2012 BMW 550I Owner Complaints

I was driving when the vehicle engine randomly shut down with out warning I was on the freeway at the time and could have been hit by a car. I took thr car to an auto repair shop, had the problem inspected snddiagnosed and was told the engine was faulty. I had the engine replaced and the same issue occurred. There were no warning lamps, messages, or alerts prior to the problem occurring. The drivetrain malfunction light came on as soon as the engine cut off.

NHTSA ID

11542232

Incident

Sep 1, 2023

The contact owns a 2012 BMW 550i. The contact stated after parking and exiting the vehicle, he noticed coolant leaking on the front driver’s side and saw white smoke exiting near the water pump. The contact stated the low coolant fluid and the drivetrain malfunction warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated the smoke disappeared on its own. The contact stated that he continued driving the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the water pump to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V248000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA ID

11442082

Incident

Aug 1, 2021

Mileage

60,000 mi

My car died in an intersection unexpectedly as if my battery had died. My infant was in the backseat. This was suck a busy intersection that police dept had to park behind me to keep me from being hit. The car could not be put in neutral to move it out of the way. After over an hour we were able to restart the car and excessive battery discharge message displayed. This is on top of me taking it to the dealership for excessive oil consumption and BMW was aware my motor would eventually give out.

NHTSA ID

11440813

Incident

Oct 25, 2021

Engine is available for inspection upon request. Earlier this month, my 550i completely shut off at a traffic light. When attempting to restart the engine, the Starter strained very hard and smoke came out of the engine. Engine was immediately shut off and the car was towed to a local shop. In turn the shop replaced the Starter the following day and heard knocking from the engine once it turned it over. Upon examination the shop pulled open the oil filter and it was full of metal shrapnel. I feel fortunate the car was not in motion at the time of the failure, given the engine shut off with no warning this could have resulted in a catastrophic accident.

NHTSA ID

11424195

Incident

May 26, 2021

2012 F10 had issues while running as car installed and stopped completely multiple times in traffic. Fuel supply sign came on. Diagnosed as low pressure fuel pump degraded and need replacement. Same recall took place for 2007-2011 5 series model as well via recall campaign No. 16v-746: In-Tank Fuel Pump. 2012 have same issue and very dangerous to drive on road when vehicle stalls and stops while driving in traffic

NHTSA ID

11421987

Incident

May 7, 2021

THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP CAUSED A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND TOTALED THE CAR WITH LESS THAN 60K MILES ON IT

NHTSA ID

11399068

Incident

Feb 16, 2021

Mileage

58,200 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 550I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED UPON DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED A SINGULAR COIL AND A SPARK PLUG. TWO MONTHS LATER, THE SAME FAILURE RECURRED AND THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY REPLACED ALL THE COILS AND SPARK PLUGS. UPON RETURN OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING HOME AND THE VEHICLE SHUT-OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE SAME INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE OIL PUMP TIMING CHAIN WAS LOOSENED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V746000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO A DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT A DIAGNOSTIC NEEDED TO BE PERFORMED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DECLINED THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE CONTACT ALSO EMAILED THE MANUFACTURER WHO INFORMED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 118,000.

NHTSA ID

11361593

Incident

Mar 1, 2020

Mileage

118,000 mi

VEHICLE STOPS SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA ID

11361395

Incident

Sep 25, 2020

Mileage

89,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 550I GRAN TURISMO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CLASSIC BMW LOCATED AT 6800 DALLAS PKWY, PLANO, TX 75024, (214) 778-2600, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND THE SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.

NHTSA ID

11325994

Incident

May 21, 2020

Mileage

50,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 550I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT ON VARIOUS OCCASION, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY WITHOUT WARNING WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE DURING THE STEERING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000.

NHTSA ID

11322413

Incident

Mar 17, 2020

Mileage

85,000 mi

WHEN YOU FIRST TURN THE CAR ON IT SOUNDS VERY LOUD FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES (LOUDER THAN NORMAL). WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE CAR WILL START SHAKING AND THE CAR COMPUTER POPS UP SAYING DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION AND YOU HAVE TO PULL OVER TO RESTART. HESITATE BEOFRE TAKING OFF AT A RED LIGHT OR WHEN TURNING IN AN INTERSECTION. COMPUTER ERROR MASSAGE COMES AND GOES.

NHTSA ID

11321577

Incident

Apr 8, 2020

Mileage

87,900 mi

WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE CAR WILL START SHAKING AND THE CAR COMPUTER POPS UP SAYING DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION AND YOU HAVE TO PULL OVER TO RESTART THE CAR. BUT IT DOES IT AGAIN 5-10 MINUTES LATER

NHTSA ID

11315757

Incident

Feb 29, 2020

Mileage

80,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY A POP SOUND HAPPEN AND CAR STARTED TO DRIVE AND SHACKING OCCURRED AND SHIFTING OF GEARS WAS ERRATIC. TRANSFER CASE FAILED MADE VERY DIFFICULT TO GET OUT OF WAY OF TRAFFIC BIT OF STALL AND HESITATION.

NHTSA ID

11277847

Incident

Oct 24, 2019

Mileage

93,339 mi

WHEN I PRESS ON THE GAS TO ACCELERATE THE "DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION" ERROR COMES ON. MY CAR ONLY HAVE 51,000 MILES. I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND WAIT A MINUTE TO RESUME DRIVING.

NHTSA ID

11277330

Incident

Oct 15, 2019

Mileage

51,000 mi

SON WAS DRIVING CAR AND CAR JUST SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT ANY WARNING. CAR WAS TOWED TO BMW DEALERSHIP AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE $3000 TO TEAR DOWN ENGINE TO SEE WHY ENGINE LOCKED UP. CAR WAS BOUGHT 31 MAY 2019 AND SHUT DOWN AFTER DRIVING A LITTLE OVER 3,000 MILES 12 OCTOBER 2019. JUST A COMPLETE RUNAROUND WITH BMW OFFICES.

NHTSA ID

11277197

Incident

Oct 12, 2019

Mileage

78,771 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 5501. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE "SERVICE REQUIRED SOON" MESSAGE ILLUMINATED ON THE MESSAGE CENTER AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO GLOBAL IMPORTS (550 INTERSTATE NORTH PKWY SE, ATLANTA, GA 30339) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED AND A NEW ONE WAS NEEDED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING ODDLY APPROXIMATELY A WEEK BEFORE THE FAILURE, PRESUMABLY DUE TO OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,479.

NHTSA ID

11270829

Incident

Sep 14, 2019

Mileage

49,479 mi

TAKATA RECALL CAR USES EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL, A QUART EVERY WEEK.

NHTSA ID

11255454

Incident

Sep 1, 2018

Mileage

65,000 mi

BMW TEARS UP TIRES CAUSING THEM TO SHREAD WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD. AFTER TWO ALIGNMENTS IN A YEAR. NO FRONT END DAMAGE PER BMW.

NHTSA ID

11255453

Incident

Sep 12, 2019

Mileage

89,900 mi

CAR WILL STALL JERK AND STALL LOSSES POWER WHILE ACCELERATING.

NHTSA ID

11255451

Incident

Sep 6, 2019

Mileage

89,359 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 550I. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE A SHORT DISTANCE, THE CONTACT FELT EXTREME HEAT COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND SMELLED BURNING WIRES. ORANGE COUNTY BMW (101 MAHER LN, HARRIMAN, NY 10926, (845) 782-4269) STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,287.

