KnownCarProblems2011 BMW 550i Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 84 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 BMW 550i, most often about the engine (41% of complaints, typically around 73,000 miles). It is the most complained-about 550i model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2011 BMW 550i problems
Engine
34 complaints · 41%Half of these problems showed up before 73,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system.
Drivetrain malfunction car lost power (no acceleration) on the highway shock violently, happened 3 times in less then a year car does have 70k miles but this shouldn't happen.
This car have been n great maintenance always, and suddenly started to throw white smoke as crazy... (75k miles only) I did my search and turns out that is a big problem that many BMW v8 engine that they have .... Big headache to see this kind of luxury car smoking like that
Electrical
20 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 54,000 miles.
I bought the car on may 6, 2015 with about 53k miles on it. Drove it for only about 45 days and while driving the car the drivetrain malfunction and other lights came on and the car lost power and stopped immediately. At first, I thought it was the battery and had the car jumped but that didn't work. The care engine…
My 2011 BMW 550i has thrice had this weird response in the past 6 months. After driving for 30m-1h suddenly got multiple different warning lights before I lost control of steering (stiff like a dead body) and brakes following which the car stalled. It was towed to the dealership who said this was a bad battery which…
Wheels and tires
16 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 7,000 miles.
This complaint is concerning my 2011 BMW 550i. I have been having problems with my BMW since about 7000 miles on the vehicle. The brakes keep locking, the rotors keep grinding and grooving, nose coming from the brakes while driving and stopping, and the dealer has changed them more than 4 times and the issues…
Automobile was purchased in may 2011, and I have had to replace my goodyear p245/40r19 run flat tires six (6) times. I have experienced 4 sidewall blowouts, some on interstate some on regular roads. I have had to replace two tires due to sidewall bubbles, due to tire sidewall breakdown. This automobile is not safe at…
Fuel system
16 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 52,500 miles. Parts named most often: fuel injection system.
The 2011 BMW 550i had just recently been parked and turned off. After no more than 10 minutes after it was parked, it burst into flames coming from the engine compartment on the passenger side. Then very quickly spread throughout the entire car. The car was parked in an attached garage thus not only completely burning…
This vehicle has had multiple recalls. The latest one was campaign no. 18v-248. BMW has yet to do anything for my vehicle, even after it burnt itself to the ground and a portion of my home. They did not add any explanation or attempt to investigate this situation. It is still undefined how this vehicle lit itself on…
Transmission
14 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles. Parts named most often: driveline.
I bought the car on may 6, 2015 with about 53k miles on it. Drove it for only about 45 days and while driving the car the drivetrain malfunction and other lights came on and the car lost power and stopped immediately. At first, I thought it was the battery and had the car jumped but that didn't work. The care engine…
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 550i. While driving 35 MPH, the drive train malfunction warning message illuminated. The contact also stated that when depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle shook violently, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled along with the drive train warning light.…
Other or unspecified
8 complaints · 10%Engine overheating,burning a lot of oil,also having issues with the spark plug and coils,having misfires for the engine compartment heat expanding gaskets allowing oil to reach spark plugs loosing powertrain while driving causing car to slow down,this is the fourth time in the last 2 years that we have this issue,also…
This vehicle when being used has excessive consumption of oil and oil leaks. This problem cause the engine, engine turbos, valve stems and seals and oil pan seals to go bad prior to normal vehicle engine/part life. There is currently a settled class action lawsuit that replaces the engine at a percentage based on…
Air bags
5 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: sensor.
I was rear ended on the left side exiting the freeway when my car spun to the right into a guardrail head on and continued into a 360 degree motion. The roads were clear and normal weather conditions. After my vehicle stopped spinning my vehicle had a message stating restraint system failure and the airbags never…
Brakes
4 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: power assist.
This complaint is concerning my 2011 BMW 550i. I have been having problems with my BMW since about 7000 miles on the vehicle. The brakes keep locking, the rotors keep grinding and grooving, nose coming from the brakes while driving and stopping, and the dealer has changed them more than 4 times and the issues…
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 550i. While driving 70 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the drive train warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle lost momentum. Also, the brake pedal did not stop the vehicle when it was depressed. The contact was able to slow down the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2011 BMW 550i recalls
Engine: turbo/supercharger
Risk: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning june 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact bmw customer service at bmw 1-800-525-7417, mini at 1-866-825-1525, or rolls-royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: bmw recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.
Full defect summary
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 convertible, john cooper works (jcw) convertible, cooper s countryman, cooper s countryman all4, cooper s, jcw, cooper s clubman, jcw clubman, cooper s roadster, jcw roadster, cooper s coupe, jcw coupe and rolls-royce ghost, 2011 bmw x6 hybrid and 2012 bmw 650i coupe, 650i xdrive coupe, 650i convertible and 650i xdrive convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.
Air bags: sensor/control module-inactive
Risk: Depending on the severity of the crash, inadequate activation of the driver and/or passenger air bags, safety belt pre-tensioners and active head restraints may increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the scu, free of charge. The recall began on december 16, 2016. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain model year 2011 bmw 528i, 528xi, 535i, 535xi, 550i and 550xi vehicles manufactured march 1, 2010, through august 31, 2011. The affected vehicles may have received a replacement sensor cluster unit (scu) during a service visit. These scus have an acceleration sensor that may have been incorrectly programmed and, as a result, the scu may not accurately determine if activation and deployment of the air bags, safety belt pre-tensioners and head restraints is necessary in the event of a crash.
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: The loose wires may cause the connector to melt, resulting in a fuel leak. Additionally, the fuel pump may stop working, possibly causing an engine stall and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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 gran turismo, 535i gran turismo, 550i xdrive gran turismo and 550i gran turismo, 2011-2012 528i, 535i, 535i xdrive, 550i and 550i xdrive and 2012 535i activehybrid, 640i convertible, 650i convertible, 650i xdrive convertible, 650i coupe and 650i coupe xdrive vehicles. The affected vehicles have in-tank fuel pumps that may have insufficiently crimped wire contacts.
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 2011 BMW 550i
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 BMW 550i?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (34 complaints, typically around 73,000 miles); electrical (20 complaints, typically around 54,000 miles); wheels and tires (16 complaints, typically around 7,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2011 BMW 550i have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 18, 2018 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2011 a bad year for the BMW 550i?
- It is the most complained-about 550i model year since 2000, with 84 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.