2006 BMW 550I: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 23 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2017
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 23 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2006 BMW 550I. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the front passenger's side air bag warning light remained illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V428000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 184,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2023
“Nexen tires n5000 plus sidewall on all tires are starting to crack and split with less than 30,000 miles and 24 months of use. Going to replace tires with another brand and remove these due to unsafe and potential catastrophic failure of tires coming apart or blowout at highway speeds..”Owner report · Wheels · Nov 2019
“Headlight wire insulation flaking off and wires are shorting causing headlight to go off. Wires short and arcing. The headlight went off while driving on highway at night.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Mar 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“There is fuel leaking from the main fuel line to the fuel rail. Extremely dangerous upon research I have found that this is a common problem with my model which explains why bmw's catch fire. Does someone have to die before they fix this problem?”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2017
“Altough my 2006 bmw 550i v8 is hard to stop and falls under bmw brake vacuum pump recall released november 2010, for some reason my VIN doesnt bring up the recall. Bmw refused to fix.a wasted 1 hour trip and day.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Apr 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 550i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 13v564000 (air bags); however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to bmw of las vegas (6900 w sahara ave, nv 89117, (702) 570-0279), but the part was not available for the repair. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2016
“Front passenger air bag light warming on I-drive and air bad light lit on dash. Passenger restraint failure. Fault in passenger restraint system affecting air bag,belt tensioner or belt-force limiter.fasten and continue to wear belts. On 24-7. From the moment you start the car till the moment you shut it off.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2016
“My 06 bmw 550i is having an electric wheel lock fault just like thousands of others this as you know could possibly lead to an accident. It is my understanding that bmw has issued a service bulletin acknowledging the issue. Any assistance is greatly appreciated. *tr”Owner report · Wheels · Mar 2015
“Defective elv steering lock prevents the car from starting. The lock can't be disabled. This should be a recall. The lock is unnnecssary for safe operation of the vehicle. The lock can't be disabled. At the very least, the owner should be able to disable it.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2015
“Steering malfunction issue and restraint system malfunction message. I'm aware that bmw had recalls on these issues that I am having however I called bmw usa and my VIN number they say wasn't involved in the recall. However I'm having the same issue. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans and 325xi sports wagons, model year 2007 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi sedans and 328i and 328xi sports wagons, model year 2006-2007 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i sedans and 530xi sports wagons, model year 2006 760i sedans, model year 2006-2007 750i, 750Li, and 760Li sedans, and model year 2006 X5 sports activity vehicles, equipped with certain seat types. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if and how the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners with an interim notification letter in January 2014 since parts are not currently available. When parts are available, BMW sent a second letter in August and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, free of charge. Additionally, owners of model year 2006-2007 3 Series with standard seats, 5 Series with comfort seats, and Z4 models, will receive an extended warranty on their front passenger seat occupant detection mat. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
BMW of North America, Inc. (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, and 550i vehicles equipped with the Sport Seat option and certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i vehicles with standard seats. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if, and how, the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 1, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2006 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact 550I by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2006 BMW 550I reliable?
NHTSA has 23 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2006 BMW 550I. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Does the 2006 BMW 550I have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.