NHTSA ID

11218438

Incident

May 24, 2019

Mileage

59,287 mi

THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME INCREDIBLY HARD TO PRESS DOWN TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP WHILE IT WAS IN MOTION ON A STREET. THE CAR DEALER REPAIR TOLD ME THE VACUUM PUMP HAD FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11184594

Incident

Mar 4, 2019

Mileage

82,000 mi

"TAKATA RECALL" OUR CAR STARTED FLASHING "INCREASED BATTERY DISCHARGE" AND "ALL ELECTRICAL DEVICES WILL SHUT OFF" WE TOOK IT TO THE BMW HOUSE. THEY DIAGNOSED IT, AS NEEDING A NEW BATTERY. WE REPLACED THE BATTERY AND 1 WEEK LATER THE SAME MESSAGE CAME ON AGAIN "INCREASED BATTERY DISCHARGE' "ALL ELECTRICAL DEVICES WILL SHUT OFF" . WE HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE BMW HOUSE AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT THIS TIME AS NEEDING THE EXTERNAL DOOR HANDLE REPLACED, THEY SAID THE DOOR HANDLE HAD GONE OUT AND THAT SOME PART IN THAT HANDLE PUTS THE CAR TO SLEEP BUT IT WAS NOT ALLOWING THE CAR TO GO TO SLEEP AND THIS PULLED THE BATTERY DOWN. WE REPLACED THAT. THAT LASTED 2 WEEKS AND AGAIN THIS SAME MESSAGE CAME "INCREASED BATTERY DISCHARGE" "ELECTRICAL DEVICES ARE SHUTTING DOWN. I WAS ON THE WAY TO THE BMW HOUSE ONCE AGAIN IT STARTED TO SMELL LIKE WIRES BURNING AND UNDER THE CONSOLE WHERE THE GEAR IS STARTED TO SMOKE BAD!! TO THE POINT THAT I PARKED THE CAR THEN I CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. OUR CAR HAD TO BE HAULED TO THE BMW HOUSE. IT IS UNKNOWN WHY ALL THIS HAPPENED.

NHTSA ID

11139976

Incident

Oct 11, 2018

Mileage

60,000 mi

FUEL PUMP DISENGAGES WHEN THE CAR GETS TOO HOT. IT'S HAPPENED THREE TIMES FORTUNATELY EACH TIME I WAS GOING 20 MPH OR LESS. THE CAR ESSENTIALLY STALLS OUT AND AT HIGHER SPEEDS COULD BE AN ISSUE. BMW HAS MADE A FUEL PUMP RECALL BUT THE 2012 550I DID NOT QUALIFY AND I BELIEVE IT SHOULD.

NHTSA ID

11090889

Incident

Apr 27, 2018

Mileage

35,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 550I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK AGAIN. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER A SECOND TIME AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, IT FAILED TO RESTART THE SECOND TIME. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO NALLY BMW IN DECATUR, GA WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WERE METAL SHAVINGS IN THE OIL AND THERE WAS A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND IN THE ENGINE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN CUSTOMER SERVICE RECALL NUMBER: N63. REPAIRS NEEDED TO BE PERFORMED TO THE ENGINE IN ORDER TO AVOID THE FAILURES LISTED PREVIOUSLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY AND OPENED A CASE REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

NHTSA ID

11016516

Incident

Jul 23, 2017

Mileage

112,000 mi

THE CAR THREW A DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION CODE WHICH HAPPENS WEEKLY ON THESE ENGINES AND THE CAR JUMPED A LANE AS IT MISFIRED AND WENT INTO LIMP DRIVING MODE. IF THERE WAS CARS NEXT TO ME THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A CRASH. SINCE THEN BMW HAS ISSUED A CUSTOMER CAMPAIGN ON THE N63 ENGINE EFFECTING THOUGHTS OF CARS. THEY ARE CHANGING TONS OF PARTS FROM INJECTORS TO FUEL RAILS. IT SHOULD BE A FULL BLOWN RECALL AND THE NHTSA SHOULD GET INVOLVED ON THIS. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SINCE 12/23 AND STILL HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED CORRECTLY. I HAVE A FEELING YOU ARE GOING TO BE GETTING THOUSANDS OF THESE COMPLAINTS AGAINST BMW. THEY NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THESE FAILURES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10676388

Incident

Dec 22, 2014

Mileage

40,800 mi