The 2008 BMW 550i has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 163,350 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 49 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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…
Consequence
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].
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING07V4790002007-10-1229,250 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
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.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
9
3fires
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
7
1fires
AIR BAGS
6
ENGINE
5
1fires
SEAT BELTS
4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
2
POWER TRAIN
2
TIRES
2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
Total complaints49
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Vehicle abruptly shut off while reversing out of my driveway. Vehicle restarted after a long crank and appeared to enter a reduced power mode/limp mode with a transmission fault that locked the transmission in 4th gear. Reading obd2 codes revealed a code for the crankshaft position sensor.…”
“Vehicle abruptly shut off while reversing out of my driveway. Vehicle restarted after a long crank and appeared to enter a reduced power mode/limp mode with a transmission fault that locked the transmission in 4th gear. Reading obd2 codes revealed a code for the crankshaft position sensor.…”
“The daytime running lights aka angel eyes wiring is sub-standard. The plastic coating on the wires for the daytime running lights/angel eyes has melted away exposing bare wiring that has fused causing the lights to malfunction and not work. I believe the manufacturer is aware of this sub-standard…”
“I was driving and came to a stop and noticed smoke and an odd smell coming from under the hood. The heater control valve and the wire connector started to smolder and melt the plastic. If it wasn’t for me disconnecting the connector wire to the heater control valve, it would have definitely…”
“The contact owns a 2008 bmw 550i. The contact stated while driving 65 mph, the accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway and turned off and restarted the vehicle however, the…”
“The contact owns a 2008 bmw.the contact stated that he was getting ready to drive the vehicle, however when he started the vehicle, the abs and check engine lights illuminated.the contact stated that he noticed the vehicle was overheating and turned the vehicle off.the contact heard an unusual…”
“The wiring in my headlight assembly is crumbling and the headlight is shorting out. The coating on the wiring is trash. I own a 08 bmw550i. Bmw should be ashamed. Thanks [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).”
“The wiring in my headlight assembly is crumbling and the headlight is shorting out. The coating on the wiring is trash. I own a 08 bmw550i. Bmw should be ashamed. Thanks [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2008 BMW 550i as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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