29 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,000–90,000 miles.
Most common 2007 BMW 550i problems
8 of the 37 complaints (22%) are about the airbags.
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Air Bags · airbags
8
2
1
0
Steering
6
0
0
0
Wheels
4
0
0
0
Engine
4
0
0
0
Exterior Lighting · headlights
3
0
0
0
Tires
2
0
0
0
Service Brakes · brakes
2
0
0
0
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · transmission
2
1
0
0
Electrical System
2
0
0
0
Suspension › Rear
1
0
0
0
2 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification13V564000
Filed Nov 12, 201376,565 vehiclesBMW of North America, LLC
Defect. 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.
Risk. 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 [email protected].
Filed Oct 12, 200729,250 vehiclesBMW of North America, LLC
Defect. 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.
Risk. 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.
All 2 campaigns on file, newest first.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Engine
Filed Oct 11, 2021AZ
The vehicle is Burning a lot of oil due to the valve stem seals. Because of how the engine was designed. Since 2011 to 2018 was a law suit of the same engine since 2000 of the N62 V8 Engine of BMW. Smoke of oil comes out the exhaust and BMW cannot fix the issue they designed.
Air Bags
Filed Apr 30, 2021NJ
CAR HAS FAULTY PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MATT. RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE WAS DONE IN 2014 - THE RECALL CALLED FOR INSPECTION AND POSSIBLE REPLACEMENT. IN THE INSTANCE OF MY CAR THE MATT WAS INSPECTED AND NOT-REPLACED. THE MATT NOW APPEARS TO BE FAULTING AS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT (FOR CHILDREN ETC.) IS ON EVEN WITH FULL GROWN ADULTS SITTING IN THE SEAT. SEEMS TO BE THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT GO OFF EVEN WHEN IT SHOULD. BMW ISSUES NUMEROUS WARRANTY EXTENSIONS FOR THE 04-10 E60 5 SERIES AND SEEMS TO BE A WIDELY REPORTED ISSUE. IN THE INSTANCE OF MY VIN THE RECALL WAS CONDUCTED (BUT THE MATT NOT REPLACED) AND THE PROBLEM THE RECALL AIMED TO CORRECT FOR IS OCCURRING. I WOULD SUGGEST ANOTHER RECALL OR AN EXTENSION OF WARRANTY FOR ALL VEHICLES THAT HAD THIS RECALL DONE AS NOT EVERY CAR HAD THE FAULTY PART REPLACED.
Exterior Lighting
Filed Jul 20, 2020101,000 milesCA
THE INSULATION WIRING DETERIORATED CAUSING THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT TO STOP WORKING WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY
Engine
Filed Jul 5, 2020NV
OIL 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
Exterior Lighting
Filed Jun 25, 2020150,000 milesTX
WIRING IN HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES SHORTS OUT BECAUSE OF DEGRADED DEFECTIVE WIRING INSULATION. HEADLIGHTS CAN IMMEDIATELY FAIL WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT FAILED. *TR
Engine
Filed May 26, 202090,000 milesAR
EXCESSIVE EXHAUST SMOKE WHEN VEHICLE IS IDLING... WHITE SMOKE. THE OIL SEEMS TO COLLECT SOMEWHERE IN THE ENGINE WHILE IDLING AND CONTINUES TO SMOKE FOR A WHILE, AFTER IDLING AND IN MOTION. THE SMOKING SEEMS TO BE WORSE WHEN IDLING ON AN INCLINE OR DECLINE. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON A WHILE. I THOUGHT THERE WAS A RECALL DUE TO THIS PROBLEM BEING PREVALENT WITH THIS 8 CYL ENGINE. I AM JUST NOW REPORTING THIS ISSUE BUT IT'S BEEN ONGOING FOR A COUPLE YEARS NOW. *TR
Electrical System
Filed Oct 11, 2019AL
WAS REPLACING H7 HEADLAMPS AND DISCOVERED ALL OF THE INSULATION ON THE WIRING INSIDE BOTH HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES HAD DISINTEGRATED AND BOTH ASSEMBLIES CONTAINED MULTIPLE BARE WIRES. THIS COULD RESULT IN A SHORT OR BLOWING A FUSE WHEN DRIVING MAKING HEADLAMPS STOP WORKING. COULD EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. OR CAR COULD CATCH ON FIRE DUE TO SHORT CIRCUIT. I HAVE GOOGLED THIS AND FOUND MANY MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. A RECALL SHOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN VOLUNTARY ON BMW USA OR FORCED BY THE NTSB. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION.
