I own a 2003 sulev bmw and it needs a fuel pump. This only can be repaired by a dealership due to the fact it has a sealed fuel tank. The cost can be 6 to 8000.00 dollars. I was told there is an extended warranty for a sulev car. 150000 mi or 15 years. I called bmw and they never heard of that warranty. Can you please help. Thank you
BMW 325I fuel pump problems
12 of the 1,367 owner complaints about the BMW 325I describe fuel pump failure, most of them for the 2003 model year.
- owner complaints
- 12
- worst model year
- 2003
- typical mileage
- 140,000
By model year
- 20061
- 20051
- 20042
- 20035
- 20023
Often reported together
What owners say
I have replaced the clutch, transmission, fuel pump, spark plugs, battery, and alternator and my car still won't run. Its been parked for a year now with the exception of 15 days.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 bmw 325i. The contact stated that there was a drastic reduction in speed while operating the vehicle. The contact was uncertain if the fuel system, electrical system, or engine was the source of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle would hesitate and fail to start intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. An independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and stated that the fuel pump assembly may be the cause of the failure. The dealer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 bmw 325i. While attempting to start the vehicle, it failed to respond. The vehicle was towed to sterling bmw (3000 west coast hwy, newport beach, ca 92663) where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank and fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified, but was contacted regarding recall inquiries. The approximate failure mileage was 200,020.
The fuel pumps of the super low emission vehicles (sulev) (pzev) 325i models (in ca, me, ma, ny and vt) are enclosed in the stainless steel fuel tank and there is a known 100% failure. Bmw has a 15 year/150k warranty but I am contacting you because my car has 192k and is out of warranty. For known defective material and workmanship of the fuel pump, there should have been a recall or at least notification to the owners of such vehicles. In most cases, even when under warranty the bmw dealerships gave owners difficulties and resistance when the fuel pump failed, particularly because the part alone is $6000, not including labor. As many of these sulev models are still on the road and potentially would stop running at any point when the fuel pump clogs or gets blocked, the drivers are potentially placed in danger. My 2003 325i died on the freeway going 70mph but fortunately I was able to safely maneuver to the shoulder. This could have easily caused a multi-car accident but fortunately there weren't many other cars on the freeway at the time. There was nothing I could do but coast to the side of the road. It would not start again and is basically dead in the water now. The local bmw dealership refuses to do anything since it is out of warranty. Again, although this affects later model sulev cars, I ask you to please open an investigation, as bmw should stand by their product and reputation by repairing a known defective part that affected or will affect all sulev models. Typically the fuel pump fails prior to the 150k mileage, but apparently since I rarely allow my fuel tank to go below a quarter tank, I was able to get an additional 40k. Regardless, I think a recall for this major defect is much more important than the rear lamp which did initiate a recall. Bmw should be ashamed of themselves and I will never even think of buying another bmw ever again.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 325 bmw. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle began to decelerate independently to 35 MPH. The contact attempted to accelerate but the vehicle stalled. The contact pulled over and attempted to restart the vehicle but it failed. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic for inspection where they stated that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that there were no recalls for the vehicle. The failure mileage was 160,000.
The fuel pump went bad ,and left me stranded on a busy street,it suppose to have a manufacturer warranty for 15years or 150,000 miles from bmw, but they don't honor it at the dealer,I feel this should be a recall due to the fact that the fuel pump is sealed inside the tank,which leaves no access to change the pump,and the dealer is stating that we have to pay 6500.00 for the whole tank.. This should be a recall..
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 bmw 325i. The contact stated that the brake and tail lights were did not work ar times. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the lights were repaired. Approximately one year later, the contact was informed by the manufacturer that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 11v438000 (exterior lighting:brake lights). Updated 10/18/11*lj the fuel pump was replaced. Updated 01/30/12
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 bmw 325i. While driving 65 MPH, the ABS light illuminated and the speedometer stopped functioning. The contact turned the vehicle off and restarted it. After restarting the vehicle, the light was still illuminated and the service engine light illuminated while she was driving home. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealership where the fuel pump was replaced. The dealer advised the contact to replace the ABS module but the contact refused that repair. The current mileage was approximately 113,000. The failure mileage was approximately 112,970.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 bmw 325i. The contact noticed a crack in the fuel tank that caused gasoline to leak out. Each time the gasoline tank is filled, he smells fumes. Recently, after filling the vehicle with gasoline, the contact parked his vehicle and observed approximately a quarter tank of fuel on the ground. He took the vehicle to his mechanic and was informed about the crack in the fuel tank. The bmw manufacturer advised him to take the vehicle to the dealer to determine if the fuel tank was cracked. Once this has been determined, the contact may be eligible for reimbursement or bmw will repair the vehicle. The failure mileage was 68,172. Updated 8/18/09 *cn the dealer determined the gas tank was not cracked, but the leak was caused by a seal that was installed incorrectly at the fuel pump. Updated 08/21/09.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the BMW 325I fuel pump
Which BMW 325I years have fuel pump failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2003 (5 complaints), 2002 (3 complaints) and 2004 (2 complaints).
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