2011 BMW 550I Gran Turismo Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2011 BMW 550I Gran Turismo, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- 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.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .