2008 BMW 535XI: fuel pump failure

Filed Nov 12, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 116,000 miles · TN

For over the past year, the (small) engine light has been repeatedly & constantly going on/off. I've had sensors, spark plugs, tubes & everything under the sun replaced and have taken (or towed in most cases) the car to many different auto repair shops for multiple quotes & repairs. The latest problem is the small engine light came on & the car was stuck in park and would not engage in drive or reverse. It wouldn't shift. After turning the car off and then on again, the engine light was completely gone & the car was fine to drive/reverse. After driving the car a few blocks, the engine malfunction/reduce speed light came on, the power was drastically reduced & I almost got hit by a dump truck. In 2008, I bought my bmw brand new because I wanted no car issues because I am not a mechanic. Every since I bought this car I have had nothing but repeated & different issues that no mechanic can identify. And it all started with the high-pressure fuel pump which was replaced three times (hpfp). After the third hpfp was replaced, and the car was in the shop literally for three months straight, I got a lawyer involved and bmw corp apologized & said I could have a choice of: 1/ getting a different car that they picked out (a 535i not the xi I bought because of snow and ice conditions) 2/ they cut me a check for a few thousand and told me to shut up and I could never speak of what happened or be part of future lawsuits or class actions. I've never felt safe driving my 2008 bmw (116k miles on it over 12.5 years) every bmw owner that bought a bmw between the range of years knows exactly what I am talking about re: the constant and never-ending issues that all start with the hpfp & escalate from there. Repair shops can't fix the issues & bmw covers up. The federal safety agency hasn't done anything about this massive bmw issue affecting the vast majority of owners. Just google it!

Filed Jun 21, 2019 · Fuel system · 158,000 miles · CA

Vehicle stalls, hesitates when driving. Message on the dash says that the fuel pump is failing, but can be driven with decreased performance and to bring the vehicle to bmw. Brought the car to bmw service and they told me that there was a recall on the fuel pump but my car is not covered because I have 159k miles one the said vehicle. Upon further investigation with the service advisor, (carlos - norwalk bmw), who is polite and helpful, we found that the car had already been serviced for three same problem at least 3 times. First is in 2009 when they replaced the high pressure fuel pump. After folloa year 2010, the same problem occurred. The dealership again replaced the same fuel pump. Then on 2013, having the same problem again, the dealership replaced the injectors but the problem is still occurring. The problem had been ongoing and this time, they will not fix the issue because the vehicle is over the 120k miles. I believe that bmw is responsible for the problem that the vehicle was never properly fix in the first place. At least 3 times of having the same problem (that was documented by bmw), and still not resolved! It is a good car, but can be dangerous and could cause an accident. I will not let my wife drive it anymore until I feel it is safe. Problem is intermittent. At low speed, idling, and at highway speeds which can be really scary. I hope they will take responsibility and actually find and fix the issue.

Filed Jul 31, 2018 · Fuel system · 140,000 miles · NY

While driving on the highway and local streets the car suddenly loses power and cuts off giving a fuel pump malfunction. I had the high pressure fuel pump replaced and the problem still exists. This has put my whole family in danger because it has happened on the highway at speeds in excess of 50 MPH. The car just suddenly shut down.

Filed Sep 13, 2016 · Engine, Fuel system · 60,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw 535xi. While driving 50 MPH, the vehicle lost power and overheated. In addition "please shut engine off due to overheating " was displayed across the message board. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.

Filed May 6, 2016 · Fuel system · 124,950 miles · NC

I recently purchased a 2008 bmw 535xi and have had it for about a week or so. It has spent more time in the shop than on the road due to fuel injectors causing misfires and now the high pressure fuel pump has gone out. I recently found out also that this is a common issue with bmw and they are pretending that the fuel pump malfunction in 3 & 5 series isn't their fault. I checked the carfax on the vehicle before buying it and it was serviced regularly at a bmw dealership. After further research I also have found out that the dealership totally ignored the recalls and screwed over the first owner. Bmw needs to take full responsibility for selling cars with known defective parts. I have to drop $3800 to fix the problems that the fuel pump has caused. The car won't even start now.

Filed May 12, 2015 · Brakes, Fuel system · 129,500 miles · MI

I was exiting the the freeway and when I was on a banked onramp the engine stopped running while vehicle was in motion. I lost power steering and the ability to release the brake. I nearly lost control of the vehicle as the unexpected loss in power steering caused me to loose grip on the wheel. The engine was in neutral when the engine stalled. Upon restarting the engine (which struggled to start) the "service engine soon telltale" illuminated and the vehicle entered "reduce engine power mode". After scanning the dtc (p3090) I learned the vehicle's high pressure fuel pump failed. I noticed bmw has a recall on the issue. Unfortunately their recall only covers the fuel pump to 120,000 miles and my vehicle has roughly 9,500 miles above the covered threshold. Based on my experience and reading online I feel the pump has some sort of design flaw that bmw has failed to properly address. I wish bmw would hold up to their integrity and continue to replace the fuel pump for the life of the vehicle.

Filed Aug 5, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · 56,431 miles · WA

Cold start in the morning for drive to work, car suffered slow start and rough idle. Then check engine light illuminated and reduced power notification on idrive with high coolant fan RPM. Shut down car for 30 minutes, restarted with no issue indicated in idrive but yellow check engine light illuminated on dash. Drove to dealer for scheduled appointment on safety recall for tail lamp assembly (13v‑407). While at 40 MPH and approximately 1/4 mile from dealer, engine surged then reduced power notification and check engine on idrive. Radiator fan went to high RPM and car slowed to approximately 20 MPH rapidly almost causing an accident on a two lane road. Vehicle made it to the dealer without incident. Dealer indicates it is failure of high pressure fuel pump. This is the second replacement of the pump. Last one occurred within 27 months and 16k miles.