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2018 BMW M550I

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

About this comparison →
23Owner complaints

Model-year median: 1.5

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
23
20180
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20201
2021
Compare all M550I years →

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

What owners reported most

Air Bags
10Seat Belts
6Electrical System
4Seats
3Engine
2
All reported categories
Forward Collision Avoidance
2Lane Departure
2Structure
2Unknown Or Other
2Wheels
2Latches/locks/linkages
1Steering
1Tires
1Visibility/wiper
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: 4 of 23 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.

  • Air Bags. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 4 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

23 reports
Mileage unknown · May 29, 2024
Air BagsSeat BeltsSeats

Passenger restraint system malfunction. I took it to the dealership and was told it will cost $3785.91 to replace the passenger seat mat. Looking online, this problem appears to be widespread with many individual car owners complaining of the issue. Given that this is a life safety system and its apparent prevalence, it seems…

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Passenger restraint system malfunction. I took it to the dealership and was told it will cost $3785.91 to replace the passenger seat mat. Looking online, this problem appears to be widespread with many individual car owners complaining of the issue. Given that this is a life safety system and its apparent prevalence, it seems appropriate to consider this for a mandatory recall.

NHTSA ODI #11591343

Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 2024
Air BagsSeat BeltsSeats

The passenger seat occupancy mat is faulty - same as in many other BMW models for which BMW has issued a 15 year warranty. The car chimes and states "fasten safety belt" for the passenger seat when the passenger seat is entirely empty. This error comes and goes, and stops when the belt is buckled.

NHTSA ODI #11586141

Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2023
Air Bags

The passenger restraint malfunction continues to alarm and the dealership states that it is a seat-pad sensor and want over $2000.00 to replace. From a number of BMW forums, it appears that this was a common problem with earlier models and a subsequent 15-year warranty extension was granted because of the safety concerns. My c…

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The passenger restraint malfunction continues to alarm and the dealership states that it is a seat-pad sensor and want over $2000.00 to replace. From a number of BMW forums, it appears that this was a common problem with earlier models and a subsequent 15-year warranty extension was granted because of the safety concerns. My car is well cared for and has very few miles on it, so I truly believe that BMW needs to either recall this faulty SAFETY component or replace it free of charge. Please protect me and my family by holding BMW accountable.

NHTSA ODI #11550749

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2023
Air BagsSeat Belts

Passenger Restraint Warning Light has been coming on off and on and now stays on all the time. Dealer has confirmed car needs to have the OC3 mat replaced at a very high price. Car is a 2018 BMW M550ix. Apparently this has been a common problem with the BMWs.

NHTSA ODI #11543378

Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2023
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeat Belts

Passenger side sensor is faulty. BMW has issued Technical Service Bulletin to repair when found in warranty. The sensor will errantly warn airbag disable when person is not in seat.

NHTSA ODI #11540031

Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2023
Air Bags

My old 5 series 2017 had this same problem, now my 2018 m550i has the airbag problem. A warning light for no reason pops up saying “passenger restraint system malfunction” and turns off the passengers airbag, BMW will not fix it out of warranty and charges 3,000$. Many people are driving around without airbags in a new car becau…

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My old 5 series 2017 had this same problem, now my 2018 m550i has the airbag problem. A warning light for no reason pops up saying “passenger restraint system malfunction” and turns off the passengers airbag, BMW will not fix it out of warranty and charges 3,000$. Many people are driving around without airbags in a new car because of this.

NHTSA ODI #11503861

Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2022
Electrical SystemForward Collision Avoidance

On vacation road trip driving for about 3 hours. Instrument cluster completely shuts off and goes to black. Screen, vehit speed and rpm and all adas systems stop working. Sometimes turning the car off and on will address the issue other times it will constantly restart the instrument cluster when driving.

NHTSA ODI #11495027

Mileage unknown · Mar 29, 2022
Unknown Or Other

Sunroof on 2018 BMW M550i "exploded" while driving home from work. Weather was cloudy, light rain in the 50's, late March in northern California, USA. Sunroof was in closed position and cars HVAC was not being used to create temperature or pressure difference. Heated seat was being used. Had been parked outdoors under an awning …

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Sunroof on 2018 BMW M550i "exploded" while driving home from work. Weather was cloudy, light rain in the 50's, late March in northern California, USA. Sunroof was in closed position and cars HVAC was not being used to create temperature or pressure difference. Heated seat was being used. Had been parked outdoors under an awning during the day and had been on the road for less than 15 minutes. The automobile will be taken to the nearest dealership in the morning. Pictures were taken. Significant safety risk to occupants if glass shatters when the "slider" is in the open position.

NHTSA ODI #11458748

18,750 miles · Sep 6, 2020
Unknown Or Other

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE SUNROOF EXPLODED OUT OF NO WHERE, BMW SAID A ROCK HIT IT OR SOMETHING BUT I AM 90% SURE A ROCK DIDN'T HIT IT. DID NOT SEE ANYTHING FLY UP TOWARDS THE CAR. IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT WENT OFF IN THE CAR AND GLASS SHOWERING ALL OVER YOU BECAUSE I HAD THE SHADE OPEN. LUCKILY IT DID NOT GET INTO M…

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE SUNROOF EXPLODED OUT OF NO WHERE, BMW SAID A ROCK HIT IT OR SOMETHING BUT I AM 90% SURE A ROCK DIDN'T HIT IT. DID NOT SEE ANYTHING FLY UP TOWARDS THE CAR. IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT WENT OFF IN THE CAR AND GLASS SHOWERING ALL OVER YOU BECAUSE I HAD THE SHADE OPEN. LUCKILY IT DID NOT GET INTO MY EYES TO CAUSE ANOTHER ACCIDENT. GLASS SHATTERED UPWARDS AND FROM DOING RESEARCH IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM

NHTSA ODI #11353442

34,000 miles · Aug 18, 2020
Visibility/wiper

DUE TO WEATHER CHANGE THE SUNROOF CAN SHATTER. THIS COULD HAD INJURED TO PASSENGER AND INFANTS IN CAR. BMW TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY ON FIXING IT

NHTSA ODI #11350167

Official recalls

1

19V684000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

Sep 27, 2019

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Convertible and Coupe 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, X5 sDrive, X5 xDrive, X5 M50i, X6 xDrive, X6 M50i, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, Z4 sDrive, Z4 M40i, 740Le xDrive and 745Le xDrive, 2018-2019 640i xDrive Gran Turismo and Rolls-Royce Phantom, 2019 M850i xDrive Gran Coupe and Rolls-Royce Cullinan and 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.

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.