Electrical System
Filed Jan 8, 2017CA
I PULLED MY BATTERY TO CHARGE IT AND NOW I'M GETTING A WHEEL LOCK ALARM WHICH WILL NOT ALLOW MY CAR TO START. IT IS IN MY DRIVE WAY SAME AS WHEN I LAST USED IT. IT RAN FINE PRIOR TO CHARGING MY BATTERY.
Exterior Lighting
Filed Sep 8, 2016105,000 milesTX
EXPERIENCE "HIGHBEAM MALFUNCTION" WARNING LIGHT. INSPECTED THE HEADLAMPS (E60 ADAPTIVE XENON PART # 6312710157). THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOW-BEAM HALOGEN MELTED THROUGH REFLECTOR. INSPECTED WIRING AND THE SHEATHING / JACKET WERE DISINTEGRATING CAUSING SHORT CIRCUITING. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, THIS IS A RESULT OF BMW'S USE OF BIODEGRADABLE MATERIALS IN MID-200'S CARS. NOT ONLY IS THIS A FIRE HAZARD, THE ONLY REMEDY IS TO GET A NEW HEADLAMP SET (~$1300 EACH)
Steering
Filed Jun 17, 2016127,000 milesCA
THE STEERING LOCK MALFUNCTION LIGHT IS ON. THIS INDICATOR LIGHT CAME WHILE THE CAR WAS STATIONARY.
Engine
Filed May 4, 2016VA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 550I. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR INSPECTION, THE TECHNICIAN OBSERVED OIL LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VALVE COVER GASKET, TIMING CHAIN COVER, ALTERNATOR BRACKET, AND OIL PRESSURE SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Steering
Filed Nov 13, 20155 milesNY
FROM TIME TO TIME I AM GETTING A YELLOW WARNING LIGHT INDICATING ELV BLOCKED AND SOMETIMES PREVENTING ME FROM STARTING THE CAR. WAS ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND WAS STRANDED MANY TIMES. VERY FRUSTRATING AND DANGEROUS.
Air BagsCrash
Filed Sep 5, 201487,000 milesTX
SENSOR AND CONTROL MODULE FLAW. *TR
Air Bags
Filed Jun 26, 201473,201 milesHI
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
Air Bags
Filed Jun 26, 201476,000 milesHI
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 550I. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THERE WAS NO DIAGNOSIS COMPLETED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 76,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,000. ..UPDATED 08/11/14 *CN
Air Bags
Filed Jun 3, 201476,400 milesMA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 550I. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STARTING THE IGNITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 13V564000 (AIR BAGS) BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,400.
