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2016 BMW X5 Fuel system Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Fuel system reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
9
Latest Feb 23, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
13%
of 70 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2016 BMW X5 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 9 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming fuel system

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Feb 23, 2026

The component that failed appears to be the hybrid propulsion and charging system, including the high-voltage battery management system and/or integrated charging electronics. The vehicle will not accept a charge from any home or public charging source. The high-voltage battery was replaced approximately one year ago; however, the charging failure persists. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. In addition to the charging failure, the vehicle displayed drivetrain malfunction and start/stop malfunction warnings. While driving on the highway at normal speed, the vehicle lost power and stopped, creating a hazardous situation in active traffic. This sudden loss of propulsion placed my safety and the safety of other drivers at risk, as surrounding vehicles were traveling at highway speeds. Prior to the failure, warning messages appeared intermittently, including charging system faults and start/stop malfunction alerts. These warnings began approximately one year ago around the time the charging issue started. The vehicle was previously serviced and the high-voltage battery was replaced; however, the underlying issue was not corrected. The root cause is UNKNOWN, but the symptoms suggest a failure within the hybrid control system, charging module, DC-DC converter, or related electrical components. The failure has been persistent and unresolved. I am concerned that defects within the hybrid propulsion system may lead to additional sudden loss of power events.

NHTSA ID
11719865
Incident
Dec 16, 2025
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Dec 26, 2025

Subject: Consequential Damage and Failure of Remedy regarding Recall 24V-608 Incident Description: "I am reporting a failure of the manufacturer to provide an effective remedy for Safety Recall 24V-608 (Electric Water Pump) and subsequent consequential damage to the High-Voltage battery system. In September 2023, at approximately 78,000 miles, this vehicle exhibited 'Drivetrain Malfunctions' including Fault Code 0x222626 (EME: internal fault - active short circuit requested) and 0x22271C (Overvoltage in intermediate circuit). The BMW dealer (Fields BMW) failed to diagnose the root cause and instructed me to 'keep driving'. Since the release of Recall 24V-608, it is clear these 2023 faults were early indicators of the coolant pump short-circuiting. This persistent electrical instability has now resulted in a permanent failure of Cell Supervision Circuit #3, causing the high-voltage contactors to open and leaving the vehicle disabled. The dealer is currently attempting to charge for diagnostics and battery removal. I am asserting that the lack of a timely remedy for the coolant pump (which was only recently shielded per the recall) caused a power surge that 'fried' the internal battery circuitry. This is a safety issue as the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of propulsion while in motion. I request that NHTSA investigate BMW’s refusal to cover battery failures caused by the electrical interference of the recalled coolant pump."

NHTSA ID
11707138
Incident
Sep 23, 2023
Fuel system
Filed Jun 5, 2025

High pressure fuel pump replaced after the original recall and fail again 45k miles later during driving.

NHTSA ID
11665204
Incident
Apr 25, 2025
Fuel system
Filed Apr 30, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 BMW X5. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V586000 (Fuel System, Diesel); however, the repair failed to prevent the failure from occurring. The contact stated that on three separate occasions, the same recall failure had occurred. The vehicle was towed to the same local dealer where it was diagnosed with a fuel pump failure due to debris inside the fuel pump. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,239.

NHTSA ID
11657914
Incident
May 4, 2018
Mileage
40,239 mi
Fuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 22, 2024

Fuel injectors, transfer case prop shaft

NHTSA ID
11621362
Incident
Oct 21, 2024
Fuel system
Filed Sep 30, 2024

The contact owns a 2016 BMW X5. The contact stated while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The message "Drivetrain Failure" was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the high-pressure fuel pump had failed. The contact stated that the fuel system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 129,000.

NHTSA ID
11617222
Incident
Sep 24, 2024
Mileage
129,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 18, 2023

The engine light came on while I was 250 miles from home and on a Saturday. Was able to contact my dealer's service department who said to drive home and just monitor for any issues and hopefully it will be ok. I brought the vehicle in for diagnostic check following week. Faults were for the diesel particulate filter sensor and recommended $1300. replacement. They couldn't tell me if this part would impair the driving ability of the vehicle, but the cost seemed excessive for a sensor so I haven't made the repair yet (nor driven far) pending checking more into this. They said the vehicle may go into limp mode at any time which would be a safety issue. This sensor has been on a limited warranty extension-10 years/120,000 miles for the same model/engine as mine for 2014-2015 models (mine is 2016). [XXX] with 2016 X3 added in 2019. I have to ask why the 2016 yr with a faulty sensor like mine is not part of this extended warranty?? My vehicle has 80K miles and 8 yrs old.and the dealer says the part is faulty. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11550584
Incident
Aug 30, 2023
Fuel system
Filed Aug 1, 2022

The contact owns a 2016 BMW X5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V907000 (Fuel System, Diesel) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available

NHTSA ID
11476886
Incident
Aug 1, 2022
Fuel system
Filed Nov 4, 2017

ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER STICKER BMW X5 5.0 GETS 15/21MPG. I WISH I GET ANYWHERE NEAR THAT. I GET ABOUT 11 AVERAGE MPG. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER TWICE AND I CALLED BMW NORTH AMERICA AND THEY SAID THAT IS THE WAY IT IS. YOU WILL NEVER GET WHAT YOU SEE ON THE STICKER. SO WHEN YOU BUY A CAR NEVER TRUST WHAT THEY SAY ON THE STICKER PRICE.

NHTSA ID
11043266
Incident
Oct 26, 2017
Mileage
5,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .