2008 BMW 550I recalls and problems

The 2008 BMW 550I has 2 recalls and 32 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is electrical system.

How the 2008 compares

High

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

High complaint count among 11 550I model years — 4th most.

2recalls

32complaints

1crashes

3fires

1injuries

78,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

Check your VIN →

2 recalls

Exterior Lighting

Sep 11, 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V407000 · 134,100 vehicles

Problem: 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 intermittent or permanent loss of functionality of one or more rear lamp functions (tail, brake, turn-signal, reverse).

Risk: Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy & notes

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 CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Engine

Oct 12, 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V479000 · 29,250 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Risk: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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 & notes

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.

Customers May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Unknown or other2

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2008 vs. other BMW 550I years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2008. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2008 BMW 550I have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns covering the 2008 BMW 550I, the latest from Sep 11, 2013 (exterior lighting). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2008 BMW 550I?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention electrical system (9), exterior lighting (7), air bags (6). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.