FaultScore

FaultScore report

2008 BMW 550I problems

Owners have filed 49 complaints about the 2008 BMW 550I with NHTSA between 2008 and 2025. The largest single group is the electrical system. Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 7 worst.

D

FaultScore 61/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the BMW 550I.

How this is worked out

The numbers

49

Complaints

2

Crashes reported

6

Fires reported

2

Injuries reported

78,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

22%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 47 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 37 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 47
Against the median year of the BMW 550I. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
20.4% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 37
22% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2008 compares with every other BMW 550I

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 2008 BMW 550I

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

Electrical System 9 18.4%

0 crashes, 3 fires · median 56,500 mi

Lights 7 14.3%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 100,000 mi

Airbags 6 12.2%

Median failure at 74,000 miles

Engine & Cooling 6 12.2%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 78,000 mi

Seat Belts 4 8.2%

Median failure at 87,000 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 4 8.2%

Median failure at 18,003 miles

Other & Unspecified 2 4.1%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 85,000 mi

Tires 2 4.1%
Fuel & Propulsion 2 4.1%

Median failure at 1,450 miles

Suspension 2 4.1%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 1,896 mi

Seats 1 2.0%

Median failure at 68,000 miles

Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 2.0%

Median failure at 141,000 miles

Body & Structure 1 2.0%

Median failure at 6,000 miles

Brakes 1 2.0%

Median failure at 85,000 miles

Steering 1 2.0%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 1,896 mi

When it fails

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

Under 1,000 miles 2 5.4%
1,000 – 9,999 miles 6 16.2%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 3 8.1%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 5 13.5%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 12 32.4%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 9 24.3%

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 2008 peak 4 Sep 2025

Recalls on the 2008 BMW 550I

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

United States — NHTSA

13V407000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

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.

07V479000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

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

at 110,000 miles LOS Angeles, CA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

VEHICLE PARKED FOR DAYS, NOTICED SMOKE FROM PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE BAY, INSPECTION FOUND POSSIBLE FAULTY ELECTRICAL WIRING OR OIL LEAK ONTO ELECTRICAL WIRING CAUSING SMALL FIRE ON ENGINE FLOOR. DISCONNECTED NEGATIVE TERMINAL TO BATTERY.

NHTSA complaint #11387822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles LOS Angeles, CA Fire

ENGINE

VEHICLE PARKED FOR DAYS, NOTICED SMOKE FROM PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE BAY, INSPECTION FOUND POSSIBLE FAULTY ELECTRICAL WIRING OR OIL LEAK ONTO ELECTRICAL WIRING CAUSING SMALL FIRE ON ENGINE FLOOR. DISCONNECTED NEGATIVE TERMINAL TO BATTERY.

NHTSA complaint #11387822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,000 miles Shreveport, LA Fire

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH BMW OF NORTH AMERICA FOR 8 WEEKS. MY 2008 BMW 550I CAUGHT FIRE WHILE STATIONARY AT A GAS STATION AT THE GAS PUMP. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED OUT TO CONTAIN THE FIRE. THE FIRE INSPECTOR AND THE FIRE CHIEF BOTH STATED THAT IT WAS A WIRING ISSUE. I HAVE THE FIRE REPORT. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET BMW OF NORTH AMERICA TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE ON FEB. 5, 2018 AND WAS TOLD THERE 'LOOKS LIKE THERE COULD HAVE BEEN'WORK DONE TO THE WIRING OF THE CAR. I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE APRIL 2017 (7 MONTHS) AND HAVE NOT DONE ANY WORK TO THE WIRING. I ALSO PULLED A CARFAX REPORT BEFORE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. IT SHOWED 0 ACCIDENTS AND 0 MAJOR MECHANICAL WORKING. I ASKED BMW FOR A COPY OF THE INSPECTOR'S REPORT AND WAS DENIED. THAT REALLY MADE ME SUSPECT SOMETHING FOUL FROM BMW.

NHTSA complaint #11072294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,000 miles Shreveport, LA Fire

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH BMW OF NORTH AMERICA FOR 8 WEEKS. MY 2008 BMW 550I CAUGHT FIRE WHILE STATIONARY AT A GAS STATION AT THE GAS PUMP. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED OUT TO CONTAIN THE FIRE. THE FIRE INSPECTOR AND THE FIRE CHIEF BOTH STATED THAT IT WAS A WIRING ISSUE. I HAVE THE FIRE REPORT. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET BMW OF NORTH AMERICA TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE ON FEB. 5, 2018 AND WAS TOLD THERE 'LOOKS LIKE THERE COULD HAVE BEEN'WORK DONE TO THE WIRING OF THE CAR. I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE APRIL 2017 (7 MONTHS) AND HAVE NOT DONE ANY WORK TO THE WIRING. I ALSO PULLED A CARFAX REPORT BEFORE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. IT SHOWED 0 ACCIDENTS AND 0 MAJOR MECHANICAL WORKING. I ASKED BMW FOR A COPY OF THE INSPECTOR'S REPORT AND WAS DENIED. THAT REALLY MADE ME SUSPECT SOMETHING FOUL FROM BMW.

NHTSA complaint #11072294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,000 miles Shreveport, LA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH BMW OF NORTH AMERICA FOR 8 WEEKS. MY 2008 BMW 550I CAUGHT FIRE WHILE STATIONARY AT A GAS STATION AT THE GAS PUMP. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED OUT TO CONTAIN THE FIRE. THE FIRE INSPECTOR AND THE FIRE CHIEF BOTH STATED THAT IT WAS A WIRING ISSUE. I HAVE THE FIRE REPORT. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET BMW OF NORTH AMERICA TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE ON FEB. 5, 2018 AND WAS TOLD THERE 'LOOKS LIKE THERE COULD HAVE BEEN'WORK DONE TO THE WIRING OF THE CAR. I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE APRIL 2017 (7 MONTHS) AND HAVE NOT DONE ANY WORK TO THE WIRING. I ALSO PULLED A CARFAX REPORT BEFORE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. IT SHOWED 0 ACCIDENTS AND 0 MAJOR MECHANICAL WORKING. I ASKED BMW FOR A COPY OF THE INSPECTOR'S REPORT AND WAS DENIED. THAT REALLY MADE ME SUSPECT SOMETHING FOUL FROM BMW.

NHTSA complaint #11072294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,896 miles SAN Francisco, CA Crash 1 injured

STEERING

MY BRAND NEW 2008 BMW 550I WAS INVOLVED IN THREE SEPARATE COLLISIONS ON THE RIGHT SIDE IN A SPAN OF LESS THAN THREE MONTHS AFTER I LEASED IT. IT HAS 7 MILES WHEN I WAS GOT IT AND THE FIRST COLLISION OCCURRED WHEN MY FRIEND WAS DRIVING IT IN THE CITY OF SAN FRANCISCO AND THE CAR HAD LESS THAN 2,000 MILES. THE SECOND COLLISION OCCURRED SEVERAL WEEKS LATER (AFTER THE DAMAGES WERE REPAIRED) -- THE CAR COLLIDED WITH A BIG-RIG ON THE RIGHT SIDE, CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE. THE THIRD ACCIDENT HAPPENED WITHIN 4 MILES AFTER I PICKED UP THE CAR FROM THE REPAIR SHOP. THE CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL, PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND COLLIDED WITH THE HIGHWAY CONCRETE BARRIERS. THE CAR COULD HAVE ROLLED OVER THE CONCRETE EMBANKMENTS AND PLUNGED OVER 100 FEET -- I WAS EXITING FROM THE ELEVATED OFF-RAMP OF THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY BRIDGE. (THE CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL RESPONDEDTO THE SECOND COLLISION AND THE CAR WAS INOPERABLE AND TOWED TO SAN FRANCISCO FROM THE SUBMIT OF THE GRAPEVINE NEAR LOS ANGELES.)

NHTSA complaint #10292911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

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

Kingsville, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Vehicle abruptly shut off while reversing out of my driveway. Vehicle restarted after a long crank and appeared to enter a reduced power mode/limp mode with a transmission fault that locked the transmission in 4th gear. Reading OBD2 codes revealed a code for the crankshaft position sensor. Inspection of the 3 terminal sensor revealed 2 of the terminal contacts on the sensor to be shorted out with melted plastic on both the sensor and the wiring connector plug. Shorted wire could be a result of a leaking coolant passage at rear of engine within bellhousing where sensor is located. Coolant intrusion into sensor connector resulted in electrical short and melted connections.

NHTSA complaint #11687033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kingsville, TX

ENGINE

Vehicle abruptly shut off while reversing out of my driveway. Vehicle restarted after a long crank and appeared to enter a reduced power mode/limp mode with a transmission fault that locked the transmission in 4th gear. Reading OBD2 codes revealed a code for the crankshaft position sensor. Inspection of the 3 terminal sensor revealed 2 of the terminal contacts on the sensor to be shorted out with melted plastic on both the sensor and the wiring connector plug. Shorted wire could be a result of a leaking coolant passage at rear of engine within bellhousing where sensor is located. Coolant intrusion into sensor connector resulted in electrical short and melted connections.

