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2011 BMW 550I

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

62 reports with mileage · 22 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports11 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

84 reports
55,000 miles · Oct 24, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion SystemFire

THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD MULTIPLE RECALLS. THE LATEST ONE WAS CAMPAIGN NO. 18V-248. BMW HAS YET TO DO ANYTHING FOR MY VEHICLE, EVEN AFTER IT BURNT ITSELF TO THE GROUND AND A PORTION OF MY HOME. THEY DID NOT ADD ANY EXPLANATION OR ATTEMPT TO INVESTIGATE THIS SITUATION. IT IS STILL UNDEFINED HOW THIS VEHICLE LIT ITSELF ON FIRE AS …

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THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD MULTIPLE RECALLS. THE LATEST ONE WAS CAMPAIGN NO. 18V-248. BMW HAS YET TO DO ANYTHING FOR MY VEHICLE, EVEN AFTER IT BURNT ITSELF TO THE GROUND AND A PORTION OF MY HOME. THEY DID NOT ADD ANY EXPLANATION OR ATTEMPT TO INVESTIGATE THIS SITUATION. IT IS STILL UNDEFINED HOW THIS VEHICLE LIT ITSELF ON FIRE AS IT WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF SITTING IN MY GARAGE, AFTER JUST BEING DRIVEN 5-10 MINUTES BEFORE THE FIRE STARTED.

NHTSA ODI #11142514

83,900 miles · Oct 22, 2018
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

ENGINE OVERHEATING,BURNING A LOT OF OIL,ALSO HAVING ISSUES WITH THE SPARK PLUG AND COILS,HAVING MISFIRES FOR THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HEAT EXPANDING GASKETS ALLOWING OIL TO REACH SPARK PLUGS LOOSING POWERTRAIN WHILE DRIVING CAUSING CAR TO SLOW DOWN,THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME IN THE LAST 2 YEARS THAT WE HAVE THIS ISSUE,ALSO HAVING ISS…

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ENGINE OVERHEATING,BURNING A LOT OF OIL,ALSO HAVING ISSUES WITH THE SPARK PLUG AND COILS,HAVING MISFIRES FOR THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HEAT EXPANDING GASKETS ALLOWING OIL TO REACH SPARK PLUGS LOOSING POWERTRAIN WHILE DRIVING CAUSING CAR TO SLOW DOWN,THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME IN THE LAST 2 YEARS THAT WE HAVE THIS ISSUE,ALSO HAVING ISSUES WITH WATER COMING INTO THE RIGHT SIDE BACK SEAT UNABLE TO PINPOINT THE PLACE WHERE WATER IS COMING IN FROM.

NHTSA ODI #11141740

137,000 miles · Aug 22, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineStructureFire

VEHICLE STATIONARY FOR OVER 3 HOURS, PARKED IN A PARKING LOT (WORK LOCATION) AND BURST INTO FLAMES UNDER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. 8-22-18; 12:30 PM. BEAVERTON, OREGON FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED AND PUT FIRE OUT. SEE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT

NHTSA ODI #11121721

80,000 miles · Jul 30, 2018
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 550I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL AND DRIVE TRAIN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VALLEY AUTO WORLD BMW (3822 SYCAMORE DAIRY RD, FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28303, 910-864-0000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW IGNITION COIL, INLET HOSE, AND RETURN HOSE WERE NEEDED. THE VEHICLE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 550I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL AND DRIVE TRAIN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VALLEY AUTO WORLD BMW (3822 SYCAMORE DAIRY RD, FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28303, 910-864-0000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW IGNITION COIL, INLET HOSE, AND RETURN HOSE WERE NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD CALL THE CONTACT BACK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #11114661

99,247 miles · Jul 16, 2018
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 550I. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE "ADD COOLANT" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ADDED COOLANT, BUT THE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AGAIN APPROXIMATELY 30 DAYS LATER. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED VIA PHONE AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE MANUFA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 550I. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE "ADD COOLANT" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ADDED COOLANT, BUT THE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AGAIN APPROXIMATELY 30 DAYS LATER. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED VIA PHONE AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,247.

NHTSA ODI #11111705

Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2018
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 550I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V248000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (BMW OF ANNAPOLIS, 31 OLD MILL BOTTOM RD, ANNAPOLIS, MD 21409, (410) 349-9312)…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 550I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V248000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (BMW OF ANNAPOLIS, 31 OLD MILL BOTTOM RD, ANNAPOLIS, MD 21409, (410) 349-9312) WAS UNABLE TO VERIFY WHEN THE REMEDY AND PARTS WOULD BE SUPPLIED FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11101313

60,000 miles · Apr 10, 2018
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 550I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER (GLOBAL IMPORTS BMW, 500 INTERSTATE N PKWY, ATLANTA, GA 30339, (800) 294-1853) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLAC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 550I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER (GLOBAL IMPORTS BMW, 500 INTERSTATE N PKWY, ATLANTA, GA 30339, (800) 294-1853) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #11084296

120,000 miles · Apr 9, 2018
Fuel/propulsion SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 550I. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, A FUEL ODOR WAS DETECTED IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS SMOKE IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REP…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 550I. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS, A FUEL ODOR WAS DETECTED IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS SMOKE IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CRITZ BMW SAVANNAH (7009 ABERCORN ST, SAVANNAH, GA 31406) WHERE IT WAS AGAIN DIAGNOSED WITH A FUEL PUMP FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V746000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #11083997

