2008 BMW 535I: sudden loss of power

Filed Mar 18, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 145,000 miles · CA

I was driving home stopped at a red light , then turned green went to accelerate car took off and lost all power would not move pressing accelerator and 2 semi trucks coming real fast from cross traffic almost killed me light turned red for me and green for semi trailers with no time to exit car.

Filed Mar 7, 2019 · Acceleration · 65,000 miles · CA

Car reduced power, shakes and will not run anymore. Is so unsafe to be driving this specially in the fwy very scary.

Filed Oct 20, 2018 · Engine · 131,000 miles · CA

Driving if freeway 65 MPH, all the sudden car stalled lost power I drove it off the freeway the steering wheel was very hard to turn, try to startup the car did not start called aaa for tow truck after 15 min I start the car, start fined and no problem, to bmw USA made appointment with bmw dealer 4 days later was available for service, the day before my appointment, after dropped my daughter the car stalled in middle of the street cause bad traffic called tow truck again waited after 15 min started everything was fined but I tow it to bmw dealer to check it. Idrive should fuel pump once flashed. This is very dangerous .

Filed Sep 17, 2018 · Engine · 92,330 miles · GA

The electric water pump failed. The system did not show any visible warning on the dashboard at time of failure even though the ecu registered a failure code internally when it detected that the pump had stopped working (as compared to mileage/timestamps from diagnostic codes at the time of failure). Some time later suddenly the system displayed an engine overheat warning and lost power in the middle of the road. Driving at about 35-40mph on a local highway.

Filed Dec 21, 2016 · Engine · 160,123 miles · AL

Engine malfunction-driving with reduced power notice. Have previously been told that "service engine" light and shaking and stalling during acceleration was due to ignition coils. I have had those replaced and after replacing those the water pump failed and left me stranded on interstate....vehicle shut down while driving 70 MPH. Was able to coast to safety. Now engine malfunction. From looking at recall information it appears that I should have been notified to issues with water pump and replacement but was never contacted. Bmw should be held accountable to customer who paid for service that was obviously not the real issue.

Filed Jul 1, 2016 · Fuel system · 46,489 miles · AZ

While driving on freeway at 70 MPH, the vehicle began to lose power in heavy traffic. I noticed on computer screen engine malfunction-reduced power. So, I manuvered to get to outside shoulder lane, and stopped the vehicle.it was sputtering at the time, and I turned the vehicle off for a few minutes. And then started it again and the problem had cleared itself, so I proceeded to my home. When I got home, I checked on the computer for online information, and saw a recall notice for this vehicle because of high pressure fuel pump failure, safety hazzard. The car was purchased last year from a dealer with only 40,000 miles on it, and at that time the dealer said, "the old owner traded it in on a new vehicle." so, I have no record if this problem was recalled through this 1st owner or not? It acted exactly as the safety complaint explained, the loss of power with engine malfunction. I was fortunate to get off the freeway to a safe place to stop, with lack of power. It was strange to say the least, and the vehicle now has 45,000 miles on the odometer.(I looked up on the site for recalls and put in the VIN number, and the indication came back, no recall on this vehicle. It is ironic that this is the same type of incident that happened to cause major problems, enough to have an abc safety recall special, and I experience the same type of event that many others had. Please advise me of my next procedure to not experience this again. Troubled driver 7/1/2016

Filed Apr 10, 2015 · Engine · 88,000 miles · IL

While driving at 45 MPH, yellow warning light indicating the car was overheating came on. A few seconds later the light turned red and indicated to stop the vehicle and shut the engine off. Vehicle lost all power and I came to a stop. It was towed to the shop and I was informed that the water pump and thermostat needed to be replaced adding that it was a common failure in the bmw. Vehicle had recently been serviced at bmw dealer.

Filed Apr 2, 2015 · Engine · 65,000 miles · FL

Vehicle loss power while driving on hwy and idle rough. And check engine light came on.

Filed Jan 30, 2015 · Engine, Fuel system · 74,500 miles · CA

I drove to work and the engine light was on that morning. The car drove as normal. I was driving home from work at approximately 6:30 p.m on a busy interstate in the middle lane traveling approx. 65 MPH when the car began to shake and lose power. It automatically shifted into neutral and lose power. I had to maneuver to the shoulder in heavy traffic with no power. After turning on my hazard lights, I was able to safely get to the shoulder. The car was towed home. After a few days, we were able to drive it to the repair shop (not bmw) and was initially told that sensors were bad. Replaced them and a few days later, the same engine warning light came on again. This time I was told that it was bad injectors and that the fuel is burning to rich. Bmw had previously replaced 2 of the injectors about 2 years ago. The car only had approximately 35k miles at that time and needed injectors replaced. Why they only replaced 2, is incomprehensible. Thankfully, the car was under warranty at that time, unfortunately for me, it is no longer under warranty and now I have to foot the $2k bill to have them replaced. Bmw should be held accountable to its owners and replace these injectors since there are so many reported problems. There is obviously an issue with the injectors. These cars are not inexpensive to purchase and it is unfair to be stuck with these high repair bills when there is a know problem and reported by so many bmw owners. First, it was my water pump, and now the fuel injectors. This is my second bmw. I previously owned the 328 and it had lifters replaced after about 8 months. I will not purchase another bmw - probably go with lexus! Shame on bmw for not taking ownership of this problem..

Filed Dec 16, 2014 · Engine · 95,100 miles · GA

Drove the car home from work the day before. Went out the next day to start the vehicle and it was shaking and vibrating tremendously. I had it towed to the bmw dealership that stated the injectors were bad and needed to be replaced for $1,700.00. They then called me back and stated the dm e was also bad and the codes didn't pick it up in the beginning. They then asked for an additional $1,800.00. I picked up my car after repairs and did not make it home before the check engine light came on and lost power. Took it back to the bmw dealership who then stated it was the turbos that was bad and it would be an additional $5,600.!!!! I am not pleased with the 535i. I have wanted a bmw all of my life and I finally get one and it's been a nightmare. The water pump went out two months after I purchased it for $1,700.00! The bmw 535i has been one headache after the next and I feel like I was sold a used lemon of a car!!! I bought it from a certified bmw dealership!!! What a rip off!!! I called bmw of north america and they refused to offer assistance with repairs and so did the dealership!!! I feel like I've been robbed!!!

Filed Jun 28, 2014 · Acceleration, Engine · 98,000 miles · GA

During highway traveling upon acceleration to change lanes the car began to lose power and stall. A engine malfunction light came/reduced power. I had to drive the car about 45 MPH because it began to shake as if it was going to cut off. Dealership advised that is was not the hpfp (high pressure fuel pump). I was told that all six fuel injectors needed to be replaced. This car can be very dangerous to drive on the highway because of its unreliability!

Filed May 27, 2014 · Acceleration, Engine · 43,750 miles · CA

We were stopped and waiting at a red light then pressed accelerator when the light turned green. The car starts moving then suddenly loses all power within seconds while entering a very busy freeway onramp. After losing power and car is dead, a warning message appears. Warning says car is "overheated and to stop, danger of burns with hot water pump." car had not been driven for 2 hours prior to incident. There was absolutely no warning before losing all power and control of the car. Had to have car towed to dealer. Dealer replaced the water pump and did not explain the sudden loss of power or lack of warning. The car has had multiple problems with the high pressure fuel pump. The car also has had several warnings of sudden power loss that the dealer is unable to diagnose. The sudden stop on the freeway caused us to be nearly rear-ended a few times before the police came.