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2012 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 →
35Owner complaints

Model-year median: 13

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
2
200911
201084
201135
201215
20136
20146
2015
Compare all 550I years →

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

What owners reported most

Engine
13Fuel/propulsion System
11Tires
8Electrical System
4Power Train
4
All reported categories
Wheels
4Fuel System, Gasoline
2Steering
2Engine And Engine Cooling
1Exterior Lighting
1Service Brakes
1Suspension
1Vehicle Speed Control
1

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

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

29 reports with mileage · 6 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 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Tires. Review the 8 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 reports1 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

35 reports
87,900 miles · Apr 19, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

WHEN YOU FIRST TURN THE CAR ON IT SOUNDS VERY LOUD FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES (LOUDER THAN NORMAL). WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE CAR WILL START SHAKING AND THE CAR COMPUTER POPS UP SAYING DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION AND YOU HAVE TO PULL OVER TO RESTART. HESITATE BEOFRE TAKING OFF AT A RED LIGHT OR WHEN TURNING IN AN INTERSECTION. COMPUT…

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WHEN YOU FIRST TURN THE CAR ON IT SOUNDS VERY LOUD FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES (LOUDER THAN NORMAL). WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE CAR WILL START SHAKING AND THE CAR COMPUTER POPS UP SAYING DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION AND YOU HAVE TO PULL OVER TO RESTART. HESITATE BEOFRE TAKING OFF AT A RED LIGHT OR WHEN TURNING IN AN INTERSECTION. COMPUTER ERROR MASSAGE COMES AND GOES.

NHTSA ODI #11321577

80,000 miles · Mar 3, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE CAR WILL START SHAKING AND THE CAR COMPUTER POPS UP SAYING DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION AND YOU HAVE TO PULL OVER TO RESTART THE CAR. BUT IT DOES IT AGAIN 5-10 MINUTES LATER

NHTSA ODI #11315757

93,339 miles · Nov 3, 2019
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY A POP SOUND HAPPEN AND CAR STARTED TO DRIVE AND SHACKING OCCURRED AND SHIFTING OF GEARS WAS ERRATIC. TRANSFER CASE FAILED MADE VERY DIFFICULT TO GET OUT OF WAY OF TRAFFIC BIT OF STALL AND HESITATION.

NHTSA ODI #11277847

51,000 miles · Oct 31, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

WHEN I PRESS ON THE GAS TO ACCELERATE THE "DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION" ERROR COMES ON. MY CAR ONLY HAVE 51,000 MILES. I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND WAIT A MINUTE TO RESUME DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #11277330

78,771 miles · Oct 30, 2019
Engine

SON WAS DRIVING CAR AND CAR JUST SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT ANY WARNING. CAR WAS TOWED TO BMW DEALERSHIP AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE $3000 TO TEAR DOWN ENGINE TO SEE WHY ENGINE LOCKED UP. CAR WAS BOUGHT 31 MAY 2019 AND SHUT DOWN AFTER DRIVING A LITTLE OVER 3,000 MILES 12 OCTOBER 2019. JUST A COMPLETE RUNAROUND WITH…

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SON WAS DRIVING CAR AND CAR JUST SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT ANY WARNING. CAR WAS TOWED TO BMW DEALERSHIP AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE $3000 TO TEAR DOWN ENGINE TO SEE WHY ENGINE LOCKED UP. CAR WAS BOUGHT 31 MAY 2019 AND SHUT DOWN AFTER DRIVING A LITTLE OVER 3,000 MILES 12 OCTOBER 2019. JUST A COMPLETE RUNAROUND WITH BMW OFFICES.

NHTSA ODI #11277197

49,479 miles · Oct 24, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 5501. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE "SERVICE REQUIRED SOON" MESSAGE ILLUMINATED ON THE MESSAGE CENTER AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO GLOBAL IMPORTS (550 INTERSTATE NORTH PKWY SE, ATLANTA, GA 30339) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 5501. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE "SERVICE REQUIRED SOON" MESSAGE ILLUMINATED ON THE MESSAGE CENTER AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO GLOBAL IMPORTS (550 INTERSTATE NORTH PKWY SE, ATLANTA, GA 30339) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED AND A NEW ONE WAS NEEDED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING ODDLY APPROXIMATELY A WEEK BEFORE THE FAILURE, PRESUMABLY DUE TO OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,479.

NHTSA ODI #11270829

65,000 miles · Sep 13, 2019
Engine

TAKATA RECALL CAR USES EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL, A QUART EVERY WEEK.

NHTSA ODI #11255454

89,900 miles · Sep 13, 2019
SteeringSuspensionWheels

BMW TEARS UP TIRES CAUSING THEM TO SHREAD WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD. AFTER TWO ALIGNMENTS IN A YEAR. NO FRONT END DAMAGE PER BMW.

NHTSA ODI #11255453

89,359 miles · Sep 13, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

CAR WILL STALL JERK AND STALL LOSSES POWER WHILE ACCELERATING.

NHTSA ODI #11255451

59,287 miles · Jun 7, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 550I. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE A SHORT DISTANCE, THE CONTACT FELT EXTREME HEAT COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND SMELLED BURNING WIRES. ORANGE COUNTY BMW (101 MAHER LN, HARRIMAN, NY 10926, (845) 782-4269) STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CON…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 550I. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE A SHORT DISTANCE, THE CONTACT FELT EXTREME HEAT COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND SMELLED BURNING WIRES. ORANGE COUNTY BMW (101 MAHER LN, HARRIMAN, NY 10926, (845) 782-4269) STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,287.

NHTSA ODI #11218438

Official recalls

2

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.

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.