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2008 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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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

24 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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. 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.

1 crash reports3 fire reports1 injury reports

Structure complaints

1 reports
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6,000 miles · Jul 9, 2008
Electrical SystemStructure

BMW 528I - IF YOU CARRY LIQUIDS WHICH SPILL IN YOUR TRUNK, THE LIQUID CAN SEEP THROUGH AND BURN THE WIRES, OR THE CAR WILL STOP RUNNING (PER SERVICE DEPARTMENT), WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. ON 7-5 MY CAR HAD A LOW TIRE LIGHT GO ON. I WAS TOLD TO TAKE THE CAR IN AS THEY MIGHT NEED TO "RESET" SOMETHING. I TOOK THE CAR IN &WAS T…

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BMW 528I - IF YOU CARRY LIQUIDS WHICH SPILL IN YOUR TRUNK, THE LIQUID CAN SEEP THROUGH AND BURN THE WIRES, OR THE CAR WILL STOP RUNNING (PER SERVICE DEPARTMENT), WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. ON 7-5 MY CAR HAD A LOW TIRE LIGHT GO ON. I WAS TOLD TO TAKE THE CAR IN AS THEY MIGHT NEED TO "RESET" SOMETHING. I TOOK THE CAR IN &WAS TOLD TO RETURN ON 7-7 AS THEY COULDN'T GET THE LIGHT TO GO OFF. ON 7-7 WE TOOK THE CAR IN.THE SERVICE REP. CALLED &ASKED ME IF I HAD SPILLED WATER IN THE TRUNK.I TOLD HIM ON 7-4 A WATER BOTTLE SPILLED.HE TOLD ME DUE TO THE WATER SPILL, THE REPAIR WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.HE SAID THEY RAN TESTS AND WIRES WERE BURNT 3 TO 4'. HE SAID THERE IS A CHANCE WHEN YOU PUT WATER BOTTLES IN TRUNK & THEY ARE NOT SEALED TIGHTLY THE HEAT CAN CAUSE THEM TO EXPAND,& OPEN UP & SPILL. HE SAID HE WARNED HIS WIFE OF THIS. I WAS NOT WARNED THE WIRES ARE DOWN THERE & NOT TO CARRY LIQUID IN THE TRUNK. I ASKED IF I COULD DRIVE THE CAR AND HE SAID NO THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF THE CAR SHUTTING DOWN WHEN THE WIRES ARE BURNED. I CAN'T USE THE TRUNK FOR GROCERY SHOPPING FOR FEAR THAT SOMETHING WILL 'LEAK' AND CAUSE THE WIRES TO 'BURN' AGAIN,CREATING A POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. IF THERE IS NO FIRE DUE TO THE BURNT WIRES, THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF THE CAR 'SHUTTING DOWN', CAUSING AN ACCIDENT WHICH COULD CAUSE INJURY TO MYSELF OR ANOTHER PARTY. THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD BE WARNED THE BMW TRUNK CAN'T HANDLE TRANSPORTING LIQUID STORED IN CONTAINERS.THE WIRES SHOULD HAVE BEEN PROTECTED FROM WATER DAMAGE DUE TO THEIR LOCATION AND POSSIBLE DAMAGE BY LIQUID. THESE WIRES ARE SOMEWHERE UNDER THE SPARE TIRE IN THE TRUNK AREA, WHICH IS, IN MY OPINION, A FLAW IN THE DESIGN. I WOULD FEEL BAD IF ANYONE WAS INJURED BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF THE WIRES PLACED WHERE THEY ARE & THE FACT THAT THEY ARE NOT PROTECTED FROM LIQUID. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10233671

Official recalls

2

13V407000 · Exterior Lighting:tail Lights

Sep 11, 2013

BMW is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 528i, 535i, 550i, and M5 passenger cars manufactured from March 1, 2007, through December 31, 2009. Over time, increased resistance at the taillight electrical contact points may cause damage to the ground terminal and housing of the connector resulting in an intermittent or permanent loss of functionality of one or more rear lamp functions (tail, brake, turn-signal, reverse).

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear lamp bulb carriers free of charge. 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.