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2013 BMW 550XI

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

About this comparison →
7Owner complaints

Model-year median: 2

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
7
20130
20142
2016
Compare all 550XI years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine
2Fuel/propulsion System
2Unknown Or Other
2Electrical System
1Latches/locks/linkages
1
All reported categories
Structure
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 6 of 7 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

2 reports
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76,050 miles · Feb 24, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

I WOULD BE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND AT A RANDOM TIME IT WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY AND THEN SLOW WHILE IN TRAFFIC ON THE FREEWAY. THE CAR WOULD GO INTO 'LIMP MODE" AND GIVE A 'DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION' ERROR. I RESEARCHED THIS ERROR ONLINE AND IT SEEMED IT COULD BE ANY NUMBER OF THINGS. THE FIRST COUPLE TIMES IT HAPPENED IT WENT AWAY …

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I WOULD BE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND AT A RANDOM TIME IT WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY AND THEN SLOW WHILE IN TRAFFIC ON THE FREEWAY. THE CAR WOULD GO INTO 'LIMP MODE" AND GIVE A 'DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION' ERROR. I RESEARCHED THIS ERROR ONLINE AND IT SEEMED IT COULD BE ANY NUMBER OF THINGS. THE FIRST COUPLE TIMES IT HAPPENED IT WENT AWAY UPON THE CAR BEING OFF. IT HAPPENED A COUPLE MORE TIMES BEFORE THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT CAME ON WITH THE 'DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION' ERROR ON THE CAR'S INFO CENTER. EACH TIME IT INVOLVED A VIOLENT JERKING OF THE CAR AND IMMEDIATE SLOWING DOWN OF THE CAR IN TRAFFIC. I DROVE IT TO NELSON'S AUTOMOTIVE CENTER IN PEWAUKEE, WI AFTER A FEW TIMES OF THIS HAPPENING. THEY DIAGNOSED THIS AS A FUEL PUMP FAILURE AND REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. BASED ON MY RESEARCH THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR BMW FOR YEARS. FUEL PUMPS HAVE BEEN RECALLED ON THESE CARS UP TO THE YEAR OF MY CAR WHICH IS DISAPPOINTING.

NHTSA ODI #11074691

64,000 miles · Sep 18, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System

HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP THE CAR STARTED SHAKING WHILE DRIVING LOST POWER CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE AND KEPT SHAKING. THE CAR WOULD NOT EXCEED 10 MPH AND CREATED A SAFETY ISSUE

NHTSA ODI #11024092

Official recalls

1

15V188000 · Exterior Lighting

Mar 31, 2015

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, and ActiveHybrid 5 vehicles. The rear reflex reflectors may not reflect enough light. As such, the vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The vehicle may be less visible to other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear reflex reflectors, free of charge. The recall began July 28, 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.