2016 BMW 550i Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
No verdict The 2016 BMW 550i has just 1 NHTSA complaint and a complaint index of 0, the lowest of all 11 model years, ranking least problematic (11th worst, i.e. best) in the lineup. It has 2 recalls, neither marked do-not-drive.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 0/100
- #11 of 11 550i years
- Verdict
- No verdict
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 1
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19.5
- 16.5 city / 24.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2016 BMW 550i problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine1 (100%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (100%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine burns through oil at a rapid rate, with one owner noting roughly a quart consumed every 750-800 miles.
- The excessive oil consumption showed up by around 36,343 miles, which the owner considered low mileage for this issue.
- Owners describe being told by a dealership that this oil use is considered normal for the engine.
2016 BMW 550i recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V914000Dec 20, 2016Airbags3,506 vehicles
Air bags
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2017 BMW 640i, 640i xDrive, 650i, 650i xDrive, M6, 535i, 535i xDrive, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, i3, i8, Rolls-Royce Dawn, Mini Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Cooper All4, Cooper S All4, Mini 4-Door Cooper, Cooper S, Mini 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works and 2016 BMW 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, M5 and 535d vehicles. The affected vehicles have seat- mounted side air bag inflator initiators that may fail to ignite during a crash.
Risk: If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- NHTSA 15V718000Oct 30, 2015Other7,162 vehicles
Child seat
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535d xDrive, M5, 550i, 550i xDrive, and 535d sedans. The affected vehicles have an inboard lower anchor for child restraints on the left rear seat that may have been bent downwards, preventing the child seat from fully engaging both lower anchors. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
Risk: If the child seat is not properly attached to the lower anchors, it can increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair the inboard lower anchor on the left rear seat, free of charge. The recall began on December 28, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
2016 BMW 550i fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16.5 MPG
- Highway
- 24.5 MPG
- Combined
- 19.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,100
- 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.
2016 compared with other 550i years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 BMW 550i reliable?
- NHTSA data shows only 1 complaint for the 2016 550i, giving it a complaint index of 0, the lowest among all 11 model years covered. It ranks as the least problematic year in the 550i lineup based on owner complaints.
- What problems does the 2016 BMW 550i have?
- The single reported complaint involves the engine burning oil at a high rate, noticed around 36,343 miles. Both listed problem areas, Engine and Transmission & Powertrain, tie at 100% share since there is only one complaint on record.
- Does the 2016 BMW 550i have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls for this year: one for airbag modules (campaign 16V914000) and one for a child seat lower anchor issue (campaign 15V718000). Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2016 550i compare to other 550i model years?
- The 2016 model has a complaint index of 0, far below years like 2011 (index 100, Avoid) and 2008 (index 90, Avoid). Among the 11 model years with data, 2016 ranks least problematic.