2008 BMW 5 Series: fuel pump failure

Filed May 18, 2011 · Brakes, Fuel system · 8,900 miles · NV

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

Filed Apr 12, 2011 · Fuel system · 21,088 miles · TN

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.

Filed Jan 24, 2011 · Engine · 22,000 miles · FL

Car check engine light came on, reduced power on dash, and sluggish. Towed car to dealer, replaced spark plugs and high pressure fuel pump. Check engine light came on again, took to dealer, needed pressure sensor. This has occurred 4 times now, dealer states this is ongoing problem with this engine, and have I would have to bring the vehicle in whenever this occurred, no loaner car available. I do not feel safe in the vehicle when this occurs.

Filed Jan 21, 2011 · Fuel system · 12,925 miles · NJ

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.

Filed Nov 29, 2010 · Fuel system · 22,000 miles · OH · fire

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.

Filed Nov 13, 2010 · Fuel system · 18,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Nov 6, 2010 · Engine, Fuel system · 22,750 miles · WI

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.

Filed Sep 3, 2010 · Engine, Fuel system · 35,000 miles · NY

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.

Filed Aug 12, 2010 · Fuel system · 32,000 miles · IL

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.

Filed Jul 31, 2010 · Fuel system · 22,500 miles · MD

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.

Filed Jul 27, 2010 · Fuel system · 34,000 miles · NJ

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).

Filed Jul 27, 2010 · Fuel system · 10,000 miles · MI

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.