EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
2010 BMW 550I
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 11 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2010 BMW 550I, most frequently naming the engine, electrical and powertrain (other) categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 79 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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 2010 | 1 | 1 |
| Jun 2012 | 1 | 2 |
| Nov 2013 | 1 | 3 |
| Oct 2015 | 1 | 4 |
| Oct 2016 | 1 | 5 |
| Sep 2017 | 1 | 6 |
| Feb 2018 | 1 | 7 |
| Jul 2018 | 2 | 9 |
| Mar 2022 | 1 | 10 |
| Dec 2023 | 1 | 11 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Engine426.7%
- Electrical320.0%
- Powertrain (other)320.0%
- Fuel system213.3%
- Other / unspecified213.3%
- Brakes16.7%
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
1 campaign 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.govRecent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
I have been having issues , not sure what the problem is but the car doesn’t seem like it’s getting proper gas , & it shakes when I drive . I had to park it in the garage after having it towed home due to an unknown issue .
- NHTSA ID
- 11560998
- Incident
- Dec 19, 2023
On 11/10/21 I was advised by Long Beach BMW (Long Beach, CA) that my car needs a new engine. The car smells of gas (both when running and when sitting) and burns excessive amounts of oil. The car requires a quart of oil every 200 - 400 miles. The first engine was replaced after only 77,000 miles because the car was stalling unexpectedly. Now, the current engine needs to be replaced after only 51,000 miles because the car smells of gas (likely because the fuel injection system is not working properly) and because it is burning excessive amounts of oil. BMW expects me to cover the cost of a new engine even thought there is an obvious defect. I contacted BMW of North America and they offered to take the car back & give me $2000 toward a new car. There is currently a recall because of engines at risk of blowing up but for some reason, my car does not appear to be part of that recall. https://abcnews.go.com/amp/US/wireStory/bmw-recalls-vehicles-3rd-time-due-engine-fire-83338862 BMW has been notified of the defects with this car and has diagnosed the defective engine but refuses to replace the engine at their cost as part of the current recall. Instead, the car remains a hazard at risk of catching fire. BMW's negligence is placing me, my family & other travelers at risk of harm or death because they know of the problem & will not address it. This is the 2nd complaint that I've sent to the NHTSA (the first on 9/13/21) and now there is a recall & so the NHTSA is aware of the problem as well.
- NHTSA ID
- 11456105
- Incident
- Sep 13, 2021
WHEN DRIVING FREEWAY OR STREET, TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONS CAUSING IT TO DROP INTO A LOW GEAR AND REDUCE SPEED SIGNIFICANTLY. THERE IS NO MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE ON THE TRANSMISSION. UNFORTUNATELY WILL NEED REPLACEMENT AT 8 YRS & 90K ON ODOMETER. BMW SHOULD RECALL AND FIX.
- NHTSA ID
- 11114176
- Incident
- Jul 20, 2018
- Mileage
- 91,000 mi
LETTER FROM SENATOR GILLIBRAND ON BEHALF OF MADELINE SINGAS, WHO IS THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY OF NASSAU COUNTY, SEEKING ASSISTANCE WITH A DOUBLE HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION FOLLOWING A FATAL CAR ACCIDENT IN HER COUNTY; *LD *JS *JS
- NHTSA ID
- 11111593
- Incident
- Apr 14, 2018
WHEEL CRACKED - RUN FLAT TIRES WOULD NOT HOLD AIR DUE TO UNEXPLAINED CRACK IN WHEEL
- NHTSA ID
- 11074714
- Incident
- Apr 4, 2015
- Mileage
- 40,000 mi
PURCHASED CAR TWO YEARS AGO AND DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION CONTINUES TO LIGHT CONTINUALLY COMES ON, VEHICLE BEGINS TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. I'VE HAD DRIVEN LEXUS VEHICLES FOR THE PRIOR 30 YEARS AND NEVER SPENT SO MUCH TIME AT THE DEALER TRYING TO RESOLVE THE SAME PROBLEM OR ANY MECHANICAL / ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. SWITCHING TO BMW WITHIN THESE PAST TWO YEARS HAVE LITERALLY INTERRUPTED MY LIFE, COST ME TIME AND MONEY AS THIS VEHICLE WAS IN THE REPAIR SHOP (DEALER) FOR MORE THAN 70 DAYS WITHIN TWO YEARS (DEALER SPENT JUST AS MUCH TIME WITH THE CAR AS I). AFTER ALL THE REPAIRS THE FAITHFUL DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION ENTERS MY LIFE YET AGAIN. CAN YOU DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS MAJOR COMPONENT IN THIS CAR. AFTER PURCHASING FOR CASH I THOUGHT I WOULD NOT NEED TO PURCHASE ANOTHER CAR FOR AT LEAST 5-6 OR MORE YEARS BUT ONCE AGAIN I FIND MYSELF HAVING TO NOW BUY A RELIABLE CAR. IF I KNEW BMW VEHICLES WERE THIS MUCH TROUBLE, I WOULD HAVE SAVED AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF CASH BY FINANCING INSTEAD EXPENDING THAT AMOUNT UPFRONT ONLY TO FIND MYSELF "LIVING" AT THE DEALERSHIP. SADDEST PART IS YOUR ORGANIZATION HAS A SAFETY RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT ONLY THE 2011-12 BMW 550I GRAN TURISMOS AND I HAVE THE 2010. I GUESS "AFTER" I PAY FOR THE REPAIR THEN YOU WILL INITIATE A RECALL TO INCLUDE THIS YEAR AS WELL (SAME CAR AS OTHERS, EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, BUT ONE YEAR MAKING THE DIFFERENCE). CAN YOU PLEASE HELP.
- NHTSA ID
- 11030089
- Incident
- Sep 26, 2017
- Mileage
- 70,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 550I. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. BEFORE THE FAILURE, THE ENTIRE PANEL AND ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10915638
- Incident
- Jun 10, 2016
- Mileage
- 90,000 mi
LOST OF POWER WHILE DRIVING, 2 INCIDENT: BAD VIBRATIONS WHILE AT A IDLE.
- NHTSA ID
- 10781339
- Incident
- Oct 11, 2015
- Mileage
- 57,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
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 âÂÂdischarged batteryâ complaints.
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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT
Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicleâÂÂs 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC; STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. Braking from high speed with cold brake components (less than 212 degrees F) increases the likelihood of cracks to form.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: 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. In order to properly repair the vehicle the first time in the workshop, it is very important that the diagnostic test plans are performed to completion, with all results taken into consideration. Without performing the energy diagnosis test plan, the root cause of the discharged battery cannot be identified. This increases the chances of a repeat repair.
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
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.