NHTSA complaint #11687033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Dwight, IL

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2008 BMW.The contact stated that he was getting ready to drive the vehicle, however when he started the vehicle, the ABS and check engine lights illuminated.The contact stated that he noticed the vehicle was overheating and turned the vehicle off.The contact heard an unusual sound which came from under the hood.The contact inspected and noticed that the coolant reservoir lid had detached and dented the hood due to the vehicle overheating.The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer.The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided no assistance.The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

NHTSA complaint #11554420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Palm Harbor, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The daytime running lights aka Angel Eyes wiring is sub-standard. The plastic coating on the wires for the daytime running lights/Angel Eyes has melted away exposing bare wiring that has fused causing the lights to malfunction and not work. I believe the manufacturer is aware of this sub-standard issue and needs to provide a suitable fix or replacement for the sub-standard wiring of their product.

NHTSA complaint #11551221 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Middletown, DE

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I was driving and came to a stop and noticed smoke and an odd smell coming from under the hood. The heater control valve and the wire connector started to smolder and melt the plastic. If it wasn’t for me disconnecting the connector wire to the heater control valve, it would have definitely would have caught on fire.There was no warning other than the smoke and smell coming from the car. I am in the process of the car getting inspected from a bmw service center

NHTSA complaint #11537051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Baltimore, MD

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The wiring in my headlight assembly is crumbling and the headlight is shorting out. The coating on the wiring is trash. I own a 08 Bmw550i. BMW should be ashamed. Thanks [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11467220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Baltimore, MD

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The wiring in my headlight assembly is crumbling and the headlight is shorting out. The coating on the wiring is trash. I own a 08 Bmw550i. BMW should be ashamed. Thanks [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11467220 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 141,000 miles University Park, IL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

The contact owns a 2008 BMW 550I. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway and turned off and restarted the vehicle however, the battery warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer and was previously repaired under an unknown recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 141,000.

NHTSA complaint #11456975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles LOS Angeles, CA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

VEHICLE PARKED FOR DAYS, NOTICED SMOKE FROM PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE BAY, INSPECTION FOUND POSSIBLE FAULTY ELECTRICAL WIRING OR OIL LEAK ONTO ELECTRICAL WIRING CAUSING SMALL FIRE ON ENGINE FLOOR. DISCONNECTED NEGATIVE TERMINAL TO BATTERY.

NHTSA complaint #11387822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles LOS Angeles, CA Fire

ENGINE

VEHICLE PARKED FOR DAYS, NOTICED SMOKE FROM PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE BAY, INSPECTION FOUND POSSIBLE FAULTY ELECTRICAL WIRING OR OIL LEAK ONTO ELECTRICAL WIRING CAUSING SMALL FIRE ON ENGINE FLOOR. DISCONNECTED NEGATIVE TERMINAL TO BATTERY.

NHTSA complaint #11387822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 6 miles LOS Angeles, CA

POWER TRAIN

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE POWER TRAIN LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR BEGAN TO LOOSE A LOT OF POWER THEN WHEN I PULLED TO SIDE OF THE ROAD THE CAR TURNED OF AND WOULD NOT START UNTIL SEVERAL ATTEMPTS . I WAITED ABOUT 8 MIN THEN STARTED TO DRIVE . AND IT DOES THIS ALL THE TIME NOW . THEN THE LIGHT GOES OUT AND DRIVES FINE . BUT THIS ALWAYS HAPPENS . AND IT'S VERY DANGEROUS. I'VE BEEN IN SOME TIGHT SITUATIONS.

