2011 BMW X5 Fuel System Problems
NHTSA lists 50 Fuel System complaints for the 2011 BMW X5, 17% of all complaints filed for the year, with a median failure mileage of 73,500 miles. A related recall (16V746000) covers fuel pump module replacement on this model year.
- Fuel System complaints
- 50
- 17% of 287
- Crashes reported
- 1
- Fires reported
- 4
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 73,500 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical fuel system symptoms owners report
- Owners report fires linked to the high-pressure fuel pump, including one vehicle that caught fire while parked in a garage.
- Some describe engine stalling or sudden loss of power while driving at highway speed, with warning lights indicating reduced power.
- Several report the vehicle would not restart immediately after stalling, requiring the car to sit before it would run again.
- One owner found excessive rust and corrosion inside the fuel tank and attached exhaust components, with smoke emitting from underneath the vehicle.
- Another reported the fuel diesel heater failing and causing the engine to overheat and emit smoke under the hood.
- A cold-start issue was described where the engine surges excessively and can cause the vehicle to lurch forward or reverse when put into gear.
When 2011 BMW X5 fuel system complaints were filed
First complaint May 19, 2011, latest Aug 6, 2024.
Fuel System recalls for the 2011 BMW X5
- 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 X5 model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many fuel system complaints does the 2011 BMW X5 have?
- NHTSA lists 50 Fuel System complaints for the 2011 BMW X5, which makes up 17% of all 287 complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a fuel system recall for the 2011 BMW X5?
- Yes. Recall campaign 16V746000, reported in October 2016, covers replacement of the fuel pump module on the 2011 X5 and related BMW models, free of charge.
- At what mileage do fuel system problems typically show up on the 2011 X5?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for fuel system complaints on the 2011 X5 is 73,500 miles.
- Are fuel system fires a concern on the 2011 BMW X5?
- NHTSA records 4 fires among the complaints filed for this model year, with some owners linking the fires to the fuel pump covered by the recall.
- How does the 2011 X5's fuel system complaint rate compare to other years?
- The 2011 X5 had 50 fuel system complaints (17% share), lower in share than 2014 (32%) and 2015 (33%) but higher in raw count than most years except 2015.