BMW Issues RECALL for HPFP

For years (since 2008), and from thousands of current users, we have heard and experienced directly the issue w the High Pressure Fuel Pump used in the 135i, 335i, 535i, and X6 models.  The HPFP was a new unit required to supply the much higher fuel pressure required by the “direct injection” system on the N54 motor (and also now on the new N55 single turbo motor).  However, all the complaints and submissions to the Highway Traffic Board feel on deaf ears until a special aired this week on Good Morning America about the issue.  Within hours, BMW issued a press release, and announced a RECALL for the owners of those cars.   Here is the text of the BMW press release –

BMW to Conduct Voluntary Emissions and Safety Recalls

* 26.10.2010
* Press Release

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – October 26, 2010… BMW of North America has notified the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of its intent to conduct a voluntary recall of some model year 2007-2010 BMWs equipped with twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engines, all of which feature BMW’s High Precision Injection direct fuel injection system. It has also asked for approval from the California Air Resources Board to conduct this action. Affected vehicles may experience a failure of the high-pressure fuel pump.

Symptoms include long-crank engine starting times along with the illumination of the “Service Engine Soon” light. In certain cases, the driver may experience reduced engine performance in a Safe Mode accompanied by a tone and the illumination of the “Engine Malfunction” light.

Based on the individual service history of the vehicle, the action will entail replacement of the high-pressure fuel pump and/or a software update.

Approximately 130,000 vehicles are potentially affected with about 40,000 expected to require a new high pressure fuel pump. Affected BMW models include:

In a separate action, BMW has notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that it will voluntarily recall approximately 20,800 MY 2008 X5 Sports Activity Vehicles equipped with normally-aspirated inline six-cylinder engines to replace the low-pressure fuel pump. In this case, should the fuel pump experience a failure, the engine will stop running and the driver will lose power assist for the steering and brakes although both the steering and the brakes remain operational.

Letters will be sent by First Class mail to owners of affected vehicles in the coming weeks, requesting the scheduling of a service appointment with an Authorized BMW Center to have the update performed.

No injuries have been reported with either of these issues.

In the case of either issue, if the customer experiences a problem, they should contact their authorized BMW Center. Customers with additional questions should contact BMW Customer Relations at 1-800-563-4269 or email CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

We (BRracing) had this issue with our BMW E82 135i project car.  The fix normally includes the replacement of both the HPFP and a software update (which will decrease the power of the motor so as to less stress the motor and pump).  Some owners have experienced this issue as many as 3 times on their same car, and some have seen the issue rear its head as early as 3,000 miles on the car.  BMW has created three versions of the pump (the latest version shown in the pic above, which is model 933), and are still experiencing failures.   See your dealer about this issue if you own one of the affected cars.

BRracing – performance at the limit  (and with 2 cars on the podium from the recent Global Tuner Grand Prix ….woo hoo).