YearToAvoid

2011 BMW 550i Fuel System Problems

NHTSA lists 16 fuel system complaints for the 2011 BMW 550i, 19% of that year's 84 total complaints, with 4 fires reported and a median failure mileage of 52,500. A related recall, campaign 16V746000, covers fuel pump module replacement.

Fuel System complaints
16
19% of 84
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
52,500 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical fuel system symptoms owners report

  • Fuel pump failure triggers a fuel odor and smoke, sometimes recurring even after an initial repair.
  • Fires reported originating near the fuel system or engine compartment shortly after the car was parked and turned off, in some cases spreading to the attached garage or home.
  • Owners describe delays getting the fuel pump recall performed because replacement parts were unavailable at dealers.
  • Engine hesitation and check engine light activation tied to fuel delivery problems, with the car struggling to maintain speed on the freeway.
  • Some owners report a dealer refusing to honor the recall repair after being contacted about the fuel pump issue.

When 2011 BMW 550i fuel system complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 7, 2013, latest Aug 1, 2019.

2011 BMW 550i fuel system complaints: complaints filed per month2Nov 2013Sep 2014Nov 2016May 2017Aug 2017Dec 2017Oct 2018Aug 2019
16 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2013 to Aug 2019; peak Mar 2015 (2).

Fuel System recalls for the 2011 BMW 550i

  1. NHTSA 16V746000Oct 17, 2016Fuel System136,188 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

    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.

Fuel System complaints by 550i model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20102 (18%)
  2. 201116 (19%)
  3. 201213 (37%)
  4. 20135 (33%)
  5. 20142 (33%)
  6. 20153 (50%)
  7. 20160 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are fuel system complaints on the 2011 BMW 550i?
NHTSA records 16 fuel system complaints for this year, which is 19% of the 84 total complaints filed for the 2011 550i.
Is there a recall for the fuel system on the 2011 BMW 550i?
Yes. Campaign 16V746000, reported in 2016, covers replacement of the fuel pump module. It is not a do-not-drive or park-outside recall.
Did the fuel system issue cause fires?
NHTSA data shows 4 fire reports tied to the fuel system complaints for the 2011 550i, though no crashes or injuries were recorded.
At what mileage do fuel system problems typically appear?
The median mileage at failure for fuel system complaints on the 2011 550i is 52,500 miles.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.