NHTSA complaint #11340211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125,000 miles Brooklyn, NY

SEAT BELTS

CAR SMOKES BAD VALVE SEALS AND SEATBELT RESTRAIN WENT BAD TWICE AND CAR SEAT ADJUSTMENT GOES BAD

NHTSA complaint #11337090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125,000 miles Brooklyn, NY

AIR BAGS

CAR SMOKES BAD VALVE SEALS AND SEATBELT RESTRAIN WENT BAD TWICE AND CAR SEAT ADJUSTMENT GOES BAD

NHTSA complaint #11337090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125,000 miles Brooklyn, NY

ENGINE

CAR SMOKES BAD VALVE SEALS AND SEATBELT RESTRAIN WENT BAD TWICE AND CAR SEAT ADJUSTMENT GOES BAD

NHTSA complaint #11337090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,000 miles Shreveport, LA Fire

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH BMW OF NORTH AMERICA FOR 8 WEEKS. MY 2008 BMW 550I CAUGHT FIRE WHILE STATIONARY AT A GAS STATION AT THE GAS PUMP. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED OUT TO CONTAIN THE FIRE. THE FIRE INSPECTOR AND THE FIRE CHIEF BOTH STATED THAT IT WAS A WIRING ISSUE. I HAVE THE FIRE REPORT. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET BMW OF NORTH AMERICA TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE ON FEB. 5, 2018 AND WAS TOLD THERE 'LOOKS LIKE THERE COULD HAVE BEEN'WORK DONE TO THE WIRING OF THE CAR. I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE APRIL 2017 (7 MONTHS) AND HAVE NOT DONE ANY WORK TO THE WIRING. I ALSO PULLED A CARFAX REPORT BEFORE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. IT SHOWED 0 ACCIDENTS AND 0 MAJOR MECHANICAL WORKING. I ASKED BMW FOR A COPY OF THE INSPECTOR'S REPORT AND WAS DENIED. THAT REALLY MADE ME SUSPECT SOMETHING FOUL FROM BMW.

NHTSA complaint #11072294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,000 miles Shreveport, LA Fire

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH BMW OF NORTH AMERICA FOR 8 WEEKS. MY 2008 BMW 550I CAUGHT FIRE WHILE STATIONARY AT A GAS STATION AT THE GAS PUMP. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED OUT TO CONTAIN THE FIRE. THE FIRE INSPECTOR AND THE FIRE CHIEF BOTH STATED THAT IT WAS A WIRING ISSUE. I HAVE THE FIRE REPORT. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET BMW OF NORTH AMERICA TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE ON FEB. 5, 2018 AND WAS TOLD THERE 'LOOKS LIKE THERE COULD HAVE BEEN'WORK DONE TO THE WIRING OF THE CAR. I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE APRIL 2017 (7 MONTHS) AND HAVE NOT DONE ANY WORK TO THE WIRING. I ALSO PULLED A CARFAX REPORT BEFORE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. IT SHOWED 0 ACCIDENTS AND 0 MAJOR MECHANICAL WORKING. I ASKED BMW FOR A COPY OF THE INSPECTOR'S REPORT AND WAS DENIED. THAT REALLY MADE ME SUSPECT SOMETHING FOUL FROM BMW.

NHTSA complaint #11072294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,000 miles Shreveport, LA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH BMW OF NORTH AMERICA FOR 8 WEEKS. MY 2008 BMW 550I CAUGHT FIRE WHILE STATIONARY AT A GAS STATION AT THE GAS PUMP. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED OUT TO CONTAIN THE FIRE. THE FIRE INSPECTOR AND THE FIRE CHIEF BOTH STATED THAT IT WAS A WIRING ISSUE. I HAVE THE FIRE REPORT. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET BMW OF NORTH AMERICA TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE ON FEB. 5, 2018 AND WAS TOLD THERE 'LOOKS LIKE THERE COULD HAVE BEEN'WORK DONE TO THE WIRING OF THE CAR. I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE APRIL 2017 (7 MONTHS) AND HAVE NOT DONE ANY WORK TO THE WIRING. I ALSO PULLED A CARFAX REPORT BEFORE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. IT SHOWED 0 ACCIDENTS AND 0 MAJOR MECHANICAL WORKING. I ASKED BMW FOR A COPY OF THE INSPECTOR'S REPORT AND WAS DENIED. THAT REALLY MADE ME SUSPECT SOMETHING FOUL FROM BMW.

NHTSA complaint #11072294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Mauldin, SC

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

FRAYED AND DISINTEGRATING HEADLIGHT WIRING PRESENT THROUGHOUT MY HEADLAMPS. THESE ARE SEALED ENCLOSURES FOR WHICH THERE ARE NO PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE ITEMS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS THE HEADLIGHTS MAY FAIL WITHOUT WARNING, PARTICULARLY IN HOT WEATHER. THESE ARE NON CONSUMER REPLACEABLE PARTS AND PROHIBITIVELY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE AND SHOULD NOT BE FAILING AFTER ONLY 8 YEARS OF SERVICE.

NHTSA complaint #10916862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,000 miles Franklin, TN

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

BOUGHT A 2008 BMW 550I AND EXPERIENCED HEADLIGHT FAILURE WITH THE HEADLIGHT FUSE BLOWING REPEATEDLY WHEN I WENT TO CHANGE THE BULBS NOTICED THAT ALL THE WIRES IN THE HEADLIGHT WERE BARE. USED LIQUID INSULATION TO FIX THE ISSUE HOWEVER HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS OF THIS CAR CATCHING FIRE FROM THE ISSUE AFTER SOME RESEARCH

NHTSA complaint #10877150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125,312 miles Scottsdale, AZ

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I HAD A PARKING LIGHT GO BAD AND WHILE I WAS REPLACING IT I NOTICED THAT THE WIRING INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY IS NO LONGER INSULATED. THE INSULATION HAS BECOME BRITTLE AND IS FLAKING OFF. I REMOVED THE COVER FOR THE OTHER HEADLIGHT AND THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED TO THAT LIGHT. IT WOULD SEEM THAT THESE BARE WIRES COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10881273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Houston, TX

AIR BAGS

CONSISTENTLY RECEIVING 'PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM' WARNING INDICATING LOSS OF AIRBAG PROTECTION ON ONBOARD WARNING SYSTEM. DEALERSHIP SUPPORT NOTIFIED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE UNDER MANUFACTURER AS WELL AS PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTEES WITHOUT ANY REMEDY. 'NO FAULT' FOUND BY DEALERSHIPS - REPORTEDLY THEIR DIAGNOSTICS INDICATED NO CURRENT ISSUE WITH PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM. PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM CONTINUES TO INDICATE SHUT-DOWN WHILE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. LIMITED ONLINE RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS IS A PERSISTENT PASSENGER SAFETY CONTROL SYSTEM ISSUE SPECIFIC TO THIS MANUFACTURER AND MODEL.

NHTSA complaint #10863279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Cary, NC

SEAT BELTS

WARING LIGHT FOR SEAT BELT RESTRAINT STAYS ON, ONLY ON PASSENGER SIDE. NOT SURE IF THIS AFFECTS INTEGRITY OF SEAT BELT OR AIR BAGS.

NHTSA complaint #10840103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 84,000 miles Hudson Oaks, TX

SEAT BELTS

PURCHASED USED WITH 83,000 MILES. CURRENTLY 100,000. THE INTERMITTENTLY REPORTS A FAILURE IN THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM. WHEN EXAMINED BY A QUALIFIED MECHANIC, THERE IS NO INDICATION OF AN ISSUE WITH ANY OF THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEMS. WHEN THIS WARNING IS PRESENT ON THE VEHICLE, I DO NOT KNOW WHAT SAFETY SYSTEMS (IF ANY) HAVE BEEN COMPROMISED. DEALERSHIP HAS STATED THERE IS A RECALL ON SIMILAR VEHICLES DURING THE SAME YEAR, BUT NOT THIS VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH IT USES THE SAME COMPONENTS.

NHTSA complaint #10824587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 84,000 miles Hudson Oaks, TX

AIR BAGS

PURCHASED USED WITH 83,000 MILES. CURRENTLY 100,000. THE INTERMITTENTLY REPORTS A FAILURE IN THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM. WHEN EXAMINED BY A QUALIFIED MECHANIC, THERE IS NO INDICATION OF AN ISSUE WITH ANY OF THE PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEMS. WHEN THIS WARNING IS PRESENT ON THE VEHICLE, I DO NOT KNOW WHAT SAFETY SYSTEMS (IF ANY) HAVE BEEN COMPROMISED. DEALERSHIP HAS STATED THERE IS A RECALL ON SIMILAR VEHICLES DURING THE SAME YEAR, BUT NOT THIS VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH IT USES THE SAME COMPONENTS.

NHTSA complaint #10824587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Sterling HTS, MI

SEAT BELTS

PASS RESTRAINT SYSTEM ERROR. PLEASE HELP! I GET THIS WARNING EVERY SO OFTEN WHEN I GET IN MY CAR AND REGARDLESS OF A PASSENGER PRESENT OR NOT. SEVERAL TIMES THE BEEPING SIGNAL WILL BEGIN TO MAKE NOISE, TO BUTTON THE SEAT BELT, EVEN WHEN NOTHING IS IN THE SEAT. THIS IS CREATING A VERY ANNOYING DRIVING EXPERIENCE.

NHTSA complaint #10809938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.