KnownCarProblems2008 BMW 550i Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 32 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 BMW 550i, most often about the electrical (28% of complaints, typically around 56,500 miles). It is 4th of 11 550i model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2008 BMW 550i problems
Electrical
9 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 56,500 miles.
Vehicle shuts off unexpectedly and fails to restart, additionally the vehicle will randomly fail to start. The engine will shut off while driving at highway speeds, when driving slowly, or shortly after shifting the car into drive from park. No warnings or errors are generally encountered or logged however in rare…
I have been in contact with BMW of north america for 8 weeks. My 2008 BMW 550i caught fire while stationary at a gas station at the gas pump. The fire department was called out to contain the fire. The fire inspector and the fire chief both stated that it was a wiring issue. I have the fire report. I was finally able…
Lights
7 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles.
Frayed and disintegrating headlight wiring present throughout my headlamps. These are sealed enclosures for which there are no preventive maintenance items. This is a serious safety issue as the headlights may fail without warning, particularly in hot weather. These are non consumer replaceable parts and prohibitively…
I have been in contact with BMW of north america for 8 weeks. My 2008 BMW 550i caught fire while stationary at a gas station at the gas pump. The fire department was called out to contain the fire. The fire inspector and the fire chief both stated that it was a wiring issue. I have the fire report. I was finally able…
Engine
6 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 78,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 535i. The contact stated that while traveling 30 MPH, the engine temperature warning light illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to his residence. The vehicle was not taken to a mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the issue. The…
The contact owns a 2008 BMW.the contact stated that he was getting ready to drive the vehicle, however when he started the vehicle, the ABS and check engine lights illuminated.the contact stated that he noticed the vehicle was overheating and turned the vehicle off.the contact heard an unusual sound which came from…
Air bags
6 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 74,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2008 BMW 550i. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who recommended that the passenger seat sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was…
Pass restraint system error. Please help! I get this warning every so often when I get in my car and regardless of a passenger present or not. Several times the beeping signal will begin to make noise, to button the seat belt, even when nothing is in the seat. This is creating a very annoying driving experience.
Seat belts
4 complaints · 13%Pass restraint system error. Please help! I get this warning every so often when I get in my car and regardless of a passenger present or not. Several times the beeping signal will begin to make noise, to button the seat belt, even when nothing is in the seat. This is creating a very annoying driving experience.
Purchased used with 83,000 miles. Currently 100,000. The intermittently reports a failure in the passenger restraint system. When examined by a qualified mechanic, there is no indication of an issue with any of the passenger restraint systems. When this warning is present on the vehicle, I do not know what safety…
Transmission
3 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: manual transmission, clutch assembly.
Vehicle shuts off unexpectedly and fails to restart, additionally the vehicle will randomly fail to start. The engine will shut off while driving at highway speeds, when driving slowly, or shortly after shifting the car into drive from park. No warnings or errors are generally encountered or logged however in rare…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 BMW 550i recalls
Lights: tail lights
Risk: Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear lamp bulb carriers free of charge. Owners may contact bmw customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email bmw at [email protected].
Full defect summary
Bmw is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 528i, 535i, 550i, and m5 passenger cars manufactured from march 1, 2007, through december 31, 2009. Over time, increased resistance at the taillight electrical contact points may cause damage to the ground terminal and housing of the connector resulting in an intermittent or permanent loss of functionality of one or more rear lamp functions (tail, brake, turn-signal, reverse).
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: If stalling were to occur, the driver may not be able to maintain vehicle speed or accelerate and the power steering could fail increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will attach two ground cables in the engine compartment free of charge. The recall began on october 29, 2007. Owners may contact bmw at 1-800-831-1117.
Full defect summary
On certain vehicles equipped with v8 engines, in conditions of below freezing temperatures combined with low humidity, it is possible for electrostatic discharge to occur at the fuel rails. If this were to occur, the engine electronic control unit (ecu) could be affected so that engine stalling could result.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2008 BMW 550i
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 BMW 550i?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (9 complaints, typically around 56,500 miles); lights (7 complaints, typically around 100,000 miles); engine (6 complaints, typically around 78,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 BMW 550i have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 11, 2013 (lights). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the BMW 550i?
- It is 4th of 11 550i model years by number of complaints, with 32 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.