FaultScore

FaultScore report

2011 BMW 550I Gran Turismo problems

Owners have filed 14 complaints about the 2011 BMW 550I Gran Turismo with NHTSA between 2017 and 2019. The largest single group is the engine & cooling.

Not graded

Too few complaints, or too short a model run, to compare fairly.

How this is worked out

The numbers

14

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

3

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

109,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

0%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

How 2011 compares with every other BMW 550I Gran Turismo

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2011 BMW 550I Gran Turismo

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Electrical System 3 21.4%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 104,500 mi

Engine & Cooling 3 21.4%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 500,000 mi

Transmission & Drivetrain 2 14.3%

Median failure at 504,500 miles

Other & Unspecified 1 7.1%

Median failure at 900,000 miles

Wheels 1 7.1%

Median failure at 68,000 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 1 7.1%
Body & Structure 1 7.1%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 100,000 mi

Steering 1 7.1%
Airbags 1 7.1%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

50,000 – 74,999 miles 1 11.1%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 5 55.6%
150,000+ miles 3 33.3%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Mar 2017 peak 5 Jul 2019

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 100,000 miles Riverside, CA Fire

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE CAR WAS PARKED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE DEPARTMENT. IT WAS AND IS A COMPLETE LOSS. IT HAD BEEN DRIVINE 30 MILES ABOUT AN HOUR BEFORE.

NHTSA complaint #10981687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Riverside, CA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE CAR WAS PARKED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE DEPARTMENT. IT WAS AND IS A COMPLETE LOSS. IT HAD BEEN DRIVINE 30 MILES ABOUT AN HOUR BEFORE.

NHTSA complaint #10981687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Riverside, CA Fire

ENGINE

THE CAR WAS PARKED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE DEPARTMENT. IT WAS AND IS A COMPLETE LOSS. IT HAD BEEN DRIVINE 30 MILES ABOUT AN HOUR BEFORE.

NHTSA complaint #10981687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 109,000 miles Lithonia, GA

POWER TRAIN

I FEEL THAT IS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON MY CAR. FROM THE START WAS TOLD THE CAR CHECKED OUT HOWEVER HAD TO GET ANOTHER STARTER, TRANSMISSION CASE, BLOCKS ETC. I SPENT OVER 14K AND STILL HAVE PROBLEM WITH REPAIRS THAT I THOUGHT WAS COVERED. NOW AC BLOWER GONE AFTER PICKING UP FROM THE DEALER LESS THAN A MONTH AGO. BAD PURCHASE NOW OUT OF MONEY AND CAR STILL NEEDS REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #11234104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 109,000 miles Lithonia, GA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I FEEL THAT IS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON MY CAR. FROM THE START WAS TOLD THE CAR CHECKED OUT HOWEVER HAD TO GET ANOTHER STARTER, TRANSMISSION CASE, BLOCKS ETC. I SPENT OVER 14K AND STILL HAVE PROBLEM WITH REPAIRS THAT I THOUGHT WAS COVERED. NOW AC BLOWER GONE AFTER PICKING UP FROM THE DEALER LESS THAN A MONTH AGO. BAD PURCHASE NOW OUT OF MONEY AND CAR STILL NEEDS REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #11234104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 900,000 miles Plano, TX

POWER TRAIN

N 63 ENGINE FAILURE: THIS ENGINE REPLACEMENT IS PART OF THE BANG SETTLEMENT. I GOT A REPLACEMENT ENGINE FOR WHICH I SPENT ALMOST AS MUCH AS THE VALUE OF THE CAR. SO CALLED NEW ENGINE CONTINUES TO CONSUME OIL. BASICALLY BMW REPLACED THE ENGINE THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE KN OWN IS DEFECTIVE. A RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN ISSUED ON THIS ENGINE AND THIS CAR LING TIME AGO. BMW IS GETTING AWAY KNOWINGLY REPLACING DEFECTIVE E ENGINE WITH DEFECTIVE ONES.

NHTSA complaint #11232623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 900,000 miles Plano, TX

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

N 63 ENGINE FAILURE: THIS ENGINE REPLACEMENT IS PART OF THE BANG SETTLEMENT. I GOT A REPLACEMENT ENGINE FOR WHICH I SPENT ALMOST AS MUCH AS THE VALUE OF THE CAR. SO CALLED NEW ENGINE CONTINUES TO CONSUME OIL. BASICALLY BMW REPLACED THE ENGINE THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE KN OWN IS DEFECTIVE. A RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN ISSUED ON THIS ENGINE AND THIS CAR LING TIME AGO. BMW IS GETTING AWAY KNOWINGLY REPLACING DEFECTIVE E ENGINE WITH DEFECTIVE ONES.

