BMW X5 Fuel Sensor Failure Causing Multiple Malfunctions

I had a similar issue with my 2012 BMW X3 last summer. The symptoms were identical, stuck fuel gauge, check engine light, and stalling issues. Initially thought it was just the fuel level sensor, but turned out more complex. My mechanic found multiple issues: a blown fuel pump fuse, faulty fuel level sensor, and the fuel pump itself was failing. The fuse was a quick fix, but the sensor and pump needed replacement. It was definitely a serious repair job since the entire fuel tank had to be dropped. The whole ordeal took about 2 days at the shop. If you're getting fuel system codes, I'd strongly suggest having both the sensor and pump checked. These components often fail together in these models. Would recommend finding a BMW specialist rather than a general mechanic, they'll know exactly where to look and what to test. After the repairs, all issues were resolved, no more stalling, gauge works perfectly, and engine light cleared. Just make sure to get a detailed inspection before authorizing repairs.

Thanks for sharing your experience, that's really helpful! My symptoms sound exactly like what you went through with your X3. Good point about checking both the sensor and pump, makes total sense they could be related. Just wondering, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for everything? Also, has everything been running smoothly since the repair, or have you noticed any other issues pop up?

Hey there! Happy to give you an update since everything worked out great with my X3. In my case, it turned out to be simpler than expected, just the fuel level sensor and a blown fuse. The mechanic replaced the faulty fuse for 52 € and fixed the sensor issue. Much cheaper than I initially feared, especially since I was worried about needing a new fuel pump too! Everything's been running perfectly smooth since the repair, no more stuck fuel gauge, no engine light, and definitely no stalling. It's such a relief not having to guess how much fuel is in the tank anymore! The repair was done about 8 months ago, and I haven't had a single issue with the fuel system since. I definitely lucked out compared to what I mentioned in my first post, as it ended up being less complicated than I initially thought. Honestly, the peace of mind was worth every penny. Hope you get yours sorted just as easily!

That's a huge relief to hear it was a simpler fix for you! I finally got my X5 checked out today, and wow, what a different experience from my last mechanic. Found a specialist who really knew BMWs, and they diagnosed it properly right away. Turned out I needed the fuel level sensor replaced too, plus they found a loose connection in the wiring that was causing some of the problems. The whole thing set me back about 400 bucks, but honestly, I'm just glad it wasn't the fuel pump. They had me in and out in a day, and the car's running like a dream now. The fuel gauge is working perfectly, no more stalling, and that annoying check engine light is finally off. Just drove it around for a few hours to test everything out, and it feels great to not worry about out of nowhere stalling anymore. Thanks again for sharing your experience, it really helped me know what to expect and ask the right questions at the shop.