FaultScore

BMW 550I fuel system problems

44 of the 386 complaints filed about the BMW 550I are about the fuel system — 11% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2011.

44

Complaints

11%

Share of all complaints

1

Crashes

5

Fires

Fuel & Propulsion complaints by model year

2006 550I 1 2.3%

Median failure at 95,000 miles

2008 550I 2 4.5%

Median failure at 1,450 miles

2010 550I 2 4.5%

Median failure at 70,000 miles

2011 550I 16 36.4%

Median failure at 52,500 miles

2012 550I 13 29.5%

Median failure at 58,200 miles

2013 550I 5 11.4%

Median failure at 80,000 miles

2014 550I 2 4.5%

Median failure at 53,500 miles

2015 550I 3 6.8%

What owners said

2015 BMW 550I Santa Monica, CA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Fuel pump failure causing engine to spontaneously shut down on road or freeway at any speed. This puts the safety of occupants in my car and the cars around me in danger as I need to put my hazards and safely move the car to the side of the road. No warning prior to failure. Warning and check engine light came on after problem occurred.

NHTSA complaint #11689241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 BMW 550I Joliet, IL Crash

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.

2012 BMW 550I FT Worth, TX

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I was driving when the vehicle engine randomly shut down with out warning I was on the freeway at the time and could have been hit by a car. I took thr car to an auto repair shop, had the problem inspected snddiagnosed and was told the engine was faulty. I had the engine replaced and the same issue occurred. There were no warning lamps, messages, or alerts prior to the problem occurring. The drivetrain malfunction light came on as soon as the engine cut off.

NHTSA complaint #11542232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 BMW 550I Norwalk, CA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Fuel pump supply / drive train malfunction. Vehicle was driven in freeway and has sudden message pop up on display screen and abruptly shut down. Unable to exit the freeway lanes. Stuck on the inbound lanes of freeway. Unable to re start vehicle to exit freeway. Took vehicle to local repair shop for inspection/repair to be made to fuel pump supply , only to have the same problem return in matter of days of repairs made.

NHTSA complaint #11500748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 BMW 550I at 96,280 miles North Augusta, SC

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:PRESSURE SENSOR

The contact owns a 2013 BMW 550i. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the warning message illuminated on the instrument panel stating, “Driving moderately and drive pit not available”. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the high-speed fuel pump on the passenger’s side was replaced but the failure continued. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the high-speed pressure sensor was replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 96,280.

NHTSA complaint #11482389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 BMW 550I Norwalk, CA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

When driving in freeway , Vehicles display " Drivetrain malfunction " - fuel supply full drive performance not available and begins to shut off abruptly in lanes. Can not restart vehicles. Vehicles can not be towed off the freeway lanes due to not begin able to put vehicle in Neutral mode. Vehicle was taken to local repair shop and parts were repair / replaced relating to fuel supply system. Same problems has reoccurring after 2 weeks of repairs.

NHTSA complaint #11471133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 BMW 550I Glendale Heights, IL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

2012 F10 had issues while running as car installed and stopped completely multiple times in traffic. Fuel supply sign came on. Diagnosed as low pressure fuel pump degraded and need replacement. Same recall took place for 2007-2011 5 series model as well via recall campaign No. 16v-746: In-Tank Fuel Pump. 2012 have same issue and very dangerous to drive on road when vehicle stalls and stops while driving in traffic

NHTSA complaint #11421987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 BMW 550I at 58,200 miles Epsom, NH Fire

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP CAUSED A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND TOTALED THE CAR WITH LESS THAN 60K MILES ON IT

NHTSA complaint #11399068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 BMW 550I at 118,000 miles APO, AE

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 550I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED UPON DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED A SINGULAR COIL AND A SPARK PLUG. TWO MONTHS LATER, THE SAME FAILURE RECURRED AND THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY REPLACED ALL THE COILS AND SPARK PLUGS. UPON RETURN OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING HOME AND THE VEHICLE SHUT-OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE SAME INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE OIL PUMP TIMING CHAIN WAS LOOSENED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V746000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO A DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT A DIAGNOSTIC NEEDED TO BE PERFORMED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DECLINED THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE CONTACT ALSO EMAILED THE MANUFACTURER WHO INFORMED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 118,000.

NHTSA complaint #11361593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 BMW 550I at 50,000 miles Plano, TX

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 550I GRAN TURISMO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE CLASSIC BMW LOCATED AT 6800 DALLAS PKWY, PLANO, TX 75024, (214) 778-2600, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND THE SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.