NHTSA complaint #11232623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 900,000 miles Plano, TX

ENGINE

N 63 ENGINE FAILURE: THIS ENGINE REPLACEMENT IS PART OF THE BANG SETTLEMENT. I GOT A REPLACEMENT ENGINE FOR WHICH I SPENT ALMOST AS MUCH AS THE VALUE OF THE CAR. SO CALLED NEW ENGINE CONTINUES TO CONSUME OIL. BASICALLY BMW REPLACED THE ENGINE THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE KN OWN IS DEFECTIVE. A RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN ISSUED ON THIS ENGINE AND THIS CAR LING TIME AGO. BMW IS GETTING AWAY KNOWINGLY REPLACING DEFECTIVE E ENGINE WITH DEFECTIVE ONES.

NHTSA complaint #11232623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brentwood, TN

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 550I GRAN TURISMO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STEERING FAILURE DUE TO THE AIR BAGS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN FAILED TO WORK AND THE AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER (BMW CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED & SERVICE CENTER NASHVILLE, 4040 ARMORY OAKS DR, NASHVILLE, TN 37204, 1-(855) 838-7142) DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY AND SVL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO PREVENT THE AIR BAG RESTRAINT INDICATOR FROM ILLUMINATING. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS UNABLE TO COVER THE REPAIRS AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V832000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11133560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brentwood, TN

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 550I GRAN TURISMO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STEERING FAILURE DUE TO THE AIR BAGS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN FAILED TO WORK AND THE AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER (BMW CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED & SERVICE CENTER NASHVILLE, 4040 ARMORY OAKS DR, NASHVILLE, TN 37204, 1-(855) 838-7142) DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY AND SVL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO PREVENT THE AIR BAG RESTRAINT INDICATOR FROM ILLUMINATING. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS UNABLE TO COVER THE REPAIRS AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V832000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11133560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Powder Springs, GA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 550I GRAN TURISMO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V248000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). BMW OF SOUTH ATLANTA (4171 JONESBORO RD, UNION CITY, GA 30291, (678) 228-8373) AND GLOBAL IMPORTS BMW (500 INTERSTATE NORTH PKWY SE, ATLANTA, GA 30339, 1-800-294-1853) INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE WOULD NEED TO WAIT TO RECEIVE A SECOND NOTICE TO SCHEDULE A RECALL REPAIR APPOINTMENT. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A PROGRESSING FAILURE WITH THE BATTERY CABLES. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL CAMPAIGN CONCERNING THE BATTERY CABLES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11110930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Powder Springs, GA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 550I GRAN TURISMO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V248000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). BMW OF SOUTH ATLANTA (4171 JONESBORO RD, UNION CITY, GA 30291, (678) 228-8373) AND GLOBAL IMPORTS BMW (500 INTERSTATE NORTH PKWY SE, ATLANTA, GA 30339, 1-800-294-1853) INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE WOULD NEED TO WAIT TO RECEIVE A SECOND NOTICE TO SCHEDULE A RECALL REPAIR APPOINTMENT. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A PROGRESSING FAILURE WITH THE BATTERY CABLES. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL CAMPAIGN CONCERNING THE BATTERY CABLES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11110930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 68,000 miles OAK Brook, IL

WHEELS

THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL (RIM) DEVELOPED HAIRLINE CRACK. THE CRACK IS ON THE INSIDE SIDE OF THE RIM. THE CRACK RESULTED IN A SLOW LOSS OF THE TIRE AIR PRESSURE.

NHTSA complaint #11081077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Riverside, CA Fire

STRUCTURE:BODY

THE CAR WAS PARKED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE DEPARTMENT. IT WAS AND IS A COMPLETE LOSS. IT HAD BEEN DRIVINE 30 MILES ABOUT AN HOUR BEFORE.

NHTSA complaint #10981687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Riverside, CA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE CAR WAS PARKED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE DEPARTMENT. IT WAS AND IS A COMPLETE LOSS. IT HAD BEEN DRIVINE 30 MILES ABOUT AN HOUR BEFORE.

NHTSA complaint #10981687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Riverside, CA Fire

ENGINE

THE CAR WAS PARKED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE DEPARTMENT. IT WAS AND IS A COMPLETE LOSS. IT HAD BEEN DRIVINE 30 MILES ABOUT AN HOUR BEFORE.

NHTSA complaint #10981687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dayon, OH

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 550I GRAN TURISMO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V746000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE INTERIM RECALL NOTICE DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 06/23/17*LJ UPDATED 08/22/2017

NHTSA complaint #10967334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.