2007 BMW 550i Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2007 BMW 550i has a complaint index of 80, ranking 3rd worst among 11 model years, with 37 complaints and 2 recalls. Airbags, electrical system, and suspension issues dominate, earning it an Avoid verdict relative to other 550i years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 80/100
- #3 of 11 550i years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 37
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 15 city / 22 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2007 BMW 550i problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags8 (22%)
- Electrical System7 (19%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (19%)
- Engine6 (16%)
- Steering6 (16%)
- Other4 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (8%)
- Brakes2 (5%)
- Seat Belts1 (3%)
- Structure & Body1 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags deployed unexpectedly during low-speed impacts, with related warning lights staying on.
- Headlight and tail light wiring melted in some cars, triggering intermittent tail light and restraint warning messages, in one case with a fire.
- The transmission jerked or lurched erratically at intersections and stop lights at very low mileage.
- Rear tires wore unevenly on the inner edge while showing plenty of tread on the outer portion, sometimes leading to blowouts.
- Wheels cracked or bent along the inner edge without any obvious impact, in some cases causing slow air leaks.
- Power steering failed intermittently at highway and city speeds, with warning lights pointing to a steering column chip problem.
2007 BMW 550i recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 13V564000Nov 12, 2013Airbags76,565 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans and 325xi sports wagons, model year 2007 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi sedans and 328i and 328xi sports wagons, model year 2006-2007 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i sedans and 530xi sports wagons, model year 2006 760i sedans, model year 2006-2007 750i, 750Li, and 760Li sedans, and model year 2006 X5 sports activity vehicles, equipped with certain seat types. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if and how the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.
Risk: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners with an interim notification letter in January 2014 since parts are not currently available. When parts are available, BMW sent a second letter in August and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, free of charge. Additionally, owners of model year 2006-2007 3 Series with standard seats, 5 Series with comfort seats, and Z4 models, will receive an extended warranty on their front passenger seat occupant detection mat. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].
- NHTSA 07V479000Oct 12, 2007Engine29,250 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling
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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
2007 BMW 550i fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 22 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,450
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2007 compared with other 550i years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2007 BMW 550i reliable?
- Compared with other 550i model years, the 2007 ranks 3rd worst out of 11 years tracked, with a complaint index of 80 and 37 NHTSA complaints, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to the rest of the lineup.
- What are the most common problems with the 2007 BMW 550i?
- NHTSA complaints point to airbags (22% of complaints), electrical system issues (19%), and suspension/wheel/tire problems (19%) as the top problem areas, followed by engine and steering complaints.
- Does the 2007 BMW 550i have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists two recalls: one for airbags (campaign 13V564000) and one for engine fuel rail electrostatic discharge risk in freezing, low-humidity conditions (campaign 07V479000).
- How does the 2007 550i compare to the 2011 model year?
- The 2011 550i has a higher complaint index of 100 with 84 complaints, worse than the 2007's index of 80 with 37 complaints, though both carry an Avoid verdict.
- What mileage do 2007 BMW 550i problems typically show up at?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 72,100 across all complaints, though airbag issues centered around 76,400 miles and suspension issues around 39,500 miles.