2012 BMW 550i Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2012 BMW 550i has a Caution verdict with a complaint index of 70, ranking 4th worst out of 11 model years. Owners most often reported Engine and Fuel System problems (13 complaints each, 37% share), with two recalls covering the engine water pump and fuel system.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 70/100
- #4 of 11 550i years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 35
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 17
- 15 city / 22 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2012 BMW 550i problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine13 (37%)
- Fuel System13 (37%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (26%)
- Electrical System4 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain4 (11%)
- Steering2 (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
- Engine stalls or hydro-locks unexpectedly, sometimes at low speeds around 30 mph and failing to restart afterward.
- High pressure fuel pump has caused engine compartment fires, in one case totaling the vehicle at 58,200 miles.
- Fuel pump disengages when the engine runs hot, causing the car to stall out at low speeds around 20 mph.
- Run-flat tires develop sidewall bubbles and fail repeatedly, sometimes after only a few thousand miles, with owners replacing multiple tires within months.
- Engine misfires and throws a drivetrain malfunction code, sometimes causing the car to jump lanes or enter limp mode.
- Vehicle shakes at speed, followed by an engine malfunction light and failure to restart on a second attempt.
2012 BMW 550i recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V248000Apr 18, 2018Engine47,806 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine
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.
Risk: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 16V746000Oct 17, 2016Fuel System136,188 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
2012 BMW 550i fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 22 MPG
- Combined
- 17 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,700
- 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.
2012 compared with other 550i years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 BMW 550i reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2012 550i a Caution verdict with a complaint index of 70, ranking 4th worst among 11 model years. Engine and Fuel System issues account for the largest share of complaints, each at 37%.
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 BMW 550i?
- Owners most frequently reported Engine and Fuel System problems, each making up 37% of complaints, followed by Suspension, Wheels & Tires issues at 26%.
- Does the 2012 BMW 550i have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists two recalls: one for replacing the electric auxiliary water pump (engine) and one for replacing the fuel pump module (fuel system).
- How does the 2012 550i compare to other model years?
- The 2012 has a complaint index of 70, worse than 2010 (40, Good), 2014 (20, Best), and 2015 (30, Good), but better than 2011 (100, Avoid) and 2008 (90, Avoid).
- At what mileage do 2012 BMW 550i problems typically appear?
- Median mileage at failure across all complaints is 59,287 miles, with Engine complaints at 59,643 miles and Fuel System complaints at 58,200 miles.