Defective Fuel Pump Makes BMW Recall 136,000 Cars In The US

Owners of specific US-registered BMWs might have noticed a fuel leak or experienced engine stalling in extreme cases.

The brand's North American branch is aware of these problems and so is the NHTSA. According to the latter, the in-tank fuel pump can fail because "pin contacts of the connector of the pump may be insufficiently crimped", causing "increased contact resistance", and leading to "heating of the contact pins during fuel pump operation".

There is a long list of BMW cars affected by this condition and it includes the 2007-2011 X5 3.0si, X5 4.8i, X5 M, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, and X5 xDrive50i, in addition to the 2008-2011 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M and 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid. The 2010-2011 535i xDrive GT, 535i GT, 550i xDrive GT and 550i GT are also on the list, along with the 2011-2012 528i, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive and 2012 535i. Certain 2012 640i, 650i and 650i xDrive Convertibles will have to be taken back to the dealers as well, along with the 2012 650i and 650i xDrive Coupes.

BMW will start notifying owners of the aforementioned models soon, and technicians will replace the fuel pumps free of charge, from December 5.