NHTSA complaint #11325994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 BMW 550I at 87,900 miles Atlanta, GA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHEN YOU FIRST TURN THE CAR ON IT SOUNDS VERY LOUD FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES (LOUDER THAN NORMAL). WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE CAR WILL START SHAKING AND THE CAR COMPUTER POPS UP SAYING DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION AND YOU HAVE TO PULL OVER TO RESTART. HESITATE BEOFRE TAKING OFF AT A RED LIGHT OR WHEN TURNING IN AN INTERSECTION. COMPUTER ERROR MASSAGE COMES AND GOES.

NHTSA complaint #11321577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 BMW 550I at 80,000 miles Port Wentworth, GA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE CAR WILL START SHAKING AND THE CAR COMPUTER POPS UP SAYING DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION AND YOU HAVE TO PULL OVER TO RESTART THE CAR. BUT IT DOES IT AGAIN 5-10 MINUTES LATER

NHTSA complaint #11315757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 BMW 550I at 51,000 miles Glen Burnie, MD

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHEN I PRESS ON THE GAS TO ACCELERATE THE "DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION" ERROR COMES ON. MY CAR ONLY HAVE 51,000 MILES. I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND WAIT A MINUTE TO RESUME DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #11277330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 BMW 550I at 80,000 miles Oviedo, FL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

AFTER HAVING MADE SEVERAL REPLACEMENTS TO PARTS (E.G. ALL THREE FUEL PUMPS) TO THIS VEHICLE OVER THREE, THE VEHICLE NOW REQUIRES A NEW ENGINE DUE TO THE FAILURE OF A ROD RING. THE ROOT CAUSE FOR THIS FAILURE REMAINS UNIDENTIFIED, HOWEVER BMW IS REFUSING TO IDENTIFY AND/OR ACCEPT ACCOUNTABILITY TO ADDRESS THIS FAILURE WHICH REQUIRES AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT (>$13000). ANY VEHICLE OF THIS AGE (~7 YEARS OLD) AND MILEAGE (~80,000 MI.) SHOULD NOT REQUIRE AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT. FORTUNATELY THIS ISSUE OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING ON URBAN ROADS AT SPEEDS LESS THAT 50 MPH. HAD THIS OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC FOR ME, MY LOVED ONES AND OTHERS. ADDITIONALLY EACH FAILURE (E.G. OF FUEL PUMPS AND ROD RING) HAS CAUSED ME TO INCREASINGLY QUESTION THE SAFETY RESULTING FROM BMW'S VEHICLES USING THESE COMPONENTS. AT THIS POINT IN THE ABSENCE OF A REMEDY FROM BMW I AM LEFT WITH NO CHOICE BY TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT AS I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING POSSIBLE WITH BMW.

NHTSA complaint #11270044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 BMW 550I at 89,359 miles Aurora, IL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

CAR WILL STALL JERK AND STALL LOSSES POWER WHILE ACCELERATING.

NHTSA complaint #11255451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 BMW 550I Savannah, GA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

