2011 BMW 5 Series Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 6%of 81 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 2,100miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the fuel system of the 2011 BMW 5 Series, 6% of the 81 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 2,100 miles. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I bought a 2011 Bmw 535i 3 weeks ago. Upon driving on local streets, the car stopped abruptly from 30mph to 0mph. My car has under 2000 miles on it. Stuck in the middle of an intersection, with fuel pump malfunction , and engine malfunction on the onboard dash. I hit my head on the steering wheel when this occurred. I was also carrying a 5 gallon square container of water that was capped and sealed in the trunk. During the abrupt stop of the car, about 1/2 a gallon of water spilled into the trunk. …”
NHTSA complaint #10346220, filed 2010-07, 1,900 miles“I bought a 2011 Bmw 535i on november 30, 2010. On december 4, 2010, I experienced car trouble. The engine malfunction, and reduce power warning lights came on. The car shutdown completely, but not before shaking very sharply. This all occurred in about 15 seconds, while I was driving. Bmw response was safe mode . On december 9, 2010 the vehicle was being repaired again for the same issues, they replaced a fuel sensor. On december 30, 2010, the car was being serviced again, they replaced the high and low fuel pumps. …”
NHTSA complaint #10392634, filed 2011-03, 4,000 miles“The first time it happened, my wife drove our 2011 Bmw 535i to work and the fuel gauge was reading half tank. It's only approx. 20 miles to work round trip to our house but when she came back home the fuel gauge was almost empty and flashing warning light fuel refill is showing. I drove the car for the past few days and I noticed that the fuel gauge indicator seemed to be staying all the time at half tank reading. I drove it this morning to our family physician and to the mall and I still noticed the fuel gauge indicator is not moving and was reading half tank. …”
NHTSA complaint #10353634, filed 2010-09, 1,320 miles“Was parking 2011 Bmw 550 automatic.car suddenly took off and hit very hard on stone wall.all airbags deployed including lower passenger windows.car electric system failed.lots of damage to car. Also taken car to dealer before due to pullingof car on right while drivig and on applying brakes.”
NHTSA complaint #10393658, filed 2011-03, 2,300 miles“Nhtsa recall campaign 16v-746 was issued 13 oct 2016. To date Bmw has yet to to notify us to schedule the repair of the defect - nearly 6 months after the recall was issued. We believe this an unacceptably long wait for which we have not seen any action from NHTSA or other federal authorities to compel Bmw to accelerate compliance with the recall order. Are we going to have to wait for people to die in a fiery made for tv news accident before this is taken seriously??? Fix my car!!”
NHTSA complaint #10983815, filed 2017-05Related recalls
- 12V161000Apr 10, 2012Bmw is recalling certain model year 2011 5-series, 5-series gran turismo, model year 2012 6-series convertible, 7-series, x5 sav, and x6 sav vehicles equipped…Covers: BMW 5 Series 2011, 6 Series 2012, 5-SERIES Gran Turismo 2011 +3 more
- 11V521000Oct 20, 2011Bmw is recalling certain model year 2011 5-series, model year 2010-2011 5-series gran turismo, model year 2009-2011 7-series, model year 2010-2011 x5 sav, and…Covers: BMW 5 Series 2011, X6 2008–2011, 7 Series 2009–2011 +2 more
- 10V331000Jul 22, 2010Bmw is recalling certain 2010 and 2011 5-series and 5-series gran turismo passenger vehicles manufactured from january 12 through july 1, 2010. The vehicle's…Covers: BMW 5 Series 2010–2011, 5-SERIES Gran Turismo 2010–2011
Related service bulletins
- 11008105Sep 16, 2024Only fuel nozzles with the recommended “specified” diameter for diesel engine passenger vehicles can beinserted into the filler neck. Most fuel stations have their diesel fuel…
- 10247567Dec 20, 2023Engine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel module (TFE) whendiagnosing with ISTA. The following two fault codes will be stored in the…
- 10058994Jul 1, 2015Bmw: tsb contains an owner's notification letter. Select document search button below. Information provided regarding the extension of limited warranty on the in tank fuel (pump)…
- 10058483Apr 1, 2015Bmw: procedural information on the installation of fuel system low pressure sensor and not correctly installed will lead to failure of low pressure sensor and metal supply line…
- 10052359May 1, 2013Bmw: on some vehicles, the high pressure fuel injector, can lead to an internal failure due to incorrect operation and would need to be repaired and/or replaced. Models f01, 02…
- 10044288May 1, 2013Bmw: the engine malfunction due to excessive temperatures occurring because of vapors forming in fuel systems. *pe models 2010-2011 f07, 10, 12, 13. Updated 1/18/13. *pe updated…
- 10052011Mar 1, 2013Bmw: fuel tank pressure. Check engine light may illuminate with a fault code of 19401b. This light indicates that the pressure may be low as opposed to ambient.
- 10046679Oct 1, 2012Bmw: improper detection of an evaporative system leak caused by contamination of poppet valve inside pressure switch for tank leakage diagnosis module (nvld-natural vacuum leak…
- 10043687Oct 1, 2012Bmw: the evaporative system leakage is found, when using the nvld tank leakage test plan. *pe updated 1/18/13.
- 10035009Jan 1, 2012Bmw vehicle: teileclearing for diagnostic module tank leakage (dmtl) system. Teileclearing process has been developed to help identify the root causes of customer complaints…
Fuel system: other model years
Other parts of the 2011 BMW 5 Series
30 complaintsSteering
20 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 BMW 5 Series
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology