RoadVitals

2010 BMW 550I Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
11
Latest Dec 19, 2023
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
6
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

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2010 BMW 550I, 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

  • 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.

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.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed 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 · filed Mar 10, 2022

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Sep 27, 2017

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 · filed Oct 12, 2016

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Dec 19, 2023

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 · filed Jul 27, 2018

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Dec 19, 2023

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 · filed Sep 27, 2017

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHEEL CRACKED - RUN FLAT TIRES WOULD NOT HOLD AIR DUE TO UNEXPLAINED CRACK IN WHEEL

NHTSA ID 11074714 · filed Feb 25, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 550GT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR ALERTED LOW TIRE PRESSURE. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND THEN RESUMED OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE CENTER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL EXHIBITED TWO HAIRLINE CRACKS ON THE INNER PORTION. THE WHEEL WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,120.

NHTSA ID 10460229 · filed Jun 1, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 550I. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A SQUEAKY NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE WEEKS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS AT LEAST THREE TIMES. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE SERVICE REPAIRS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE MALFUNCTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED IN WHICH THERE WAS NO ASSISTANCE PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,137.

NHTSA ID 10311334 · filed Feb 17, 2010

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

Data on this page last refreshed .