.

NHTSA complaint #10362520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 27,042 miles Westport, CT

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

WHILE ACCELERATING, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND WENT INTO NEUTRAL. I WAS ABLE TO PUT IT BACK INTO DRIVE AND THE CAR VERY SLOWLY REGAINED MOMENTUM. A FEW MINUTES LATER, AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN TURNED OFF, I RESTARTED IT, PUT IT INTO REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING PLACE, PUT IT INTO DRIVE TO MOVE FORWARD, TRIED TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR WENT INTO NEUTRAL AGAIN AND WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD. I TRIED TO PUT IT INTO DRIVE AGAIN BUT WITH NO SUCCESS. THE CAR WAS DEAD AND MESSAGE FLASHED ON "REDUCED ENGINE POWER." FORTUNATELY I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND NOT ON A HIGHWAY. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE RMFD HIGH-PRESSURE PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED. BMW TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT THE WARRANTY ON THIS PART HAD BEEN EXTENDED TO 10 YEARS, 120,000 MILES. THE OLD PART IS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10355184 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 35,000 miles East Hampton, NY

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

2008 BMW 535I - CAR HAS HAD 3 FUEL PUMPS, 3 SEPARATE VISITS FOR PLUGS / INJECTORS, LAST VISIT FOR REPLACED FUEL PUMP CREATED LARGE FUEL LEAK IN CAR WHICH RESULTED IN TOW TO DEALER. ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT PROBLEM. HPFP, REPEATED ENGINE PROGRAM.

NHTSA complaint #10353821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 32,000 miles Chicago, IL

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

I HAD MY CAR IN FOR ROUTINE SERVICE TWO WEEKS AGO, AND I MENTIONED THAT THE CAR HAD BEEN SLOW TO START IN THE MORNING, AND IDLED ROUGHLY. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR WAS 'REPROGRAMMED" AND THAT SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THE ISSUE. YESTERDAY, WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE CAR LOST ACCELERATION, AND I HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE RIGHT, THROUGH 3 LANES OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WITH A CAR THAT BARELY ACCELERATED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER WHO SAID IT WAS A BAD SENSOR. THIS MORNING, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR WITH MY 3 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER AND THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. MY WIFE TRIED TO FIND A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER, BUT THE ENGINE DIED AT THE LIGHT. SHE STARTED THE CAR AGAIN, AND MADE IT HALFWAY INTO THE INTERSECTION, AND THE CAR DIED AGAIN. SHE WAS VERY WORRIED THAT SHE WAS GOING TO GET HIT WHILE STUCK IN THE INTERSECTION. FINALLY, AFTER A FEW MORE CYCLES OF STARTING THE CAR, GOING A FEW FEET, AND THE CAR DYING, SHE WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR INTO A PARKING LOT. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AGAIN, AND NOW THEY ARE CHANGING THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP.

NHTSA complaint #10349091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 28,300 miles Houston, TX

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

HAVE HAD 3 SEPARATE INSTANCES IN THE PAST 9 MONTHS WHERE MY CAR STALLED OR SPUTTERED WITH LOSS OF POWER , AND ONCE I HAD NO STEERING OR BRAKING ABILITY. DANGEROUS SITUATION IN FREEWAY TRAFFIC.

NHTSA complaint #10347519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 22,500 miles Silver Spring, MD

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

I HAVE A 2008 BMW 535 XI THAT HAS SHOWN THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER/ENGINE MALFUNCTION WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY TWICE. THE CAR REFUSED TO ACCELERATE AND BECAME VERY HARD TO MANEUVER. THANKFULLY, BOTH TIMES I WAS WITHIN A MILE OF THE HIGHWAY EXIT. I AM HESITANT TO DRIVE THIS CAR ON LONG TRAVELS BECAUSE A REDUCED ENGINE POWER MALFUNCTION COULD ENDANGER ME AND MY FAMILY. BMW ATTEMPTED TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS FIRST BY REPLACING THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND THEN BY REPLACING ALL OF THE FUEL INJECTORS. THUS FAR THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN BETTER BUT I AM STILL LEERY OF THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10346510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 34,000 miles Budd Lake, NJ