Air Bags
Filed Jan 13, 201482,000 milesCA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 550I. THE CONTACT STATED THE SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
Air BagsFire
Filed Nov 14, 201390,000 milesFL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 550I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT WIRES WERE MELTED. THERE WAS ALSO AN INTERMITTENT TAIL LIGHT MALFUNCTION WARNING MESSAGE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE TAIL LIGHTS AND NOTICED THEY WERE ILLUMINATING PROPERLY. ADDITIONALLY, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE RESTRAINT WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Service Brakes
Filed Nov 7, 201389,000 milesCA
BRAKE FAILURE AT LOW SPEED ON AN DESCENDING INCLINE (DRIVEWAY) PUMPED BRAKES RAPIDLY AND BRAKES HELD TRACTION. LATER THAT DAY 10/08/13 BRAKES FAILED ON LOW SPEED ON THE DESCENDING STREET. ON 10/09/13 WHEN DRIVING IN FREEWAY TRAFFIC, I AGAIN HAD TO SWERVE IN ORDER TO AVOID A REAR END COLLISION NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED, NO SERVICE LIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED AT ALL 3 INCIDENTS. ON 10/10/13, I TOOK THE CAR IN TO CHECK ON THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR'S MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER, BRAKE BOOSTER AND BRAKE VACUUM PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR AN EXCESS OF $2500 FOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT WAS NOTED IN AN EARLIER RECALL. I CALLED BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD MY PARTICULAR VIN NUMBER WAS NOT COVERED IN THE GENERAL RECALL AND MY ONLY RECOURSE WAS TO INFORM NHTSA, WHICH I AM DOING. *TR
Service Brakes
Filed Oct 10, 201389,000 milesCA
FIRST INCIDENT 10/08/13:BRAKE FAILURE AT LOW SPEED ON AN DESCENDING INCLINE (DRIVEWAY) PUMPED BRAKES RAPIDLY AND BRAKES HELD TRACTION. LATER THAT DAY 10/08/13 BRAKES FAILED ON LOW SPEED ON THE DESCENDING STREET. ON 10/09/13 WHEN DRIVING IN FREEWAY TRAFFIC, I AGAIN HAD TO SWERVE IN ORDER TO AVOID A REAR END COLLISION NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED, NO SERVICE LIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED AT ALL 3 INCIDENTS. ON 10/10/13, I TOOK THE CAR IN TO CHECK ON THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR'S MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER, BRAKE BOOSTER AND BRAKE VACUUM PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR AN EXCESS OF $2500 FOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT WAS NOTED IN AN EARLIER RECALL. I CALLED BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD MY PARTICULAR VIN NUMBER WAS NOT COVERED IN THE GENERAL RECALL AND MY ONLY RECOURSE WAS TO INFORM NHTSA, WHICH I AM DOING. *TR
Steering
Filed Jan 22, 201333,000 milesNY
STEERING MALFUNCTION. DO NOT CONTINUE DRIVING. BIG RED SIGN TO STOP CAR. *TR
Steering
Filed Jun 28, 201234,400 milesTX
ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO I BOUGHT A 2007 BMW 550I WITH 29,802 MILES. WHEN A LARGE RED STEERING LOCK LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH, AS WELL AS, THE CENTER CONSOLE COMPUTER HAD INSTRUCTIONS "NOT TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF". THE CAR OPERATED NORMALLY JUST WITH AN UNCOMFORTABLE BIG RED LIGHT ON MY DASH. BEFORE CALLING THE BMW DEALER I DECIDED TO DO SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET. I HAVE FOUND DOZENS OF BMW FORUMS REFERENCING STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCTIONS. MOST WERE RANGING FROM UPDATING COMPUTERS TO STEERING COLUMN REPLACEMENTS. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE BMW DEALER AS HE GAVE ME A LOANER AND TOOK MY CAR FOR THE NIGHT. THE FOLLOWING DAY HE CALLED ME IN AND TOLD ME I NEEDED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM THAT WOULD COST ME $700 OR THE STEERING MIGHT LOCK UP ON ME DURING DRIVING. WITH THIS MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE MIGHT BE A RECALL ON THE BMW STEERING LOCK? *TR
Seat Belts
Filed Jun 25, 201243,000 milesCA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 550I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SRS WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE PASSENGER WOULD HAVE THE SEAT BELT ON, BUT IT WOULD INDICATE THAT THERE WAS A RESTRAINT MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,500.
