Vehicle recall R/2018/215

BMW M5 recall: Distance between sensor and in-tank fuel line could be too small

DVSA recall R/2018/215 names the BMW M5. It was launched 10 August 2018. It covers vehicles built 16 January 2018 to 24 May 2018.

Recall data updated 22 September 2026

Recall: R/2018/215
Launched: 10 August 2018
Issued by: BMW
Manufacturer reference: 0016380200
Vehicles: 274 across the lines below

What can go wrong

The fault affects the fuel level sensor within the fuel tank.The distance between the sensor and an in-tank fuel line could be too small which could allow the sensor to contact the fuel line and in some cases become stuck. If the fuel sensor becomes stuck the fuel gauge in the instrument cluster displays a larger amount of fuel than is actually in the tank. Therefore the tank could become empty leading to the engine stalling without prior warning.

The fix

On the affected vehicles the fuel line supply unit system will be reworked.

Models and build dates

As listed in the DVSA recall file. Vehicle numbers are DVSA figures for each line.
Model	Built	Vehicles
BMW M5	16 January 2018 to 24 May 2018	274

Is a specific car affected? A recall lists models and build dates, not individual vehicles, so these pages cannot tell you whether one car is included. Enter the registration on the DVSA vehicle recall checker on GOV.UK, or give the vehicle identification number (VIN) to the manufacturer or one of its dealers. Buying used? Ask the seller for proof that any recall work was done.

Other recalls for these models

R/2019/369 The flange of the high pressure fuel pumps may not have been attached to the cylinder head correctly 24 July 2019, BMW 8 Series, BMW M5
R/2019/443 Incorrect routing of the gearbox wiring harness 3 February 2020, BMW M8, BMW M5
R/2021/442 The material quality of the screws used for seat belts and rear seats may not be to specifications. 29 December 2021, BMW i3, BMW M5, BMW 2 Series and others
R/2022/257 Screw connections of some seats and seatbelts may not have been properly tightened during vehicle production 22 August 2022, BMW M5, BMW 5 Series
R/2024/383 Integrated Braking System 13 September 2024, BMW 1 Series, BMW X5, BMW X6 and others
R/2024/409 Replace Double Universal Joint (Steering) 21 October 2024, BMW 5 Series, BMW 7 Series, BMW M5

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Source

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA vehicle recall records (RecallsFile.csv), recalls launched 1992 to 2026. Recall data updated 22 September 2026.

Recall wording is DVSA's, with capitals and punctuation tidied and American spellings such as tire, center and windshield given in British English. We list a recall when its make and model match a car or van family with at least 1,000 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2025, and when the maker of the vehicle issued it.

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