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

ON 5/20/10, MY 2008 BMW 535XI SUDDENLY LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING ON A SINGLE LANE, RESULTING IN A NEAR REAR-END COLLISION. THIS HAPPENED ONCE PREVIOUSLY. BOTH TIMES THE CAR WAS TOWED AND THE DEALER SAID THEY REPLACED THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE LATEST INCIDENCE TO BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES DEPARTMENT, CASE # [XXX] ???. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10345570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,000 miles Oakland, MI

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

WE WERE DRIVING ON A 55 MPH SPEED LIMIT ROAD. WE WERE GOING UP A SLOPE, OUR CAR ( BMW 5 SERIES) SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND WE WERE UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR BEYOND 30 MPH. WE HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER CONTACTING BMW, THEY INFORMED US THAT THEY CAN NOT TAKE IT TO THE DEALER AS ALL THE DEALERS ARE CLOSED ON SUNDAYS. SO WE DROVE THE CAR SLOWLY TO THE HOUSE ( 3 MILES AWAY). THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER NEXT DAY, WERE TOLD THAT IT IS A HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE. THE PUMP WAS REPLACED. NOW WE HAVE THE CAR BACK. BMW DEALER MENTIONED THAT THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN, BMW IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. ALSO MENTIONED THAT SUCH A FAILURE IS AN ACCEPTABLE PRICE FOR THE CAR'S GREAT ENGINE. MY WIFE STOPPED DRIVING THE CAR BECAUSE THE ENGINE MAY FAIL WITH THE CHILDREN WITH HER IN THE CAR, IT WILL BE DANGEROUS. EVERY TIME I TAKE THE CAR TO AND FROM WORK I AM WORRIED THAT THE ENGINE MAY FAIL AND TRULY CAN NOT TRUST THE "GREAT ENGINE" THAT THE DEALER IS SO PROUD OF.

NHTSA complaint #10345589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 53,020 miles Cambridge, MA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

REDUCED POWER FROM ENGINE. PRESSED ACCELERATOR AND ENGINE DID NOT RESPOND WITH REGULAR POWER. REDUCED POWER IN TRAFFIC AT 40MPH. PULLED OVER SHUT OFF ENGINE AND RESTARTED WITH FULL RETURN OF POWER. ONE REPEAT OF PROBLEM 3 MONTHS LATER WITH SIMILAR RESULTS. DEALER REPLACED FUEL INJECTION AUXILIARY PARTS. TOO SOON TO KNOW IF PROBLEM WILL RECUR.

NHTSA complaint #10345222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,000 miles Myrtle Beach, SC

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

CAR LOSES POWER 2008 BMW.535I *WE HAD JUST GOTTEN IT OUT OF THE SHOP (NEW PLUGS AND NEW BRAKES ,CHANGED THE OIL AIR FILTER FULL SERVICE) AND THE NEXT DAY WE HAD GONE OUT FOR SUPPER WHEN THE CAR WOULD BARRLY RUN IT WAS LIKE IT HAD 2 CYCLINDERS. HAD THE BMW PLACE PICK UP AND THEY SAID IT WAS LOW FUEL PUMP AND THEY HAD TO ORDER. WHEN THEY GOT THAT IN IT DID NOT FIX IT SO THE PUT ANOTHER SET OF PLUGS AND NEW COILS AND HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP IN ALSO. THEY ENDED UP COVERING THE WHOLE BILL. BUT IT SEEMS NOT TO RUN LIKE IT USE TO. NOT AS MUCH POWER. I WOULD LIKE TO FIND MORE INFO ON PROBLEM AND HOW THEY EXTENDED WARRANTY.* TR

NHTSA complaint #10345043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 16,400 miles NEW York, NY

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

JUNE, 2010 - I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 BMW 535 STATION WAGON ON THE HIGHWAY (LONG ISLAND EXPRESSWAY I-495, NEW YORK) AT 65 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE CAR LURCHED, MADE A LOUD NOISE AND LOST POWER. BMW REPLACED THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. AUGUST 2009 - THE CAR STARTED BUT LIGHTS ON DASH BOARD WENT ON SAYING "VEHICLE HAD REDUCED POWER". IT WAS TOWED TO BMW DEALERSHIP, WHERE THEY REPLACED THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. AUGUST 2008 - THE BMW LOST POWER ON THE HIGHWAY AND WAS TOWED TO DEALER. THEY MADE A REPAIR TO THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM.

