The 2011 BMW 550i has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 184,085 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 144 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 6, 2026.
Recall campaigns
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING18V2480002018-04-1847,806 affected
Defect
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,…
Consequence
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…
AIR BAGS16V8320002016-11-1791 affected
Defect
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2011 BMW 528i, 528xi, 535i, 535xi, 550i and 550xi vehicles manufactured March 1, 2010, through August 31, 2011. The affected vehicles may have received a replacement Sensor Cluster Unit (SCU) during a service visit. These SCUs have an acceleration…
Consequence
Depending on the severity of the crash, inadequate activation of the driver and/or passenger air bags, safety belt pre-tensioners and active head restraints may increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the SCU, free of charge. The recall began on December 16, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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…
Consequence
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.
Complaints by component
ENGINE
32
6fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
20
8fires
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
14
4fires
POWER TRAIN
13
TIRES
12
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
8
WHEELS
6
AIR BAGS
5
1crashes
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
4
1crashes1fires
SEAT BELTS
4
Total complaints144
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“My 2011 bmw 550i experienced an unexpected fire in my driveway while my wife and I were sleeping. The fire nearly caused our house to catch fire and also resulted in damage to my bmw z4. I would appreciate the opportunity to speak with someone regarding this matter. For your reference, the last…”
“My 2011 bmw 550i experienced an unexpected fire in my driveway while my wife and I were sleeping. The fire nearly caused our house to catch fire and also resulted in damage to my bmw z4. I would appreciate the opportunity to speak with someone regarding this matter. For your reference, the last…”
“My 2011 bmw 550i experienced an unexpected fire in my driveway while my wife and I were sleeping. The fire nearly caused our house to catch fire and also resulted in damage to my bmw z4. I would appreciate the opportunity to speak with someone regarding this matter. For your reference, the last…”
“Vehicle displays transmission malfunction & dsc and xdrive malfunction, this vehicle is available upon request for inspection. Currently been to two dealerships and all I got from the first dealership is to replace transmission at 59k mile. I purchased a used transmission same problem exist in the…”
“Vehicle displays transmission malfunction & dsc and xdrive malfunction, this vehicle is available upon request for inspection. Currently been to two dealerships and all I got from the first dealership is to replace transmission at 59k mile. I purchased a used transmission same problem exist in the…”
“Vehicle displays transmission malfunction & dsc and xdrive malfunction, this vehicle is available upon request for inspection. Currently been to two dealerships and all I got from the first dealership is to replace transmission at 59k mile. I purchased a used transmission same problem exist in the…”
“The contact owns a 2011 bmw 550i. The contact stated that after having an oil change performed, he noticed white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a stem valve cover failure. The contact was informed that the valve…”
“Vehicle was parked while running errands, returned to leave and it would not start. Went to trunk to check battery connection and found that the positive battery cable had burnt in two where it connects to cable that runs to the engine compartment. Carpet cover and sound deadening coating had…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2011 BMW 550i as of
July 6, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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