Steering
Filed Sep 26, 201163,000 milesTX
THE ACTIVE STEERING MALFUNCTION TAKES PLACE EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS RUN FULL DIAGNOSTICS AND HAVE COME UP WITH NO ERRORS. THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN WHICH IS IN EXCESS OF $5,000. I AM WORRIED THE SYSTEM IS GOING TO LOCK UP IN WHOLE AND LOSE STEERING CAPABILITIES. *TR
Wheels
Filed Aug 15, 201172,000 milesNC
I OWN A 2007 BMW 550I SPORT. I RAN OVER A RAISED ROAD MARKER WHILE IN ATLANTA AND RUPTURED THE SIDE WALLS OF BOTH LEFT SIDE TIRES, WHILE ALSO BENDING THE FACTORY 18" RIMS. IN MY JUDGMENT THE CONTACT WAS NOT SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE DAMAGE THAT OCCURRED. ONCE I HAD THE TIRES REMOVED I NOTICED THAT THE INSIDE PORTION OF EACH REAR TIRE WAS WORN DOWN TO THE METAL MESH EMBEDDED IN THE TIRE. THE OUTER PORTION OF THE TIRES SHOWED AT LEAST ANOTHER 10K MILES ON THEM. THIS WAS/IS VERY DISCONCERTING AND ALARMING TO ME. I SEE IT AS A DESIGN FLAW, AND A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN. ONE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO HAVE THEIR CAR LIFTED INTO THE AIR EVERY 3-6K MILES TO INSPECT FOR THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A $60K + AUTOMOBILE. WHILE EXTREMELY SATISFIED WITH SOME ASPECTS OF THE VEHICLE, AND SATISFIED WITH OTHERS, THIS IS A DEAL BREAKER FOR ME. IF I EVER RECOMMEND A BMW 550I TO ANYONE, IT WILL BE WITH THE CAVEAT OF BE CAREFUL WHEN IT COMES TO THE FACTORY WHEELS AND ANY TYPE OF TIRE THAT YOU MOUNT ON IT BECAUSE OF THE ONGOING REAR ALIGNMENT ISSUES. I HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS WITH AN OTHERWISE GREAT 99' 525I SPORT. THE REALIGNMENT WORE OUT 2 MICHELIN PILOT SPORTS/REAR IN LESS THAN 10K MILES. *TR
Wheels
Filed Aug 11, 2011FL
I HAVE A 2007 550I THAT I BOUGHT IN 2009. I SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE WHEELS, ALL OF THEM ARE SOME WHAT BENT, BUT THE REAR LEFT WHEEL IS CRACKED. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL ISSUES WITH MANY BMW OWNERS REGARDING BENT RIMS. I SUSPECT THERE IS AN ISSUE, AS WHEELS DON'T JUST HAVE HAIRLINES, STRAIGHT CRACKS ON THE INSIDE WALL WITHOUT SOME SORT OF BEND IN THE WHEEL. EVEN THE TIRE GUY, WHERE I BOUGHT MY TIRES, SAID IT LOOKS A LITTLE SUSPICIOUS. THIS CRACK IS ABOUT 1 INCH LONG ON THE RIM EDGE. *TR
Power Train › Automatic TransmissionCrash
Filed Jun 22, 201148,000 milesCA
2007 BMW 550I, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ABOUT 48,000 MILES. AFTER A PERIOD OF HIGHWAY DRIVING, IF REVERSE IS SELECTED (E.G., IN A PARKING LOT, A U-TURN THAT REQUIRES BACKING UP), THE TRANSMISSION WILL GO INTO NEUTRAL FOR SEVERAL SECONDS RATHER THAN IMMEDIATELY ENGAGING. SCENARIO 1 (COMMON): PULLING INTO PARKING LOT AFTER 22 MINUTE HIGHWAY COMMUTE TO WORK. I START TO GO BY AN OPEN SPOT AND NEED TO ENGAGE REVERSE IN ORDER TO PULL IN. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE, BUT THE TRANSMISSION GOES INTO NEUTRAL. AFTER ABOUT 3-5 SECONDS, REVERSE FINALLY ENGAGES. THIS IS A RECENT PHENOMENON. PREVIOUSLY, ENGAGEMENT WAS IMMEDIATE. INCIDENT 1 (6 JUNE 2011): AFTER DRIVING FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, A TIGHT U-TURN WAS REQUIRED. COMING OUT OF THE U-TURN, THE ROAD WAS DOWNHILL. I NEEDED TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE IN ORDER TO MAKE THE TIGHT U-TURN. I PUT THE SHIFTER IN REVERSE, AND STEPPED ON THE GAS. THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE CAR ROLLED FORWARD. OBVIOUSLY, IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, THEN REVERSE. SAME THING. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, THEN REVERSE, SAME PROBLEM. ULTIMATELY, I HAD TO TURN OFF THE CAR, THEN START IT AGAIN. NOW, REVERSE ENGAGED. UNFORTUNATELY, I RAN INTO A FIXTURE AT VERY LOW SPEED, CAUSING NO DAMAGE TO THE FIXTURE AND COSMETIC DAMAGE TO MY FRONT FENDER. INCIDENT 2 (10 JUNE 2011): AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, I WAS PULLING INTO A HOTEL PARKING LOT. I NEEDED TO ENGAGE REVERSE IN ORDER TO PULL IN AS I DROVE SLIGHTLY PAST THE ENTRANCE TO THE PAR
Steering
Filed Nov 4, 2010120,000 milesPA
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 550I SERIES. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INDICATING THAT THE WARNING HYDRAULIC STEERING MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE HE WAS TOLD THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE COMPUTERIZED STEERING COLUMN CHIP. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WOULD BE A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE AND HE SHOULD WAIT FOR THE RECALL NOTICE BEFORE THEY CAN REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND STATED THAT THEY KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THE RECALL AND OFFERED NO OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Wheels
Filed Oct 26, 201038,000 milesMD
HAVE HAD THIS BMW 550I FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS, AND IN THAT TIME I'VE HAD 3 BENT WHEELS AND ONE CRACKED WHEEL. I HAVE CARS WITH SIMILAR, ALUMINUM ALLOY RIMS AND LOWER PROFILE TIRES ON THEM - AND HAVE NOT BENT OR CRACKED A WHEEL ON THE OTHER CARS. THE REAR WHEEL CRACKED, BUT IT WAS ALONG THE INNER EDGE - AND WAS NOT NOTICED. THE ONLY REASON IT WAS CHECKED WAS BECAUSE THE TIRE KEPT LEAKING AIR. LUCKILY IT WAS CAUGHT BEFORE THE WHEEL CRACKED EVEN MORE (IT CRACKED FOR ABOUT 1" LONG FROM THE RIM EDGE TO JUST PAST THE TIRE BEAD). UPDATED 12/02/10 *BF UPDATED 12/07/10 *TR
Suspension › Rear
Filed Oct 26, 201041,000 milesMD
I HAVE A 550I WITH THE SPORT PACKAGE. BOTH REAR TIRES WORE OUT THE INNER 1/4" OF TIRE COMPLETELY WHILE THE OUTER, AND THE VISIBLE PORTION OF THE TREAD HAD PLENTY OF DEPTH LEFT (APPROX 4/32" OR MORE). THE RIGHT TIRE WAS SLIGHTLY WORSE AND BLEW OUT ON THE HIGHWAY CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE LEFT WEAR WAS VERY CLOSE. ALIGNMENT IS WITHIN THE BMW SPECS. HOWEVER, THE REAR NEGATIVE CAMBER SPECIFICATION IS JUST TOO HIGH, AND THE REAR SUSPENSION DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH ADJUSTMENT TO REMOVE SOME OF THE NEGATIVE CAMBER. BMW SHOULD SPECIFY A TIGHTER TOLERANCE FOR THE REAR CAMBER ON THESE CARS (IN PARTICULAR, THOSE WITH THE SPORT SUSPENSION), AND SPECIFY LESS NEGATIVE CAMBER IN THE REAR. ADDITIONALLY, THERE NEEDS TO BE A WAY TO REMOVE MORE CAMBER OUT OF THE REAR TIRES THAN THE STOCK SUSPENSION ADJUSTMENTS ALLOW. *TR
Wheels
Filed Jul 15, 201072,100 milesGA
I HAVE JUST SUFFERED MY SEVENTH CRACKED WHEEL IN 13K MILES / 18 MONTHS! ACCORDING TO WHEEL WIZARD IN ATLANTA, THEY SEE AN INORDINATE NUMBER OF BMW 550I, M5S, 650I, M6, 750I CARS. THEY SUBCONTRACT FOR ALL THE MAJORS - PORSCHE, JAGUAR, BMW, FERRARI ETC. WHEEL WIZARD BELIEVES THAT THE BMWS (PARTICULARLY WITH RUN FLATS), CHOSE AN ALLOY FOR THE WHEEL THAT IS DEFECTIVELY SOFT OR AND PRONE TO CRACKING GIVEN THE WEIGHT, POWER AND SUSPENSIONS ON THESE CARS. I AGREE!! 7 TIMES IN 18 MONTHS. I WORK OUT OF MY HOUSE AND DO NOT DRIVE MY CAR HARD. OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS I'VE BEEN DRIVING, I'VE OWNED MERCEDES (CLK430), JAGUAR (XK8), TOYOTA, 3 FORD SUVS, AN INFINITI AND HAVE NEVER HAD A SINGLE CRACKED WHEEL OR RIM IN 30 YEARS! (IF IT WERE MY DRIVING - THERE WOULD BE AT LEAST ONE OTHER INSTANCE IN 30 YEARS). BUT NOT ONCE. NOW, SINCE NOVEMBER 2009, I'VE HAD 7 CRACKED OR BENT RIMS! THIS IS BEYOND STATISTICAL PROBABILITY OF JUST BAD LUCK. I HAVE HAD OTHER BMW DRIVERS TELL ME SIMILAR STORIES. A VERY GOOD FRIEND HAD A 650I THEN AN M6 - HE HAD BENT OR CRACKED RIM PROBLEMS ON HIS BMWS. A FRIEND HAS A 550I - HE HAS HAD BENT OR CRACKED RIMS IN THE FIRST 12 MONTHS. WHEEL WIZARD, WHEN I WAS IN LAST TIME, SAID THEY HAD SEEN 5 TO 7 5, 6 AND 7 SERIES IN THE PREVIOUS 5 DAYS. AND THEY SAID THAT BMW HAS AN UNUSUAL HIGH FREQUENCY OF BENT AND CRACKED RIMS ON THE 5, 6 AND 7 SERIES POST 2005 MODELS. TODAY, THE MANAGER SAID HE THOUGHT BMWS, PARTICULARLY THOSE WITH RUN FLAT TIRES, EXPERIENCE A MUCH GREATER THAN NORMA
Tires
Filed Jun 15, 200927,500 milesNY
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON THE NYS THRUWAY, I HIT A VERY SMALL POTHOLE AND BOTH RIGHT SIDE TIRES RUPTURED AT THE TIRE BEAD. AT LEAST TWENTY OTHER CARS PASSED OVER THE SAME POTHOLE AND NO DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THEIR TIRES. THE TIRES PARTIALLY SEPARATED FROM THE RIMS MAKING DRIVING THE EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS. EVEN THOUGH THE CARS HAS RUN FLAT TIRES, THE TIRES SEPARATED SO FAR FROM THE BEAD IT MADE DRIVING THE CAR DANGEROUS. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME SMALL OBJECTS IN THE ROADWAY CAUSED THESE RUNFLAT TIRES TO RUPTURE DANGEROUSLY ON VERY SMALL POTHOLES. HAD I CONTINUED DRIVING ON THEM AS STATED BY BMW, THEY WOULD HAVE SEPARATED FROM THE RIMS AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Tires
Filed Dec 6, 200813,003 milesNC
REAR TIRES ON MY 2007 BMW 550I WEAR DANGEROUSLY LOW ON THE INNER TIRE VS. THE PART YOU CAN SEE. *TR
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Jan 8, 2008VA
I THINK 2008 BMW 550I HAVE ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD RADIATION PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING NUMBNESS IN FACE AND HEADACHE WHILE DRIVING IN THIS CAR. I DON'T KNOW HOW HIGH IN MG IT GETS UP TO. I DON'T HAVE INSTRUMENTS TO MEASURE EXACT LEVEL OF EMF TO VERIFY IF EXPOSURE LEVEL IS SAFE(I AM SURE IT'S NOT). COULD YOU VERIFY EMF LEVE IN THIS CAR AND WHAT SOLUTION DO YOU HAVE? *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 20, 2007300 milesCA
I LEASED A BMW 328I ON 02/07/07. IT IS A BRAND NEW MODEL WITH A NEW ENGINE THAN BMW 325, ACCORDING TO THE SALESMAN. ON 02/16/07, WHILE I STOPPED THE VEHICLE AT THE RED LIGHT, I FOUND OUT THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START MOVING WHEN THE GREEN LIGHT WAS ON. THE CAR WAS STOPPED ON THE ROAD AND I HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS GOING ON. LOTS OF CARS WERE BEHIND ME AND SPEEDING PAST MY CAR. I WAS VERY UPSET AND I GOT THE 800 TOLL FREE NUMBER FOR BMW'S FREE TOWING SERVICE FROM MY SALES PERSON VIA PHONE. THE FIRST LADY WHO ANSWERED THE PHONE TOLD ME TO CALL 911 AFTER A FIVE MINUTES TALKING TO ME WITH LOTS OF QUESTIONS. A NICE GENTLEMAN HELPED ME TO PUSH MY CAR TO A SAFETY STORES PARKING LOT. SO I CALLED 800 BMW TOW LINE NUMBER AGAIN. THE CAR WAS ACTUALLY TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP BY BMW 1-800 FREE TOW LINE AFTER A 3-HOUR'S WAITING TIME. THE SALESMAN HAD TO SEND HIS ASSISTANCE TO DELIVER ME ANOTHER USED CAR DUE TO I WAS IN A HURRY TO PICK UP MY SON FROM SCHOOL. I WAS THEN TOLD ON 02/17/07 FROM THE SALES PERSON THAT THE FUEL SENSOR IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. IT WILL STOP ITS SENSOR FUNCTION AT THE LAST QUARTER OF THE FUEL INDICATOR. SO I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT KNOWING THERE WAS NO MORE FUEL INSIDE THE CAR BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT STILL HAD A QUARTER FUEL IN THE TANK. I WAS SO SCARED TO HEAR IT AND I TOLD HIM THAT THIS FUEL SENSOR DEFECT MIGHT KILL MY LIFE IF I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON THE FREEWAY AT THAT TIME WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED. SO I REFUSED TO TAKE BACK THE VEHICLE AND REQUESTED FOR
Air BagsCrash
Filed Jan 5, 2007100 milesNY
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON10/26/06 IN HEAVY TRAFFIC DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT SUDDEN STOP AND HE HIT THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE AND THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POLICE CAME OUT TO THE SCENE, BUT NO REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE POLICE STATED THAT THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO CONTACT'S VEHICLE OR TO THE VEHICLE THAT HE HIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ARMONK GARAGE AND THEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE SERVICE MECHANIC STATED THE ONLY VISIBLE DAMAGE WAS THAT THE LICENSE PLATE HAD A SCRATCH. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOUND THAT THE AIRBAGS WENT OFF IMPROPERL,Y AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD GIVE HIM ANOTHER VEHICLE WITHOUT CHARGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT 2 MONTHS LATER THE MANUFACTURER CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND INFORMED HIM THAT THEIR INVESTIGATION SHOWED THE AIRBAGS DID DEPLOY PROPERLY. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE INSURANCE COMPANY, AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOOK CARE OF THE CLAIM ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS OF TODAY HE STILL HAS NOT RECEIVED ANOTHER VEHICLE. HE ONLY HAD POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE FOR 1 WEEK AND THAT THE AIRBAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED WITH SUCH A SMALL IMPACT.*AK
Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Dec 28, 20062,800 milesNJ
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
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Nov 12, 2013. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.