NHTSA complaint #10345080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 44,000 miles Winchester, TN

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 535I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PREOWNED VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN APRIL 2010. THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. THE OWNER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE CUT OFF . THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. ON JUNE 2, 2010 THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AGAIN. THE DEALER REPLACED THAT FUEL PUMP WITH A "NEW" PUMP. THE DEALER WAS DELIVERING THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE OWNER AND THE MECHANIC EXPERIENCE THE SAME FAILURE AND RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. BMW DECIDED TO TAKE A FUEL SAMPLE FROM THE TANK TO DETERMINE IF THE FUEL WAS THE CORRECT. THEY ALSO ADVISED THEY HAD FOUND DEBRIS IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. BMW STATED THAT THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE FUEL TANK OFF AND CLEAN IT AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE OF ABOUT $3,000.00 AS THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERSHIP AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT WAITING FOR REPAIRS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 44,000.

NHTSA complaint #10343931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 3,000 miles LA Jolla, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

I HAVE A 2008 BMW 535I AND RECEIVED THE DREADED "ENGINE MALFUNCTION - REDUCED POWER" READOUT. THE CAR WOULD NOT DEVELOP MORE THAN 1,500 RPMS. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR STATED IMMEDIATELY THAT IT WAS A FAILED HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, A RATHER COMMON OCCURRENCE ON THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE. THE HPFP WAS REPLACED AND THE CAR HAS PERFORMED FINE NOW FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS, ALTHOUGH THE AFOREMENTIONED READOUT DID APPEAR ONE MORE TIME, BUT I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTED IT IMMEDIATELY AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE.

NHTSA complaint #10343803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 7,000 miles Jericho, NY

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THE N54 ENGINE IN THE BMW IS A HAZARD-I ALMOST GOT KILLED WHEN MY CAR STALLED ON THE ROAD-BMW REPLACED THE HP FUEL PUMP 3X ALREADY AND THE CAR IS LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD. THESE ENGINES NEED TO BE REPLACED AS THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW. DO PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE TO FIX THE PROBLEM?

NHTSA complaint #10331304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 41,000 miles Winter Park, FL

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2008 BMW 535I TOOK MY CAR INTO DEALERSHIP DUE TO CAR RUNNING ROUGH. THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING AND SENT ME ON MY MERRY WAY. TOOK MY CAR IN ON MONDAY, MAY 4 DUE TO CAR RUNNING ROUGH AND TICKING NOISE IN ENGINE...TOLD THEM WE WERE GOING ON A 1,000 MILE ROAD TRIP THE END OF THE WEEK. THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING BUT DID REPLACE SOME BRAKE ITEMS. DRIVING HOME AT THE END OF OUR TRIP, ON ACCELERATION MY CAR 'SKIPPED' THREE TIMES....A COUPLE OF MINUTES LATER I TESTED IT AND ACCELERATED AGAIN (ON FL TURNPIKE) IT 'SKIPPED' HARD AGAIN THREE TIMES. GOT OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT...AT THE LIGHT I GOT A 'ENGINE MALFUNCTION' LIGHT AND LIMPED INTO THE 7-11. PUT GAS IN CAR, CALLED BMW CONCIERGE. WE WERE CLOSE ENOUGH TO HOME TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, GET A DRIVER TO HELP US TRANSFER ALL OUR LUGGAGE ETC, AND TAKE US HOME. NEXT DAY CALLED DEALERSHIP...THEY HAD CAR DAY AND A HALF AND SAID IT WAS THE FUEL INJECTOR PUMP. I UNDERSTAND FROM TONS OF BMW OWNER BLOGS THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE...WE WERE FORTUNATE ENOUGH NOT TO BE GOING 65 MILES AN HOUR IN FRONT OF A SEMI LIKE MANY OTHER FAMILY'S HAVE THE MISFORTUNE OF. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO HAVE THIS REPLACE NOT ONE, TWO, OR THREE TIMES BUT CONTINUOUS...FOUR! THIS IS ABSURD. WHERE'S BMW'S INTEGRITY TO DO THE RIGHT THING, ADDRESS THE SITUATION, AND NOT PUT THEIR CONSUMERS IN HARMS WAY. DO WE NEAR A NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE OR OUR FAMILY'S FILING LAWSUITS ONCE WE'RE SIX FEET IN THE GRAVE FOR THEM TO STAND UP AND TAKE CARE OF THESE PROBLEMS ONCE AND FOR ALL????

