FaultScore report
Owners have filed 17 complaints about the 2010 BMW 550I with NHTSA between 2010 and 2023. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 7 worst.
FaultScore 44/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the BMW 550I.
How this is worked out17
Complaints
3
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
57,000 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
25%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
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.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 36,000 mi
Median failure at 70,000 miles
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 74,000 mi
Median failure at 70,000 miles
Median failure at 30,060 miles
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 70,000 mi
Median failure at 1,137 miles
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
POWER TRAIN
I have been having issues , not sure what the problem is but the car doesn’t seem like it’s getting proper gas , & it shakes when I drive . I had to park it in the garage after having it towed home due to an unknown issue .
NHTSA complaint #11560998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
I have been having issues , not sure what the problem is but the car doesn’t seem like it’s getting proper gas , & it shakes when I drive . I had to park it in the garage after having it towed home due to an unknown issue .
NHTSA complaint #11560998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I have been having issues , not sure what the problem is but the car doesn’t seem like it’s getting proper gas , & it shakes when I drive . I had to park it in the garage after having it towed home due to an unknown issue .
NHTSA complaint #11560998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
POWER TRAIN
I have been having issues , not sure what the problem is but the car doesn’t seem like it’s getting proper gas , & it shakes when I drive . I had to park it in the garage after having it towed home due to an unknown issue .
NHTSA complaint #11560998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
I have been having issues , not sure what the problem is but the car doesn’t seem like it’s getting proper gas , & it shakes when I drive . I had to park it in the garage after having it towed home due to an unknown issue .
NHTSA complaint #11560998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I have been having issues , not sure what the problem is but the car doesn’t seem like it’s getting proper gas , & it shakes when I drive . I had to park it in the garage after having it towed home due to an unknown issue .
NHTSA complaint #11560998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
On 11/10/21 I was advised by Long Beach BMW (Long Beach, CA) that my car needs a new engine. The car smells of gas (both when running and when sitting) and burns excessive amounts of oil. The car requires a quart of oil every 200 - 400 miles. The first engine was replaced after only 77,000 miles because the car was stalling unexpectedly. Now, the current engine needs to be replaced after only 51,000 miles because the car smells of gas (likely because the fuel injection system is not working properly) and because it is burning excessive amounts of oil. BMW expects me to cover the cost of a new engine even thought there is an obvious defect. I contacted BMW of North America and they offered to take the car back & give me $2000 toward a new car. There is currently a recall because of engines at risk of blowing up but for some reason, my car does not appear to be part of that recall. https://abcnews.go.com/amp/US/wireStory/bmw-recalls-vehicles-3rd-time-due-engine-fire-83338862 BMW has been notified of the defects with this car and has diagnosed the defective engine but refuses to replace the engine at their cost as part of the current recall. Instead, the car remains a hazard at risk of catching fire. BMW's negligence is placing me, my family & other travelers at risk of harm or death because they know of the problem & will not address it. This is the 2nd complaint that I've sent to the NHTSA (the first on 9/13/21) and now there is a recall & so the NHTSA is aware of the problem as well.
NHTSA complaint #11456105 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
WHEN DRIVING FREEWAY OR STREET, TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONS CAUSING IT TO DROP INTO A LOW GEAR AND REDUCE SPEED SIGNIFICANTLY. THERE IS NO MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE ON THE TRANSMISSION. UNFORTUNATELY WILL NEED REPLACEMENT AT 8 YRS & 90K ON ODOMETER. BMW SHOULD RECALL AND FIX.
