2007 BMW 550I: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 37 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (22% of complaints); the 2006 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Nov 2013
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 37 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The vehicle is Burning a lot of oil due to the valve stem seals. Because of how the engine was designed. Since 2011 to 2018 was a law suit of the same engine since 2000 of the N62 V8 Engine of BMW. Smoke of oil comes out the exhaust and BMW cannot fix the issue they designed.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2021
“Wiring in headlight assemblies shorts out because of degraded defective wiring insulation. Headlights can immediately fail while driving at night. Passenger side headlight failed. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jun 2020
“Was replacing h7 headlamps and discovered all of the insulation on the wiring inside both headlight assemblies had disintegrated and both assemblies contained multiple bare wires. This could result in a short or blowing a fuse when driving making headlamps stop working. Could easily cause an accident. Or car could catch on fire due to short circuit. I have googled this and found many many similar complaints. A recall should have already been voluntary on bmw usa or forced by the ntsb. Extremely dangerous situation.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“Excessive exhaust smoke when vehicle is idling... White smoke. The oil seems to collect somewhere in the engine while idling and continues to smoke for a while, after idling and in motion. The smoking seems to be worse when idling on an incline or decline. This has been going on a while. I thought there was a recall due to this problem being prevalent with this 8 cyl engine. I am just now reporting this issue but it's been ongoing for a couple years now. *tr”Owner report · Engine · May 2018
“I pulled my battery to charge it and now I'm getting a wheel lock alarm which will not allow my car to start. It is in my drive way same as when I last used it. It ran fine prior to charging my battery.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2017
“Experience "highbeam malfunction" warning light. Inspected the headlamps (e60 adaptive xenon part # 6312710157). The driver's side low-beam halogen melted through reflector. Inspected wiring and the sheathing / jacket were disintegrating causing short circuiting. Upon further research, this is a result of bmw's use of biodegradable materials in mid-200's cars. Not only is this a fire hazard, the only remedy is to get a new headlamp set (~$1300 each)”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Sep 2016
“From time to time I am getting a yellow warning light indicating elv blocked and sometimes preventing me from starting the car. Was on the side of the highway and was stranded many times. Very frustrating and dangerous.”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2007 bmw 550i. The contact stated while starting the ignition, the air bag warning indicator remained illuminated. There was a recall related to the failure under NHTSA campaign id number 13v564000 (air bags) but the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 76,400.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2007 bmw 550i. After the vehicle was taken in for inspection, the technician observed oil leaking from the engine. The contact was informed that the valve cover gasket, timing chain cover, alternator bracket, and oil pressure switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2007 bmw 550i. The contact stated the seat belt warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated that the occupant detection mat would have to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13v564000 (air bags). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2007 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 2007 BMW 550I reliable?
NHTSA has 37 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2007 BMW 550I. The most complained-about area is air bags (22% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2007 BMW 550I problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 74,601 miles or less.
Does the 2007 BMW 550I have open recalls?
2 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.