2012 BMW 550I — Model Year Report: verdict, complaints & recalls

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2012: 35 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2006	23
2007	37
2008	32
2009	2
2010	11
2011	84
2012	35
2013	15
2014	6
2015	6
2016	1
2017	0

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE 37%

37% of complaints: engine — 13 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

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

NHTSA ODI report, 20210304

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 31%

31% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 11 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

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

NHTSA ODI report, 20210304

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180429

TIRES 23%

23% of complaints: tires — 8 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

1. NEW 2012 BMW 550XI M SPORT PACKAGE W/APPROX. 6,700 MILES ON FOUR OEM GOODYEAR EAGLE LS2 ROF 245/40R19 98V (DOT NE66 JP1R 3411) TIRES. NO RECOLLECTION OF HITTING ANY POTHOLES, SPEEDBUMPS, CURBS, ETC. 2. NOTICED APPROX.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120613

AFTER DRIVING ONLY A FEW THOUSAND MILES THE TIRES ON THE CAR FAILED. THE TWO FRONT TIRES "BUBBLED. WITHIN ONE MONTH AFTER, THE LEFT FRONT FAILED BY "BLOWING". IN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS ALL FOUR "NEW" TIRES FAILED, WITH THE SAME "BUBBLING" ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120328

WHEELS 11%

11% of complaints: wheels — 4 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

AFTER DRIVING ONLY A FEW THOUSAND MILES THE TIRES ON THE CAR FAILED. THE TWO FRONT TIRES "BUBBLED. WITHIN ONE MONTH AFTER, THE LEFT FRONT FAILED BY "BLOWING". IN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS ALL FOUR "NEW" TIRES FAILED, WITH THE SAME "BUBBLING" ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120328

POWER TRAIN 11%

11% of complaints: power train — 4 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20170208 — fuel system, gasoline

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 BMW X5 3.0si, X5 4.8i, X5 M, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i and X5 xDrive50i, 2008-2011 X6 x Drive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 535i xDrive...

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Campaign 16V746000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180615 — engine and engine cooling

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...

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.

Campaign 18V248000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2012 BMW 550I — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for engine issues (13 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (11 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for tires issues (8 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 16V746000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
Verify recall 18V248000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.

FAQ

Is the 2012 BMW 550I reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 BMW 550I?

The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 37% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2012 BMW 550I have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.