YearToAvoid

2007 BMW 550i Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

80/100

#3 most-complained of 11 550i years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2007 BMW 550i has 37 owner complaints and 2 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 80 out of 100 — #3 highest of 11 550i model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is airbags (8 complaints, 22% of the total). Complaints report 3 crashes and 1 fire.

Complaints
37
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
3 / 1
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
18
15 city / 22 hwy

Top 2007 BMW 550i problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags8 (22%)
  2. Electrical System7 (19%)
  3. Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (19%)
  4. Engine6 (16%)
  5. Steering6 (16%)
  6. Other4 (11%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain3 (8%)
  8. Brakes2 (5%)
  9. Seat Belts1 (3%)
  10. Structure & Body1 (3%)
2007 BMW 550i complaints: complaints filed per month5Dec 2006Dec 2008Nov 2010Jun 2012Jan 2014May 2016Oct 2019Apr 2021
45 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2006 to Oct 2021; peak Jun 2014 (5).

2007 BMW 550i recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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].

  2. 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

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020062007200820092010201120122013201420152016
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2006Caution6023316
2007Avoid8037218
2008Avoid9032218
2009No verdict102118

All BMW 550i years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2007 BMW 550i a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2007 BMW 550i ranks #3 of 11 among 550i model years (Complaint Index 80/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 37 complaints and 2 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2007 BMW 550i?
The most reported problem areas are airbags (8 complaints), electrical system (7 complaints), and suspension, wheels & tires (7 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 72,100 miles.
Does the 2007 BMW 550i have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2007 BMW 550i, most recently reported 2013, covering airbags and engine.
What is the fuel economy of the 2007 BMW 550i?
EPA rates the 2007 BMW 550i at 18 MPG combined (15 city / 22 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.