2008 BMW 550i Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2008 BMW 550i has a complaint index of 90, ranking 2nd worst among 11 model years, with 32 complaints, 2 recalls, and 3 fires reported. Electrical System problems dominate at 41% of complaints, giving 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
- 90/100
- #2 of 11 550i years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 32
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 15 city / 22.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2008 BMW 550i problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System13 (41%)
- Engine7 (22%)
- Airbags6 (19%)
- Seat Belts4 (13%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (9%)
- Fuel System2 (6%)
- Other2 (6%)
- Structure & Body2 (6%)
- Brakes1 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report electrical wiring fires occurring both while stationary at a gas pump and while parked for days, with smoke coming from the engine bay.
- A leaked water bottle stored in the trunk caused an electrical short that burned wires and modulators at 6,000 miles.
- Some owners describe the transmission failing to disengage cruise control when downshifting, forcing them to brake instead of shift.
- Owners report the vehicle randomly shutting off and failing to restart, including while driving at highway speed, sometimes without warning lights.
- Brake pedal hesitation was traced to a leaking vacuum pump, with the dealer denying it was covered under a related NHTSA brake recall.
2008 BMW 550i recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 13V407000Sep 11, 2013Electrical System134,100 vehicles
Exterior lighting:tail lights
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).
Risk: Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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].
- 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.
2008 BMW 550i fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 22.5 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.
2008 compared with other 550i years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 BMW 550i reliable?
- Relative to other 550i model years, the 2008 is one of the worse choices: it has a complaint index of 90 and ranks 2nd worst out of 11 model years tracked, driven mainly by Electrical System complaints (41% of the total).
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 BMW 550i?
- Electrical System issues lead with 13 complaints (41% share) and a median failure mileage of 85,000, followed by Engine problems (7 complaints, 94,000 median mileage) and Airbags (6 complaints, 74,000 median mileage).
- Does the 2008 BMW 550i have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists two recalls: one for taillight electrical contacts causing increased resistance (campaign 13V407000) and one for possible electrostatic discharge at the fuel rails in cold, dry conditions (campaign 07V479000).
- Did the 2008 BMW 550i have fire complaints?
- Yes, NHTSA complaint data lists 3 fire reports for the 2008 550i, several tied to wiring issues in the Electrical System category.
- How does the 2008 550i compare to other years?
- The 2008 550i's complaint index of 90 is worse than 2006 (60), 2010 (40), and 2014 (20), but slightly better than 2011, which has the highest index of 100 among tracked years.