NHTSA complaint #11114176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
LETTER FROM SENATOR GILLIBRAND ON BEHALF OF MADELINE SINGAS, WHO IS THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY OF NASSAU COUNTY, SEEKING ASSISTANCE WITH A DOUBLE HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION FOLLOWING A FATAL CAR ACCIDENT IN HER COUNTY; *LD *JS
NHTSA complaint #11111593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
WHEEL CRACKED - RUN FLAT TIRES WOULD NOT HOLD AIR DUE TO UNEXPLAINED CRACK IN WHEEL
NHTSA complaint #11074714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
PURCHASED CAR TWO YEARS AGO AND DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION CONTINUES TO LIGHT CONTINUALLY COMES ON, VEHICLE BEGINS TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. I'VE HAD DRIVEN LEXUS VEHICLES FOR THE PRIOR 30 YEARS AND NEVER SPENT SO MUCH TIME AT THE DEALER TRYING TO RESOLVE THE SAME PROBLEM OR ANY MECHANICAL / ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. SWITCHING TO BMW WITHIN THESE PAST TWO YEARS HAVE LITERALLY INTERRUPTED MY LIFE, COST ME TIME AND MONEY AS THIS VEHICLE WAS IN THE REPAIR SHOP (DEALER) FOR MORE THAN 70 DAYS WITHIN TWO YEARS (DEALER SPENT JUST AS MUCH TIME WITH THE CAR AS I). AFTER ALL THE REPAIRS THE FAITHFUL DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION ENTERS MY LIFE YET AGAIN. CAN YOU DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS MAJOR COMPONENT IN THIS CAR. AFTER PURCHASING FOR CASH I THOUGHT I WOULD NOT NEED TO PURCHASE ANOTHER CAR FOR AT LEAST 5-6 OR MORE YEARS BUT ONCE AGAIN I FIND MYSELF HAVING TO NOW BUY A RELIABLE CAR. IF I KNEW BMW VEHICLES WERE THIS MUCH TROUBLE, I WOULD HAVE SAVED AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF CASH BY FINANCING INSTEAD EXPENDING THAT AMOUNT UPFRONT ONLY TO FIND MYSELF "LIVING" AT THE DEALERSHIP. SADDEST PART IS YOUR ORGANIZATION HAS A SAFETY RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT ONLY THE 2011-12 BMW 550I GRAN TURISMOS AND I HAVE THE 2010. I GUESS "AFTER" I PAY FOR THE REPAIR THEN YOU WILL INITIATE A RECALL TO INCLUDE THIS YEAR AS WELL (SAME CAR AS OTHERS, EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, BUT ONE YEAR MAKING THE DIFFERENCE). CAN YOU PLEASE HELP.
NHTSA complaint #11030089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PURCHASED CAR TWO YEARS AGO AND DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION CONTINUES TO LIGHT CONTINUALLY COMES ON, VEHICLE BEGINS TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. I'VE HAD DRIVEN LEXUS VEHICLES FOR THE PRIOR 30 YEARS AND NEVER SPENT SO MUCH TIME AT THE DEALER TRYING TO RESOLVE THE SAME PROBLEM OR ANY MECHANICAL / ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. SWITCHING TO BMW WITHIN THESE PAST TWO YEARS HAVE LITERALLY INTERRUPTED MY LIFE, COST ME TIME AND MONEY AS THIS VEHICLE WAS IN THE REPAIR SHOP (DEALER) FOR MORE THAN 70 DAYS WITHIN TWO YEARS (DEALER SPENT JUST AS MUCH TIME WITH THE CAR AS I). AFTER ALL THE REPAIRS THE FAITHFUL DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION ENTERS MY LIFE YET AGAIN. CAN YOU DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS MAJOR COMPONENT IN THIS CAR. AFTER PURCHASING FOR CASH I THOUGHT I WOULD NOT NEED TO PURCHASE ANOTHER CAR FOR AT LEAST 5-6 OR MORE YEARS BUT ONCE AGAIN I FIND MYSELF HAVING TO NOW BUY A RELIABLE CAR. IF I KNEW BMW VEHICLES WERE THIS MUCH TROUBLE, I WOULD HAVE SAVED AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF CASH BY FINANCING INSTEAD EXPENDING THAT AMOUNT UPFRONT ONLY TO FIND MYSELF "LIVING" AT THE DEALERSHIP. SADDEST PART IS YOUR ORGANIZATION HAS A SAFETY RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT ONLY THE 2011-12 BMW 550I GRAN TURISMOS AND I HAVE THE 2010. I GUESS "AFTER" I PAY FOR THE REPAIR THEN YOU WILL INITIATE A RECALL TO INCLUDE THIS YEAR AS WELL (SAME CAR AS OTHERS, EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, BUT ONE YEAR MAKING THE DIFFERENCE). CAN YOU PLEASE HELP.