NHTSA complaint #10330418 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 38,202 miles Chapel Hill, NC

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE CAR BEGAN TO RUN VERY ROUGHLY. A WARNING LIGHT AND WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED, INDICATING THAT THERE WAS AN ENGINE PROBLEM. WE PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND INTO A PARKING LOT. WE STOPPED THE ENGINE, WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND RESTARTED THE CAR. THE CAR CONTINUED TO RUN ROUGHLY BUT THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT OR MESSAGE. WE CONTINUED ON TO OUR DESTINATION (SHOPPING). WHEN WE FINISHED OUR SHOPPING, I STARTED THE CAR AND IT CONTINUED TO RUN ROUGHLY AND THE SAME WARNING LIGHT AND MESSAGE APPEARED. I WANTED TO DRIVE THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE BUT WHEN I PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE THE CAR STALLED. I RESTARTED THE CAR, DROVE IT ABOUT 100 FEET INTO ANOTHER PARKING LOT AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. WHEN I DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM AT THE DEALERSHIP, A SERVICE REP INDICATED THAT THEY THOUGHT IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. I HEARD THAT THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM. THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO REPLACE THE PUMP WITHOUT GETTING AUTHORIZATION FROM BMW BECAUSE BMW HAD HAS SO MANY FUEL PUMP PROBLEMS. A FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED THAT WOULD CAUSE THE CAR TO STALL IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION.

NHTSA complaint #10327520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 26,500 miles Bedminster, NJ

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

I AM REPORTING KNOWN FAILURES AND AN "UNOFFICIAL RECALL" (SEE WEB LINK TO BMS SERVICE REPORT) OF HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMPS FOR 2008/2009 BMW CARS WITH THE 3 LITER TWIN TURBO ENGINES. WHEN THESE FUEL PUMPS FAIL THERE IS AN IMMEDIATE REDUCTION OF POWER AND THE CAR GOES INTO "LIMP MODE". BMW HAS RECENTLY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE FUEL PUMPS TO OVER 100K MILES AND 10 YEARS, BUT I AM CONCERNED THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A FORMAL SAFETY INVESTIGATION BY THE US GOVERNMENT (THAT I KNOW OF) OR A FORMAL RECALL BY BMW SINCE THIS IS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF CARS SUDDENLY SLOW AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I AM THE OWNER OF A 2008 BMW 535, IT IS NOW HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING IN THE MORNING AND I AM NOW CONCERNED ABOUT WHEN/IF MY FUEL PUMP WILL FAIL - TO THE POINT I WILL NO LONGER LET MY WIFE DRIVE THE CAR. WWW.BMWBLOG.COM/2009/03/.../MORE-BMW-FUEL-PUMP-NEWS/ HTTP://WWW.E90POST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=181600.

NHTSA complaint #10326290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bakersfield, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

1. VEHICLE LOSES POWER 2. ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT COMES ONE. 11/2008, 2/2009 & 4/2010 3. GAS FUEL PUMP REPLACED 3 TIMES IN 18 MONTHS.

NHTSA complaint #10324866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 37,500 miles NEW Vernon, NJ

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW 535XI. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. THERE WAS A SUDDEN REDUCTION IN THE ENGINE POWER FOR 30 SECONDS. THE ENGINE SHUTTERED AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON A SEPARATE OCCASION AND THE COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT ADDRESSED THE FUEL PUMP FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 37,500.

NHTSA complaint #10322080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2008 BMW 5 Series problems

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