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.
2011 BMW 535I fuel system problems
35 complaints (31% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 78,000.
- owner complaints
- 35
- of this car's complaints
- 31%
- typical mileage
- 78,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
BMW 535I fuel system problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2011 BMW 535I fuel system
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- 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, 2011-2012 528i, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i and 550i xDrive and 2012 535i ActiveHybrid, 640i Convertible, 650i Convertible, 650i xDrive Convertible, 650i Coupe and 650i Coupe xDrive vehicles. The affected vehicles have in-tank fuel pumps that may have insufficiently crimped wire contacts.
- Risk
- The loose wires may cause the connector to melt, resulting in a fuel leak. Additionally, the fuel pump may stop working, possibly causing an engine stall and increase the risk of a crash.
- 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.
Recall number 16V746000 · Recall details
What 2011 BMW 535I owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
BMW REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY OF CONSEQUENTIAL ISSUES CAUSED MY FAULTY FUEL PUMP RECALL AND IS TRYING TO CHARGE ME 21000 to fix. Engine reads maximum drivetrain output drive moderately
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 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
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.
Trying to change line go seventh miles causes the car to go in limp mode
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.
Drivetrain malfunction is on may be due to a bad fuel pump or engine coils
Care was in motion on local street care started stalling, decrease in fuel, smoke out of tail pipe, complete engine failure, unable to start on engine. There are multiple forums on this specific vehicle with issues due to fuel injector. Since I am not the original buyer on vehicle I was not aware and was never notified by the new dealer that there would be an issue. Vehicle was bought at 126k miles in sept 2019.
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
Questions about the 2011 BMW 535I fuel system
Does the 2011 BMW 535I have fuel system problems?
Owners have filed 35 complaints about the fuel system of the 2011 BMW 535I, 31% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2011 BMW 535I fuel system problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 78,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2011 BMW 535I fuel system?
Yes, 1 recall: 16V746000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the BMW 535I have the most fuel system problems?
The BMW 535I model years with the most fuel system complaints are 2009 (42 complaints), 2011 (35 complaints) and 2010 (34 complaints).
Other 2011 BMW 535I problems
Engine 41Electrical 17Transmission 17Wheels 7Acceleration 6Airbags 5Lights 5Brakes 3Tires 3Visibility 3Body 2Locks 1Seats 1Suspension 1
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2011 BMW 535I?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history