What year BMW 550i should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2011 and 2012 BMW 550i. The 2011 has a complaint index of 100 with 84 complaints and 11 fires, while 2012 has an index of 83 with 35 complaints.

What is the best year for the BMW 550i?

The 2014 BMW 550i is the best year, with a complaint index of just 17 and only 6 complaints, the lowest problem rate among the 7 model years with data.

Does the 2011 BMW 550i have engine problems?

Yes. Engine issues make up 43% of 2011 550i complaints, the top problem area, with a median failure mileage of 71,500 miles, and the year also had 3 recalls including one for the auxiliary water pump.

Are 2010 and 2013 BMW 550i models risky too?

They are marked Caution rather than Avoid. The 2010 has a complaint index of 50 and the 2013 has an index of 67, both well below the 2011 and 2012 figures.

Is the 2016 BMW 550i reliable based on complaints?

The 2016 has only 1 complaint and a complaint index of 0, the lowest of any year, though it does have 2 recalls on record.

BMW 550i Best and Worst Years (2010–2016)

Avoid the 2011 and 2012 BMW 550i, which carry complaint indexes of 100 and 83, the highest in the lineup, driven mainly by engine, electrical, and fuel-system complaints, including 11 fires reported for 2011. The 2014 model year is the best pick with an index of just 17.

Avoid 2011 Avoid 2012 Best 2014

Model years: 7; 2010–2016
NHTSA complaints: 158
Recall campaigns: 8
Crashes reported: 2
Fires reported: 12
Top problem area: Engine

550i Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

BMW 550i problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2010	Caution	50	11	1	0	1	Engine	18	—
2011	Avoid	100	84	1	11	3	Engine	18	5★
2012	Avoid	83	35	0	1	2	Engine	17	5★
2013	Caution	67	15	0	0	1	Engine	19	5★
2014	Best	17	6	0	0	2	Airbags	19	5★
2015	Good	33	6	0	0	0	Fuel System	19	5★
2016	No verdict	0	1	0	0	2	Engine	19.5	—

550i years to avoid: what went wrong

2011 BMW 550i Index 100 · 84 complaints · 3 recalls

The 2011 550i has the highest complaint index (100) of any year and the most complaints (84) despite being one of seven model years covered. Engine problems make up 43% of its complaints, at a median mileage of 71,500, with electrical issues (25%, median 54,000 miles) and fuel system problems (19%, median 52,500 miles) close behind. Owners report engine compartment fires starting shortly after parking, smoke from the trunk battery area, and stalling tied to wiring at the fuse box. NHTSA lists 11 fires and 3 recalls for this year, including an auxiliary water pump replacement, an airbag control unit fix, and a fuel pump module recall.

2011 engine problems →2011 electrical system problems →2011 fuel system problems →

2012 BMW 550i Index 83 · 35 complaints · 2 recalls

The 2012 550i ranks second-worst with a complaint index of 83 across 35 complaints. Engine and fuel system issues each account for 37% of complaints, with median failure mileage around 59,643 and 58,200 miles respectively. Owners report a high-pressure fuel pump causing an engine compartment fire, run-flat tires bubbling and blowing out within months of purchase, and shaking or power loss tied to a chassis malfunction warning. NHTSA lists 1 fire and 2 recalls for this year, covering the auxiliary water pump and fuel pump module.

Most common BMW 550i problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.

Engine64 (41%)
Fuel System41 (26%)
Electrical System31 (20%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires30 (19%)
Transmission & Powertrain27 (17%)
Other12 (8%)
Brakes11 (7%)
Airbags7 (4%)
Steering5 (3%)
Structure & Body5 (3%)

Frequently asked questions

What year BMW 550i should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, avoid the 2011 and 2012 BMW 550i. The 2011 has a complaint index of 100 with 84 complaints and 11 fires, while 2012 has an index of 83 with 35 complaints.
What is the best year for the BMW 550i?: The 2014 BMW 550i is the best year, with a complaint index of just 17 and only 6 complaints, the lowest problem rate among the 7 model years with data.
Does the 2011 BMW 550i have engine problems?: Yes. Engine issues make up 43% of 2011 550i complaints, the top problem area, with a median failure mileage of 71,500 miles, and the year also had 3 recalls including one for the auxiliary water pump.
Are 2010 and 2013 BMW 550i models risky too?: They are marked Caution rather than Avoid. The 2010 has a complaint index of 50 and the 2013 has an index of 67, both well below the 2011 and 2012 figures.
Is the 2016 BMW 550i reliable based on complaints?: The 2016 has only 1 complaint and a complaint index of 0, the lowest of any year, though it does have 2 recalls on record.