MajorCommonEngine

BMW 4 Series: N55 high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure

N55 high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure is a common engine fault on the BMW 4 Series on the 2013–2016 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $1,200 to $2,300 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 20 documented faults on the BMW 4 Series.

Vehicle: BMW 4 Series
Engine: N55
Years: 2013–2016
Fuel: petrol
Gearbox: auto
System: Engine

This page covers the BMW 4 Series as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All BMW 4 Series faults20 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the High-pressure fuel pump yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

The N55 3.0T single-turbo engine in the 435i is susceptible to high-pressure fuel pump failure, a known pattern carried over from the N54. The pump's internal roller follower mechanism wears against the camshaft lobe, causing fuelling instability. BMW extended warranty coverage in some markets following widespread failures. Aftermarket upgraded roller follower units are widely available as a preventive repair.

What you would notice

Hard cold starts with longer-than-normal cranking
Rough idle and misfires under light throttle
Hesitation or stumble during acceleration
Fault codes P0087, P1093 or P0191 (fuel rail pressure below specification)

How to check it

Where to look. High-pressure fuel pump on top of the N55 engine, driven directly by the exhaust camshaft

Observe cold-start behaviour on first crank. Ask about any recent fuel system work or warranty repairs. The N55 HPFP is driven off the exhaust camshaft. If a workshop inspection is possible: Check for stored fuel pressure fault codes with a BMW-capable scan tool.

Parts involved: High-pressure fuel pump.

What it costs to put right

$1,200 to $2,300 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“Has the HPFP or the roller follower ever been replaced or inspected?”
“Does the car start cleanly on the first crank when cold?”
“Have any fuel pressure fault codes appeared?”

Now check the BMW 4 Series you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

BMW 4 Series buyer questions

Is n55 high-pressure fuel pump (hpfp) failure serious on a BMW 4 Series?

We rate it major and common on the BMW 4 Series. The N55 3.0T single-turbo engine in the 435i is susceptible to high-pressure fuel pump failure, a known pattern carried over from the N54. The pump's internal roller follower mechanism wears against the camshaft lobe, causing fuelling instability. BMW extended warranty coverage in some markets following widespread failures. Aftermarket upgraded roller follower units are widely available as a preventive repair.

How much does it cost to fix on a BMW 4 Series?

$1,200 to $2,300 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which BMW 4 Series years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2013–2016 BMW 4 Series. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.