BMW 550i Problems by Year

We compared every BMW 550i model year from 2006–2016 using 250 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 11 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2011, 2012, 2007 and 2008, which drew far more complaints than other 550i years at the same age. The best years are 2016, 2014 and 2015.

10model years
250complaints
11recalls
2011, 2012worst years
2016, 2014best years

Complaints by model year

200620072008201020112012201320142015201623373211843515661
Owner complaints per model year, BMW 550i. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
20161−82%2EngineGood
20156−59%—Fuel SystemGood
20146−71%2Fuel SystemGood
201315−24%1EngineAverage
2012352.5×2Fuel SystemAvoid
2011845.3×3EngineAvoid
201011−35%1EngineAverage
2008321.8×2ElectricalCaution
2007372.3×2AirbagAvoid
2006231.3×3AirbagAverage

* Complaints compared with the median 550i year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common BMW 550i problems

  • Engine & coolingworst: 2011
    7731%
  • Fuel & propulsion systemworst: 2011
    4418%
  • Electrical systemworst: 2011
    4317%
  • Wheels & tiresworst: 2011
    4016%
  • Air bagsworst: 2006
    3414%
  • Transmission & drivetrainworst: 2011
    3313%
  • Lightsworst: 2008
    187%
  • Other / not specified
    177%
  • Steeringworst: 2007
    146%
  • Brakesworst: 2011
    125%
  • Seat beltsworst: 2008
    94%
  • Suspensionworst: 2008
    73%
  • Speed control & accelerationworst: 2011
    52%
  • Seatsworst: 2013
    42%
  • Body & structureworst: 2011
    42%
  • Stability & traction controlworst: 2011
    42%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroofworst: 2011
    31%
  • Equipment & accessoriesworst: 2007
    10%

Latest BMW 550i recalls

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 24V-527 · Jul 11, 2024 · 1,145 vehicles

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2015 6 Series Gran Coupe, 2014 5 Series Gran Turismo, 2014 5 Series Sedan, 2015 6 Series Convertible, 2015 6 Series Coupe, 2014 X5, 2013-2014 X3, 2014-2015 3 Series Sedan, 2014 4 Series Coupe, 2014 4 Series Convertible, 2014 3 Series Gran Turismo, and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe…

Remedy: The driver's front air bag will be replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Engine and engine cooling › Engine

NHTSA recall 18V-248 · Apr 18, 2018 · 47,806 vehicles

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S…

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time.

Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classification

NHTSA recall 17V-428 · Jul 6, 2017 · 2,158 vehicles

BMW of North America, Inc. (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, and 550i vehicles equipped with the Sport Seat option and certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i vehicles with standard seats.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 1, 2017.

Air bags

NHTSA recall 16V-914 · Dec 20, 2016 · 3,506 vehicles

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2017 BMW 640i, 640i xDrive, 650i, 650i xDrive, M6, 535i, 535i xDrive, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, i3, i8, Rolls-Royce Dawn, Mini Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Cooper All4, Cooper S All4, Mini 4-Door Cooper, Cooper S,…

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive

NHTSA recall 16V-832 · Nov 17, 2016 · 91 vehicles

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2011 BMW 528i, 528xi, 535i, 535xi, 550i and 550xi vehicles manufactured March 1, 2010, through August 31, 2011. The affected vehicles may have received a replacement Sensor Cluster Unit (SCU) during a service visit.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the SCU, free of charge. The recall began on December 16, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

All 11 BMW 550i recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the BMW 550i should you avoid?

2011, 2012, 2007 and 2008 — these years have the most complaints relative to other 550i years at the same age, led by engine & cooling problems in the 2011.

What is the best year for the BMW 550i?

2016 has the fewest complaints compared with other 550i years at the same age, followed by 2014 and 2015. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common BMW 550i problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (77), fuel & propulsion system (44) and electrical system (43). Engine complaints peak in the 2011 model year.

How many recalls has the BMW 550i had?

11 recalls across 2006–2016. The model year with the most is 2006. See all BMW 550i recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.