2012 BMW 550i Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
83/100
#2 most-complained of 7 550i years
The 2012 BMW 550i has 35 NHTSA complaints and a Complaint Index of 83, ranking 2nd worst of 7 model years. It carries 2 recalls covering the engine and fuel system, with Engine and Fuel System issues each making up 37% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 35
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 17
- 15 city / 22 hwy
Top 2012 BMW 550i problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Owners report the high-pressure fuel pump failing and, in one case, catching fire in the engine compartment near the median 58,200-mile mark.
- Run-flat tires reportedly develop sidewall bubbles and blow out after just a few thousand miles, sometimes requiring multiple replacements within months.
- Some drivers describe the engine stalling and refusing to restart, with dealers diagnosing a hydro-locked engine.
- Owners report the drivetrain throwing a malfunction code, causing misfires and the vehicle to jump lanes or enter limp mode.
- The fuel pump has been described as disengaging when hot, causing the car to stall at low speeds, with owners noting the 2012 model did not qualify for BMW's related recall.
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?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2012 550i ranks 2nd worst among 7 model years, with a Complaint Index of 83 and a verdict of Avoid relative to other years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 BMW 550i?
- NHTSA data shows Engine and Fuel System issues each account for 37% of complaints, followed by Suspension, Wheels & Tires at 26%.
- Does the 2012 BMW 550i have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls: one for the electric auxiliary water pump (engine) and one for the fuel pump module, though owners note the 2012 550i did not qualify for the fuel pump recall despite reporting similar issues.
- Which BMW 550i year is worse than 2012?
- The 2011 550i is worse, with 84 complaints, 3 recalls, and a Complaint Index of 100, the highest among the 7 years with data.
- What mileage do 2012 BMW 550i problems typically appear at?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 59,287 miles overall, with Engine failures at a median of 59,643.5 miles and Fuel System failures at 58,200 miles.