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2011 BMW 550I Gran Turismo

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
7
Latest Jul 23, 2019
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Apr 18, 2018
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 BMW 550I Gran Turismo, most frequently naming the engine, electrical and powertrain (other) categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 287 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine323.1%
  • Electrical323.1%
  • Powertrain (other)215.4%
  • Other / unspecified17.7%
  • Airbags17.7%
  • Steering17.7%
  • Body & structure17.7%
  • Fuel system17.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
18V248000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

Apr 18, 2018
47,806 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
The 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.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
17V067000

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT

Feb 2, 2017
8,752 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 1 Series M Coupe and 135i Convertible vehicles, 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i, 335i, 335d, 335i Coupe, 335is Coupe, 335i Convertible, 335is Convertible, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535i Gran Turismo and 550i xDrive Gran Turismo vehicles and 2012 740i and 740Li vehicles. The rear driveshaft constant velocity (CV) joint on the affected vehicles may fatigue and break.
The risk: If the CV joint breaks, the vehicle may have a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear driveshaft CV joint and, based on its production date, will replace it, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 23, 2019

I FEEL THAT IS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON MY CAR. FROM THE START WAS TOLD THE CAR CHECKED OUT HOWEVER HAD TO GET ANOTHER STARTER, TRANSMISSION CASE, BLOCKS ETC. I SPENT OVER 14K AND STILL HAVE PROBLEM WITH REPAIRS THAT I THOUGHT WAS COVERED. NOW AC BLOWER GONE AFTER PICKING UP FROM THE DEALER LESS THAN A MONTH AGO. BAD PURCHASE NOW OUT OF MONEY AND CAR STILL NEEDS REPAIR.

NHTSA ID
11234104
Incident
May 24, 2019
Mileage
109,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 16, 2019

N 63 ENGINE FAILURE: THIS ENGINE REPLACEMENT IS PART OF THE BANG SETTLEMENT. I GOT A REPLACEMENT ENGINE FOR WHICH I SPENT ALMOST AS MUCH AS THE VALUE OF THE CAR. SO CALLED NEW ENGINE CONTINUES TO CONSUME OIL. BASICALLY BMW REPLACED THE ENGINE THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE KN OWN IS DEFECTIVE. A RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN ISSUED ON THIS ENGINE AND THIS CAR LING TIME AGO. BMW IS GETTING AWAY KNOWINGLY REPLACING DEFECTIVE E ENGINE WITH DEFECTIVE ONES.

NHTSA ID
11232623
Incident
Oct 15, 2018
Mileage
900,000 mi
AirbagsSteering
Filed Oct 5, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 550I GRAN TURISMO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STEERING FAILURE DUE TO THE AIR BAGS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN FAILED TO WORK AND THE AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER (BMW CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED & SERVICE CENTER NASHVILLE, 4040 ARMORY OAKS DR, NASHVILLE, TN 37204, 1-(855) 838-7142) DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY AND SVL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO PREVENT THE AIR BAG RESTRAINT INDICATOR FROM ILLUMINATING. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS UNABLE TO COVER THE REPAIRS AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V832000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11133560
Incident
Sep 18, 2018
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 12, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 550I GRAN TURISMO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V248000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). BMW OF SOUTH ATLANTA (4171 JONESBORO RD, UNION CITY, GA 30291, (678) 228-8373) AND GLOBAL IMPORTS BMW (500 INTERSTATE NORTH PKWY SE, ATLANTA, GA 30339, 1-800-294-1853) INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE WOULD NEED TO WAIT TO RECEIVE A SECOND NOTICE TO SCHEDULE A RECALL REPAIR APPOINTMENT. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A PROGRESSING FAILURE WITH THE BATTERY CABLES. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL CAMPAIGN CONCERNING THE BATTERY CABLES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11110930
Incident
Jul 9, 2018
Other / unspecified
Filed Mar 23, 2018

THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL (RIM) DEVELOPED HAIRLINE CRACK. THE CRACK IS ON THE INSIDE SIDE OF THE RIM. THE CRACK RESULTED IN A SLOW LOSS OF THE TIRE AIR PRESSURE.

NHTSA ID
11081077
Incident
Mar 18, 2018
Mileage
68,000 mi
Body & structureElectricalEngine
Filed May 1, 2017
Fire reported

THE CAR WAS PARKED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE DEPARTMENT. IT WAS AND IS A COMPLETE LOSS. IT HAD BEEN DRIVINE 30 MILES ABOUT AN HOUR BEFORE.

NHTSA ID
10981687
Incident
Apr 30, 2017
Mileage
100,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 20, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 550I GRAN TURISMO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V746000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE INTERIM RECALL NOTICE DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 06/23/17*LJ UPDATED 08/22/2017*JS

NHTSA ID
10967334
Incident
Dec 12, 2016

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

B510819

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

B611305

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle “discharged battery” complaints.

B160623

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Engine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel module (TFE) whendiagnosing with ISTA. The following two fault codes will be stored in the DME: 032B43 - Low fuel pressure system, electric fuel pump: pressure value too low CDA594 - Message (- 0x33E) missing, receiver DME, transmitter TFE

B653423

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicle’s equipment and settings, no acoustic or optical confirmation (folding the mirrors/blinking confirmation) is noticeable. Additionally, the red anti-theft alarm LED in the interior mirror does not briefly flash every 2 seconds, indicating the alarm is armed.

B010122

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

With the court's FINAL approval, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) has entered into a nationwide settlement with the plaintiffs in the following class action: Isley, et al. v. Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft and BMW of North America, LLC. The Settlement Benefits are effective and available on and after February 9, 2022. Note: This bulletin is a notice of a Class Action Settlement Service Campaign benefits that are now available.

B010122

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

With the court's FINAL approval, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) has entered into a nationwide settlement with the plaintiffs in the following class action: Isley, et al. v. Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft and BMW of North America, LLC.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

BMW 550I Gran Turismo by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2012210—
2011Viewing720—
2010920—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.