98,000 miles · Dec 17, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System

REGARDING: N63 FUEL PUMP FAILURE ON 2011 BMW 550I GT VIN # [XXX] DEAR NHTSA RECENTLY I HAD A SERIOUS ISSUE RELATING TO THE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM ON MY 2011 BMW 550I GT. I WAS ACCELERATING ON A BUSY FREEWAY RAMP WITH MY TWO YOUNG SONS ABOARD, AND MY CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE. THIS PUT US IN A PRECARIOUS SITUATION WHEN AT THE …

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REGARDING: N63 FUEL PUMP FAILURE ON 2011 BMW 550I GT VIN # [XXX] DEAR NHTSA RECENTLY I HAD A SERIOUS ISSUE RELATING TO THE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM ON MY 2011 BMW 550I GT. I WAS ACCELERATING ON A BUSY FREEWAY RAMP WITH MY TWO YOUNG SONS ABOARD, AND MY CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE. THIS PUT US IN A PRECARIOUS SITUATION WHEN AT THE MOMENT I NEEDED BRISK ACCELERATION, MY CAR WAS UNABLE TO ACHIEVE EVEN 40MPH. IT ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO GET THIS ISSUE SERVICED AT BMW OF SAN FRANCISCO SINCE THIS IS MY DAILY DRIVER. WHEN ALL WAS SAID AND DONE THE BILL CAME TO A LITTLE OVER $2100 WHICH INCLUDED ABOUT $450 IN DIAGNOSTICS. NOW THAT THE DUST HAS HAD A CHANCE TO SETTLE, I'D LIKE SOME RECOMPENSE ON THE FOLLOWING ISSUES. 'THE HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE IS SAFETY RELATED AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE SAME WARRANTY AS THE LOW-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WHICH CARRIES AN EXTENDED 10-YEAR WARRANTY ON THESE CARS AND, WHICH ALSO HAS A TENDENCY TO FAIL AT INOPPORTUNE MOMENTS 'IN CLOSING, THIS CAR WAS ALWAYS SERVICED AT THE DEALER, AND WENT THROUGH THE CUSTOMER CARE PROGRAM A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. I FEEL THAT BMW SHOULD ALSO COVER THESE FUEL PUMPS AS PART OF THIS PROGRAM AND I'M ASKING FOR YOU TO REFUND THE COST OF THIS SERVICE. 'PLEASE REGISTER MY COMPLAINT, IF ENOUGH PEOPLE EXPERIENCE THIS ISSUE AND REGISTER EACH INCIDENT, BMW HAS A CUSTOMER REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM AND I WOULD BE ABLE TO GET MY $2086.25 BACK FOR THIS SAFETY RELATED REPAIR. [XXX], MONTARA ,CA INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

NHTSA ODI #11055137

85,000 miles · Nov 13, 2017
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion SystemFire

OUR CAR'S ELECTRICAL PANEL LIT UP BEFORE THE CAR STALLED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME, BMW REPLACE THE BATTERY. THE SECOND TIME, BMW REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR. 12 DAYS AFTER BEING SERVICED BY BMW, OUR HOUSE BURNED DOWN DUE TO A FIRE ORIGINATING ON THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE BMW. THAT AFTERNOON, MY HUSBAND HAD COME …

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OUR CAR'S ELECTRICAL PANEL LIT UP BEFORE THE CAR STALLED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME, BMW REPLACE THE BATTERY. THE SECOND TIME, BMW REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR. 12 DAYS AFTER BEING SERVICED BY BMW, OUR HOUSE BURNED DOWN DUE TO A FIRE ORIGINATING ON THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE BMW. THAT AFTERNOON, MY HUSBAND HAD COME HOME FROM WORK, PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE, AND TURNED IT OFF. THE FIRE STARTED WITHIN 30MINUTES OF BEING SHUT OFF AND PARKED. WE RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL INFORMING US OUR BMW WAS UNDER RECALL FOR A MALFUNCTIONING FUEL PUMP INJECTOR.

NHTSA ODI #11045596

Official recalls

3

18V248000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine; Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger

Apr 18, 2018

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 Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.

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. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger

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 Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.

Consequence: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.

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. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

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 Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.

Consequence: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.

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. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.

16V832000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Nov 17, 2016

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. These SCUs have an acceleration sensor that may have been incorrectly programmed and, as a result, the SCU may not accurately determine if activation and deployment of the air bags, safety belt pre-tensioners and head restraints is necessary in the event of a crash.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Depending on the severity of the crash, inadequate activation of the driver and/or passenger air bags, safety belt pre-tensioners and active head restraints may increase the risk of injury.

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.

16V746000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Oct 17, 2016

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 BMW X5 3.0si, X5 4.8i, X5 M, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i and X5 xDrive50i, 2008-2011 X6 x Drive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 535i xDrive Gran Turismo, 535i Gran Turismo, 550i xDrive Gran Turismo and 550i Gran Turismo, 2011-2012 528i, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i and 550i xDrive and 2012 535i ActiveHybrid, 640i Convertible, 650i Convertible, 650i xDrive Convertible, 650i Coupe and 650i Coupe xDrive vehicles. The affected vehicles have in-tank fuel pumps that may have insufficiently crimped wire contacts.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The loose wires may cause the connector to melt, resulting in a fuel leak. Additionally, the fuel pump may stop working, possibly causing an engine stall and increase the risk of a crash.

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

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.