NHTSA complaint #11030089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
PURCHASED CAR TWO YEARS AGO AND DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION CONTINUES TO LIGHT CONTINUALLY COMES ON, VEHICLE BEGINS TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. I'VE HAD DRIVEN LEXUS VEHICLES FOR THE PRIOR 30 YEARS AND NEVER SPENT SO MUCH TIME AT THE DEALER TRYING TO RESOLVE THE SAME PROBLEM OR ANY MECHANICAL / ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. SWITCHING TO BMW WITHIN THESE PAST TWO YEARS HAVE LITERALLY INTERRUPTED MY LIFE, COST ME TIME AND MONEY AS THIS VEHICLE WAS IN THE REPAIR SHOP (DEALER) FOR MORE THAN 70 DAYS WITHIN TWO YEARS (DEALER SPENT JUST AS MUCH TIME WITH THE CAR AS I). AFTER ALL THE REPAIRS THE FAITHFUL DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION ENTERS MY LIFE YET AGAIN. CAN YOU DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS MAJOR COMPONENT IN THIS CAR. AFTER PURCHASING FOR CASH I THOUGHT I WOULD NOT NEED TO PURCHASE ANOTHER CAR FOR AT LEAST 5-6 OR MORE YEARS BUT ONCE AGAIN I FIND MYSELF HAVING TO NOW BUY A RELIABLE CAR. IF I KNEW BMW VEHICLES WERE THIS MUCH TROUBLE, I WOULD HAVE SAVED AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF CASH BY FINANCING INSTEAD EXPENDING THAT AMOUNT UPFRONT ONLY TO FIND MYSELF "LIVING" AT THE DEALERSHIP. SADDEST PART IS YOUR ORGANIZATION HAS A SAFETY RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT ONLY THE 2011-12 BMW 550I GRAN TURISMOS AND I HAVE THE 2010. I GUESS "AFTER" I PAY FOR THE REPAIR THEN YOU WILL INITIATE A RECALL TO INCLUDE THIS YEAR AS WELL (SAME CAR AS OTHERS, EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, BUT ONE YEAR MAKING THE DIFFERENCE). CAN YOU PLEASE HELP.
NHTSA complaint #11030089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 550I. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. BEFORE THE FAILURE, THE ENTIRE PANEL AND ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA complaint #10915638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
LOST OF POWER WHILE DRIVING, 2 INCIDENT: BAD VIBRATIONS WHILE AT A IDLE.
NHTSA complaint #10781339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
LOST OF POWER WHILE DRIVING, 2 INCIDENT: BAD VIBRATIONS WHILE AT A IDLE.
NHTSA complaint #10781339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
LOST OF POWER WHILE DRIVING, 2 INCIDENT: BAD VIBRATIONS WHILE AT A IDLE.
NHTSA complaint #10781339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
FROM A VERY SLOW ROLL THERE IS A DELAY IN ENGINE RESPONSE OF 1-2 SECONDS. THERE IS ALSO A DELAY IN ENGINE RESPONSE IN THE 10-30 MPH RANGE OF THE SAME LENGTH OF TIME. THE SLOW ROLL EVENT CAN CAUSE CONFUSION TO OTHER DRIVERS WHO BELIEVE YOU ARE YIELDING THE RIGHT AWAY WHEN YOU DO NOT ACCELERATE IN A TIMELY MANNER GOING FORWARD OR MAKING A TURNING MOVEMENT. THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ACCIDENT IF A PEDESTRIAN, BICYCLIST OR ANOTHER CAR TAKES THE DELAY AS A SIGN THAT THEY HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY. THE DELAYED ENGINE RESPONSE IN THE 10-30 MPH RANGE IS OF GREAT CONCERN WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ONTO A FREEWAY FROM A SHORT ON-RAMP IN MODERATE TRAFFIC. THE ENGINE RESPONSE DELAY IS VERY PRONOUNCED UNDER HARD THROTTLE AND HAS CAUSED HEAVY BRAKING BY CARS UNSURE IF I'M GOING TO BE AT SPEED WHEN MERGING.
NHTSA complaint #10551165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 550GT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR ALERTED LOW TIRE PRESSURE. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND THEN RESUMED OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE CENTER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL EXHIBITED TWO HAIRLINE CRACKS ON THE INNER PORTION. THE WHEEL WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,120.
NHTSA complaint #10460229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 550I. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A SQUEAKY NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE WEEKS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS AT LEAST THREE TIMES. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE SERVICE REPAIRS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE MALFUNCTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED IN WHICH THERE WAS NO ASSISTANCE PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,137.
NHTSA complaint #10311334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.