IllustrationOIL LEAKS DUE TO IMPROPERLY FITTING VALVE STEM SEALS. THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT RENDERING THE CAR CONSTANTLY LEAKING OIL AND VIRTUALLY IN DANGER OF COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE
2007 BMW 550I
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all 550I years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
50–25K
725–50K
450–75K
875–100K
4100–150K
1150K+
29 reports with mileage · 8 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.
- Air Bags. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
Unknown Or Other complaints
3 reportsI RECENTLY CONTACTED MY LOCAL BMW OF HONOLULU DEALERSHIP (808) 597-1225, INQUIRING THE RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000. I WAS INFORMED SOLELY BASED ON MY VIN NUMBER, I'M NOT ELIGIBLE FOR REPAIR, EVEN THOUGH MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON. HOW CAN THIS BE JUSTIFIED? MY SAFETY AND MY FAMILIES SAFETY IS ON THE LINE, BUT BECA…
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I RECENTLY CONTACTED MY LOCAL BMW OF HONOLULU DEALERSHIP (808) 597-1225, INQUIRING THE RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000. I WAS INFORMED SOLELY BASED ON MY VIN NUMBER, I'M NOT ELIGIBLE FOR REPAIR, EVEN THOUGH MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON. HOW CAN THIS BE JUSTIFIED? MY SAFETY AND MY FAMILIES SAFETY IS ON THE LINE, BUT BECAUSE A NUMBER, I'M NOT COVERED? ON TOP OF THIS ISSUE, I WILL BE SHIPPING MY VEHICLE, BUT THE LOCAL SHIPPING COMPANY WILL NOT SHIP ANY VEHICLE THAT HAS WARNING LIGHTS ON UNLESS IT CAN BE VERIFIED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC THAT THE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE. PLEASE ADVICE ME ON WHAT I CAN DO. *TR
2007 550I BMW SEDAN JERKY TRANSMISSION***CC THE TRANSMISSION WOULD ACT ERRATIC AT ANYTIME. THE VEHICLE WOULD LURCH WHILE AT INTERSECTIONS AND STOP LIGHTS. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS WERE HIDDEN BY THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONSUMER HAD TO LOOK DOWN TO SEE IF THEY WERE FLASHING. *JB THE CONSUMER BROUGHT …
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2007 550I BMW SEDAN JERKY TRANSMISSION***CC THE TRANSMISSION WOULD ACT ERRATIC AT ANYTIME. THE VEHICLE WOULD LURCH WHILE AT INTERSECTIONS AND STOP LIGHTS. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS WERE HIDDEN BY THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONSUMER HAD TO LOOK DOWN TO SEE IF THEY WERE FLASHING. *JB THE CONSUMER BROUGHT THE PROBLEM TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALER WHO CLAIMED THAT THIS WAS THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED. THE CONSUMER WAS SO DISAPPOINTED WITH THE WAY THE VEHICLE PERFORMED THAT HE TRADED IT IN AFTER 5 WEEKS AND 2800 MILES. *NM UPDATED *JB
Official recalls
213V564000 · Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
Nov 12, 2013
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans and 325xi sports wagons, model year 2007 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi sedans and 328i and 328xi sports wagons, model year 2006-2007 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i sedans and 530xi sports wagons, model year 2006 760i sedans, model year 2006-2007 750i, 750Li, and 760Li sedans, and model year 2006 X5 sports activity vehicles, equipped with certain seat types. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if and how the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners with an interim notification letter in January 2014 since parts are not currently available. When parts are available, BMW sent a second letter in August and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, free of charge. Additionally, owners of model year 2006-2007 3 Series with standard seats, 5 Series with comfort seats, and Z4 models, will receive an extended warranty on their front passenger seat occupant detection mat. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
07V479000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Oct 12, 2007
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V8 ENGINES, IN CONDITIONS OF BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES COMBINED WITH LOW HUMIDITY, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE TO OCCUR AT THE FUEL RAILS. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE ENGINE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) COULD BE AFFECTED SO THAT ENGINE STALLING COULD RESULT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF STALLING WERE TO OCCUR, THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN VEHICLE SPEED OR ACCELERATE AND THE POWER STEERING COULD FAIL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ATTACH TWO GROUND CABLES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 29, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.