2014 BMW 535D Fuel/propulsion System Problems

19 complaints about Fuel/propulsion System

19
Complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Deaths

High Severity Issue

This component has been associated with crashes, fires, or deaths.

This Problem Across All Years

All Fuel/propulsion System Complaints (19)

Nov 20, 2025

Component/system failed: High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failed, releasing metal swarf that contaminated the entire fuel system. Components are at Niello BMW Sacramento (2020 Fulton Ave, Sacramento CA 95825) and available for inspection upon request (RO #XXX includes tech photos of swarf).Safety risk: On October 10, 2025, while driving on the freeway at highway speed, the engine suddenly lost all power and stalled completely in heavy traffic. No acceleration was possible – immediate rear-end collision risk and stranded in hazardous location requiring emergency tow.Confirmed by dealer: Yes – Niello BMW Sacramento (authorized BMW dealer), RO #XXX (Oct 2025). Fault code 249300 (low fuel pressure). Tech removed quantity control valve from HPFP, found metal swarf throughout fuel system, stated "VEHICLE NEEDS COMPLETE FUEL SYSTEM REPLACED."Inspected by manufacturer/others: Inspected by Niello BMW. BMW North America Executive Relations reviewed and formally declined coverage Nov 18–20, 2025, stating the recall repair was already completed once in 2021 and that supposedly satisfies the recall obligation. No BMW field tech inspection.Warning lamps/symptoms: Drivetrain Malfunction warning appeared at exact moment of failure. No prior warnings or symptoms – failure was sudden while driving.Additional details: Identical recurrence of NHTSA Safety Recall 21V-586. BMW performed recall remedy Dec 21, 2021 (RO #880742) at 67,779 miles. Replacement HPFP failed at 111,629 miles (only 43,850 miles later) with same metal swarf contamination. Remedy has proven ineffective. BMW refuses coverage, incorrectly claiming completing the recall once in 2021 satisfies their duty despite clear recurrence. Vehicle remains at dealership and is fully available for NHTSA inspection. [XXX] is my mother in law. She passed away unexpectedly August of 24. I'm authorized on the account per BMW my name is [XXX] ) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Sep 17, 2025

Hello, I have a 2014 BMW 535D, with only 46k miles. On September 14, 2025, my family experienced an unexpected and horrific incident that could have resulted with tragic consequences. This is not acceptable. While driving on the freeway at approximately 70 MPH, our vehicle completely malfunctioned in the fast lane and came to an abrupt stop. The thought of a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed and crashing into us and potentially causing an explosion would have been catastrophic. Luckily, CHP pushed our vehicle to the shoulder after waiting fearfully for 20 minutes. I had a diagnostic report completed of my vehicle and it identified that the engine failure was due to the high pressure fuel pump coming apart internally and contaminated the entire fuel system with metal particles. The vehicle is available for inspection by NHTSA, if needed. No warning lamps or messages ever appeared to advise something was wrong. I have researched and learned that there was a 21V-586 recall for my exact year and model vehicle. I had never received this important notice from BMW and it was not addressed during any of my visits at the dealership every time I brought it in for maintenance. I am appalled at the possible loss of life due to this negligence. On September 16, 2025, I spoke with BMW customer relations, who advised that the recall I referenced above was only a warranty extension, of which had expired in November 2024. As a result, I just missed the warranty, despite how I experienced the exact issue identified in the recall notice/warranty. My concern again is why was I not notified of this so that I could have brought my vehicle in for inspection and repair, instead of having a close call with a potentially tragic outcome. BMW needs to recognize this negligence and repair my vehicle as cited in the recall notice/warranty. There needs to be better accountability to properly notify the consumer. Thank you for your attention and assistance with this matter.

Aug 22, 2025

Car stalled at 119,000 miles giving no service codes or indications of need for service. Car stalled again at 122,000 miles and would not restart. BMW specialist found high pressure fuel pump failure and contamination of all surrounding fuel system components. Research into this issue shows a systemic failure of the high pressure fuel pumps on these vehicles but this particular VIN number is not supported in the existing recall. The repair cost of the components is greater than the value of the vehicle, with no defect coverage from BMW.

May 5, 2025

High pressure fuel pump failed … theres a recall for some exact model of cars but mines not on the list

Nov 26, 2024 Fire

My car keeps indicating that my battery is low because it is discharging after car is turned off. I kept smelling a burning smell and finally discovered that my battery was burning a hole in my trunk lining. The battery has melted the plastic covering the positive terminal on the left side. And it was smoking on fire when I opened my trunk.

Oct 2, 2023

In July 2023, on the interstate in Des Moines during rush hour traffic, the car suddenly lurched once and abruptly stalled. We were in the passing lane with no chance to cross 3 lanes of traffic, so I coasted onto the left shoulder. We were towed to the BMW dealership where we were eventually informed of a “catastrophic” failure of the fuel system requiring complete replacement. This was not an ordinary fuel pump failure. There were no warning messages prior to the stall and when it did stall we were not warned to pull over safely in “limp mode”. Had we been in either of the center two lanes when it happened, we could have created a multi-car accident— which easily could have resulted in injuries or deaths. After several conversations with BMW of North America Customer Relations, I learned that some cars of this year, make and model have been recalled and others were issued an extended warranty (10 years or 120,000 mile— we were at 9 years and 125,000 miles). Despite my complaint and concern for the risks involved, BMW has chosen to do nothing further. By internet review, this fuel pump— the Bosch CP4— is a known problem in the United States.

Sep 25, 2023

BOSCH CP4 HPFP failed and released metal shavings throughout all fuel lines, injectors and gas tank. BMW had a recall for 12K vehicles but mine was not on the recall list and BMW cannot explain why given that my fuel pump exploded like so many other BOSCH CP4 pumps. I am not in at least 7K in repairs to replace all the fuel lines, pumps and injectors that the faulty part ruined. I believe BMW knew that these pumps were bad and did not notify all owners that had them in the car. My year, make, model and build date all fit into the recall notice but i was not included. BMW cannot explain why and will not agree to pay for the repair bills.

Mar 30, 2023

Vehicle stalled at 60mph in free way without giving any check engine lights. I barely was able to pull over safely which could have ended in a big accident. This is a High Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) failure as stated in recalls for these same vehicle model and years 2014-2018. Need to assure BMW takes responsibility for all vehicles to assure that this failure is avoided in all vehicles and not in some and prevent future potential accidents or death.

Oct 28, 2022

The high-pressure fuel pump on my 2014 BMW 535D failed while driving at 55 MPH, causing a sudden, and dangerous shut down of the vehicle. I was barely able to get the vehicle off the road and had to block one lane of traffic until the vehicle was towed away. The car lost power QUICK and then would not start back up after it shut off. This specific issue is listed for the exact year, make, and model of my vehicle, but all searches say my specific VIN is not affected. I believe my vehicle should absolutely be included under this recall. Two mechanics have inspected the system, including CROWNE BMW of GREENSBORO, NC. Crowne BMW of Greensboro states that there is metal debris found in the fuel tank, pointing to a failure of the high-pressure fuel pump. Not seeing any active recalls, a previous mechanic had replaced the fuel pump and 2 of the 6 injectors, but this did not remedy the issue. The car still does not function properly, constantly gives warning lights, and runs poorly, like it's starving for fuel. It is my belief that these metal shavings have contaminated and ruined the entire fuel system on my car and likely caused irreparable damage to the engine as well. I believe BMW should be responsible for this faulty fuel pump and thus, the damage to my entire fuel system and engine. I would hate for this issue to happen to someone else or a family on the highway and cause a serious injury or even a death.

Aug 20, 2022

there is an active recall on my current vehicle. i am in california and i cannot reregister until it is completed. recall states may cause fire. dealer states "no remedy available". so now i have a 5000lb paperweight in my driveway.

Aug 10, 2022

Fuel injectors not working check engine lights on. Car has 50,000 miles throwing fault 24BB00, recall for models a year after this one, with an extended warranty. The problem has been confirmed by two dealers and a garage. The car is presently at a BMW repair shop awaiting repair. why not this one?

Feb 23, 2022

High pressure fuel pump failure at 96k miles Cost over 2k to replace No symptoms just sudden catastrophic failure of cp4.2

Jan 23, 2022

In January of 2020 the car stopped running while driving down the highway without warning. Upon restart the check engine light and chassis stabilization warning lights came on. I had the car towed to BMW. I was given an estimate of $18,000 to replace the entire fuel system. The problem was a faulty fuel pump that put metal shavings into the pump and fuel system. This is a known BMW problem. In fact there's a recall on my exact model for this issue but my VIN was not included. I feel it should be. I contacted BMW North America but was told there's nothing they can do. This is a diesel engine with under 125,000 miles on it. This should not have happened.

May 19, 2020

MESSAGE COMES ON THE CONSOLE INDICATING DRIVETRAIN FAULT AND ABOUT 2 SECONDS LATER LOOSES ALL ENGINE POWER WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY. WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER AS THE TRAFFIC WAS VERY LIMITED ON THE ROAD. DIAGNOSIS BY BMW REPAIR SHOP IS THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAS FAILED. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

Jul 22, 2019

I RECEIVED SEVERAL SAFETY RECALL NOTICES FROM BMW OVER THE LAST 2 YEARS, EVERY TIME I CALL BMW, I AM TOLD "THE NECESSARY PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE". I HAVE AN ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY EGR COOLER MALFUNCTION. REALLY FRUSTRATED ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED BY BMW.

Mileage: 41,000

Nov 12, 2018

THE CAR'S ENGINEER LIGHT CAME ON, SO IT WAS SENT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THE INDICATED REPAIR ITEM WAS A CONTROL SENSOR. I PICKED UP THE CAR AFTER REPAIR IN THE MORNING OF 11/7. THE CAR WAS DRIVING FINE. AROUND LUNCH TIME THE SAME DAY, JUST AS I WAS GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE STARTED TO SPUTTER VIOLENTLY. LUCKILY, I WAS STILL ON THE RIGHT LANE. I QUICKLY TURNED TOWARDS THE SHOULDER BEFORE THE CAR DIED COMPLETELY. ALL OF THIS HAPPENED WITHIN LESS THAN A MINUTE. THE CAR CAN NOT BE PUT TO NEUTRAL TO BE MOVED. THE EMERGENCY LIGHT ONLY CAME ON FOR AROUND 10 MINUTES BEFORE IT WAS TOTALLY SHUT OFF. THE SHOULDER WAS VERY NARROW, SO MY CAR WAS STILL PARTIALLY ON THE RIGHT LANE. MANY CARS CAME FROM BEHIND AT >60MPH SPEED. I FEEL THAT I WAS IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION UNTIL HIGH PATROL CAME TO SECURE THE LANE, WHICH WAS ABOUT 40 MINUTES LATER. IF THIS HAPPENED AFTER I SWITCHED TO THE MIDDLE LANE, WITHOUT EVEN EMERGENCY LIGHT TO WARN THE CARS BEHIND, I THINK I WOULD BE DEAD BY NOW. THE CAR IS IN THE DEALERSHIP. THEY ARE SAYING IT IS THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE.

Mileage: 45,638

Oct 3, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BMW 535D. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND COULD NOT BE MOVED OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME AND THEN TO THE DEALER (PACIFIC BMW, 800 S BRAND BLVD, GLENDALE, CA 91204, (818) 246-5600). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A FAULTY HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, WHICH RELEASED METAL FRAGMENTS THROUGH THE SYSTEM. THE TOTAL REPAIR COST WOULD BE BETWEEN $14,000 AND $16,000. THE MANUFACTURER SENT A NOTICE TO THE CONTACT STATING THAT THE FAULTY FUEL PUMP WAS A KNOWN FAILURE AND THAT A SPECIAL ITEM SPECIFIC WARRANTY WOULD BE ISSUED FOR SEVEN YEARS OR 100,000 MILES. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND STATED THAT HE NO LONGER WANTED THE VEHICLE. A CASE MANAGER WAS ASSIGNED, BUT HAD NOT YET CALLED THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,869.

Mileage: 78,869

Aug 25, 2017

THE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM IN MY CAR FAILED AT 70MPH ON A CROWDED HIGHWAY ON 8/24/2017. THE DASHBOARD ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. THE CAR COASTED TO A STOP IN A DANGEROUS LOCATION. THERE WAS NO WAY FOR THE CAR TO BE PUT INTO NEUTRAL SO THAT IT COULD BE PUSHED TO A SAFE LOCATION. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED IN ONE OF THESE CARS IF BMW ISN'T MADE TO FIX THE PROBLEM

Mileage: 51,000

Nov 5, 2015

I HIT A PIECE OF TRUCK TIRE DEBRIS ON I-495N IN MARLBORO MA AT NIGHT AND I WAS UNABLE TO STOP AND INSPECT FOR DAMAGE DUE TO HEAVY TRAFFIC. ALL SEEMED OK. 15 MINUTES LATER IN CHELMSFORD MA, THE CAR GAVE "DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION, REDUCED POWER, DRIVE GENTLY" MESSAGE AND CONTINUED TO LOSE POWER AND SLOW DOWN. I PULLED OVER SAFELY TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE AND THEN THE ENGINE STOPPED AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED AGAIN. TIRE DEBRIS FROM EARLIER RUPTURED PART OF THE FUEL SYSTEM AND CAUSED THE CAR TO DUMP DIESEL FUEL ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE ENGINE EVENTUALLY STOPPED DUE TO RUNNING OUT OF FUEL. GIVEN THAT THE CAR HAS ALL-WHEEL DRIVE (AWD), A FLATBED TRUCK IS REQUIRED FOR TOWING. NO OTHER TOW METHOD IS ALLOWED. THIS REQUIRES BEING ABLE TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL (N) WHILE THE CAR IS DISABLED AND RELEASE THE PARKING BRAKE IN ORDER TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. THE PARKING BRAKE (ELECTRIC CONTROL) WAS ABLE TO BE RELEASED BUT THERE IS NO EASY WAY AND NO DOCUMENTATION READILY AVAILABLE TO OVERRIDE THE ELECTRONIC SHIFT INTERLOCK FOR THE TRANSMISSION. THE CAR IS UNABLE TO BE PUSHED, TOWED, OR ROLLED WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO GET THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL WHILE THE CAR IS DISABLED. PLACING THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL NORMALLY REQUIRES STARTING THE ENGINE FIRST WHICH WAS NOT POSSIBLE DUE TO NO FUEL AND THERE IS NO MANUAL OVERRIDE OR DOCUMENTED PROCEDURE AVAILABLE TO OVERRIDE THE INTERLOCK SO THAT THE CAR CAN BE MOVED WHILE DISABLED. THE FLATBED TRUCK OPERATOR HAD TO GET CREATIVE AND SKID THE CAR ONTO THE FLATBED IN ORDER TO PICK IT UP. THE DISTURBING THING ABOUT THIS INCIDENT IS THAT THE ELECTRONIC SHIFT CONTROL FOR THE TRANSMISSION HAS NO OVERRIDE FOR THE INTERLOCK FOR MOVING THE VEHICLE WHEN DISABLED. OLDER CARS HAD A MECHANICAL LINK BETWEEN THE SHIFT LEVER AND TRANSMISSION SO A MANUAL OVERRIDE WAS EASY TO DO. NEW CARS NOW HAVE ALL ELECTRONIC CONTROLS INSTEAD OF A MECHANICAL LINKAGE.

Mileage: 58,500