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BMW 550iYears to avoid, problems & recalls

Based on 253 NHTSA owner complaints across 11 model years, no BMW 550i year stands out as one to avoid, and the strongest years are 2007, 2008 and 2012. The 550i has 11 safety recalls on record.

BMW 550i
Years to avoidNoneUse caution: 2011Best years'07 '08 '12Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints253Top: EngineSafety recalls112006–2016 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Best & worst years

BMW 550i years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 550i median. Tap a year for its full report.

'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2016Not rated–/1001 complaint · 2 recalls2015Not rated–/1006 complaints · 0 recalls2014Not rated–/1006 complaints · 2 recalls2013Not rated–/10015 complaints · 1 recall2012Solid53/10036 complaints · 2 recalls2011Caution29/10084 complaints · 3 recalls2010Not rated–/10011 complaints · 1 recall2009Not rated–/1002 complaints · 1 recall2008Solid51/10032 complaints · 2 recalls2007Solid49/10037 complaints · 2 recalls2006Not rated–/10023 complaints · 3 recalls
Complaints by system

Most common BMW 550i problems

All model years combined: 253 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine739
Electrical system4311
Fuel/propulsion system376
Air bags346
Power train332
Tires300
Wheels200
Exterior lighting182
Steering141
13 other systems648
11 recalls

BMW 550i recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

43%Driver side: inflator module24V-527 · 2014 · Jul 11, 2024 · 1,145 vehicles66%Engine and engine cooling: engine18V-248 · 2011–2012 · Apr 18, 2018 · 47,806 vehicles30%Sensor: occupant classification17V-428 · 2006 · Jul 6, 2017 · 2,158 vehicles87%Air bags16V-914 · 2016 · Dec 20, 2016 · 3,506 vehicles63%Frontal: sensor/control module-inactive16V-832 · 2011 · Nov 17, 2016 · 91 vehicles52%Delivery: fuel pump16V-746 · 2011–2012 · Oct 17, 2016 · 136,188 vehicles83%Child seat15V-718 · 2016 · Oct 30, 2015 · 7,162 vehicles69%Exterior lighting15V-188 · 2013–2014 · Mar 31, 2015 · 13,443 vehicles45%Sensor: occupant classification13V-564 · 2006–2007 · Nov 12, 2013 · 76,565 vehicles75%Exterior lighting: tail lights13V-407 · 2008–2010 · Sep 11, 2013 · 134,100 vehicles–Engine and engine cooling07V-479 · 2006–2008 · Oct 12, 2007 · 29,250 vehicles
2 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the 550i

  1. Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureEA21002 · 2014–2017 · still open
    Open
  2. BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATIONEA08001 · 2006 · closed Dec 31, 2008
    Led to recall 08V-384