What are the worst years for the BMW 650i?

The 2006, 2007, and 2012 model years are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes of 78, 100, and 89 respectively out of the years covered from 2006 to 2017.

What is the most common problem with the BMW 650i?

Across all years covered, the Engine is the top problem area with 35 complaints, 34% of the 104 total complaints logged with NHTSA.

Does the BMW 650i have recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns across the 2006-2017 650i, including fuel-rail electrostatic discharge on V8 engines and, for 2012, an electric water pump and fuel pump module replacement.

Is the 2007 BMW 650i reliable?

The 2007 650i has the highest complaint index (100) of any 650i year and is rated Avoid, with owners reporting airbag deployment failures and electrical fires.

BMW 650i Best and Worst Years (2006–2017)

Avoid the 2006, 2007, and 2012 BMW 650i, which carry the highest complaint indexes (78, 100, and 89) and multiple recalls. The 2010 and 2014 are rated Good, with complaint indexes of only 33 and 44, and no recalls in the dataset.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2006 Avoid 2007 Avoid 2012

Model years: 10; 2006–2017
NHTSA complaints: 104
Recall campaigns: 5
Crashes reported: 2
Fires reported: 10
Top problem area: Engine

650i Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

BMW 650i problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2006	Avoid	78	20	1	2	1	Brakes	—	—
2007	Avoid	100	22	1	4	1	Airbags	—	—
2008	Caution	56	6	0	1	0	Electrical System	—	—
2009	No verdict	22	4	0	0	0	Airbags	—	—
2010	Good	33	5	0	0	0	Engine	—	—
2012	Avoid	89	20	0	2	2	Engine	17	—
2013	Caution	67	16	0	1	0	Engine	19	—
2014	Good	44	6	0	0	0	Suspension, Wheels & Tires	19.5	—
2015	No verdict	11	4	0	0	1	Engine	19.5	—
2017	No verdict	0	1	0	0	1	Electrical System	19	—

650i years to avoid: what went wrong

2007 BMW 650i Index 100 · 22 complaints · 1 recalls

The 2007 650i has the highest complaint index of any year at 100 and ranks worst overall. Airbags and electrical system problems each account for 23% of complaints. Owners reported airbags failing to deploy in crashes, at a median mileage of 50,000 miles, and electrical wiring or seat heaters catching fire, in one case at 99,000 miles. This year recorded a death and four fire incidents. NHTSA lists one recall for fuel-rail electrostatic discharge risk on V8 engines.

2012 BMW 650i Index 89 · 20 complaints · 2 recalls

The 2012 650i has a complaint index of 89 and ranks second-worst overall. Engine problems dominate, making up 60% of complaints, with owners describing the engine losing power and entering a reduced-power drivetrain mode, at a median mileage of 67,000 miles. Structure and body complaints, including seat heaters smoking or catching fire, made up 20% of reports. NHTSA lists two recalls for this year, covering an electric auxiliary water pump and a fuel pump module replacement.

2006 BMW 650i Index 78 · 20 complaints · 1 recalls

The 2006 650i has a complaint index of 78 and ranks third-worst of all years covered. Brakes and structure/body issues each make up 25% of complaints, with owners reporting brake pedals that went soft and traveled to the floor without stopping the car, sometimes leading to a crash, at a median mileage of 72,000 miles. Seat heaters were also reported to smoke or burn through upholstery. NHTSA lists one recall for this year, covering electrostatic discharge risk at the fuel rails on V8 engines in cold, dry conditions.

Most common BMW 650i problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Engine35 (34%)
Electrical System14 (13%)
Structure & Body14 (13%)
Airbags12 (12%)
Transmission & Powertrain12 (12%)
Brakes11 (11%)
Fuel System11 (11%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires11 (11%)
Seat Belts8 (8%)
Other7 (7%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What are the worst years for the BMW 650i?: The 2006, 2007, and 2012 model years are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes of 78, 100, and 89 respectively out of the years covered from 2006 to 2017.
What are the best years for the BMW 650i?: The 2010 and 2014 model years are rated Good, with complaint indexes of only 33 and 44 and no recalls listed for either year.
What is the most common problem with the BMW 650i?: Across all years covered, the Engine is the top problem area with 35 complaints, 34% of the 104 total complaints logged with NHTSA.
Does the BMW 650i have recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns across the 2006-2017 650i, including fuel-rail electrostatic discharge on V8 engines and, for 2012, an electric water pump and fuel pump module replacement.
Is the 2007 BMW 650i reliable?: The 2007 650i has the highest complaint index (100) of any 650i year and is rated Avoid, with owners reporting airbag deployment failures and electrical fires.