SINCE JAN 2014 THE FUEL INJECTORS FAILED AND REPLACED 2 TIMES AND THE VEH IS CURRENTLY AT THE POSITION OF CRTIZ BMW DEALERSHIP IN GA SINCE FEB 12/2015 TO REPLACE THE FUEL INJECTORS FOR THE 3RD TIME AND ALSO TO REPAIR THE SEAT BELT MALF ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE THAT WERE FAILED TO WORK SINCE FEB OF 2014. ON FEB OF 2014 I HAVE REACHED OUT TO CRITZ BMW SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND EXPLAINED THE ISSUE TO [XXX] AND ALSO CONTACTED BMW IN JUNE OF 2014 TO CUST CARE INDIVIDUALS AND [XXX], [XXX]THE CUSTOMER RELATION MGR MANY TIMES FROM OVER 6 MONTHS ABOUT THE SEAT BELT MALF SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THEN TO HAVE THIS ISSUE FIXED BUT I WAS TOLD THAT BMW COULDN'T DUPLICATE OR REPAIR THE SEAT BELT. 3 PASSENGERS INCLUDING MY WIFE WERE AT RISK AND SAW THE LIGHT FOR SEAT BELT MALF WARNING LIGHT TURNED ON IN THIS VEH WHILE SETTING ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND I ALSO HAVE PHOTOS DATED SINCE FEB 2014. THE WARNING INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG WON'T DEPLOY IN CASE OF ANY ACCIDENT AND I HAD TO STOP THE VEH WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY FOR THE PASSENGER'S SAFETY AND I ALSO CONTACTED BMW EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE AND I WAS TOLD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTIONS. [XXX] AT CRITZ BMW MENTIONED THAT THE SERVICE DEPT AND BMW ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE WITH THE SEAT BELT AND THAT THEY ARE IN CONTACT TO REPLACE THE SEAT MAT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE SENSOR. I WAS OFFERED BY BMW TO TRADE THIS VEHICLE AND I TOLD [XXX] THAT I WILL NOT TRADE THIS VEHICLE UNTIL ITS FIXED SINCE I DON'T WANT TO PUT SOMEONE'S LIFE IN DANGER DUE TO THE SEAT BELT ISSUE THAT BMW COULDN'T FIX AND I TOLD THEM THAT THEY CAN SIMPLY REPURCHASE, REPLACE OR REPAIR THIS VEHICLE. ON MARCH 12/2015 [XXX] TOLD ME OVER THE PHONE THAT THE BMW COULDN'T DUPLICATE OR REPAIR THE SEAT BELT MALFUNCTION ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT. I TOLD [XXX] OVER THE PHONE THAT I WILL NOT RISK THE LIFE OF MY WIFE OR ANY OTHER PERSON DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. BMW SIMPLY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ELSE ABOUT IT AND THAT THEY WILL BE CLOSING MY CASE. I WAS TOLD BY BMW

NHTSA complaint #11241522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 BMW 550I at 60,000 miles Miami Beach, FL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY CAR SUDDENLY STALLED NEARLY CAUSING A HUGE ACCIDENT, THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE FUEL PUMP. I NOTICED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE ON PRIOR YEAR BMW MODELS SO CALLED BMW DIRECTLY AND THEY SAID THAT AT THIS TIME THERE IS NO RECALL IN EFFECT, IT SEEMS TOO COINCIDENTAL THAT I HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND FEEL VERY LUCKY NOT TO HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I HAVE NOTHING.

NHTSA complaint #11210218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 BMW 550I at 86,000 miles Amarillo, TX

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I RECEIVED A CARD IN THE MAIL FROM BMW OF NORTH AMERICA INFORMING ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP OF MY 2011 BMW 550I. WHEN WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP IN AMARILLO TEXAS, AUTOPLEX BMW, WE WERE TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER [XXX] THAT WE ARE WELCOME TO BUY NEW CARS FROM THEM BUT THEY WILL NO LONGER HONER WARRANTY OR RECALL WORK FOR ANYONE WITH THE LAST NAME [XXX] OR WHO IS RELATED TO OR AFFILIATED WITH [XXX] IS THERE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN GIVE WITH THIS MATTER? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT

NHTSA complaint #11206988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 BMW 550I at 65,000 miles Fayetteville, NC

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

"TAKATA RECALL" I HAVE A 2013 BMW 550I XDRIVE M SPORT. IT KEEPS ON MISFIRING ON CYLINDER NUMBER TWO AND I HAVE CHANGED ALL 8 SPARK PLUGS AND THE INJECTOR FOR THAT CYLINDER. I ALSO USED OCTANE BOOSTER AND SEA FOAM TO CLEAN THE CARBON OUT THE FUEL SYSTEM. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE IT COULD BE IF IT'S STILL MISFIRING ON THAT CYLINDER. IT STARTS UP GOOD AND SOMETIMES IT STARTS UP KIND OF HESITANT. WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AFTER REALLY GOING FAST IT STARTS TO SHAKE AS I AM STOPPED AND WHEN I GO TO TAKE OFF IT LURCHES SOMETIMES. I HAVE ONLY HAD MECHANICS WORK ON MY CAR AND CAN'T FIND ANY OTHER EXPLANATION AS TO WHY IT'S NOT FUNCTIONING RIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #11163161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 BMW 550I at 55,000 miles Chatham, IL Fire

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD MULTIPLE RECALLS. THE LATEST ONE WAS CAMPAIGN NO. 18V-248. BMW HAS YET TO DO ANYTHING FOR MY VEHICLE, EVEN AFTER IT BURNT ITSELF TO THE GROUND AND A PORTION OF MY HOME. THEY DID NOT ADD ANY EXPLANATION OR ATTEMPT TO INVESTIGATE THIS SITUATION. IT IS STILL UNDEFINED HOW THIS VEHICLE LIT ITSELF ON FIRE AS IT WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF SITTING IN MY GARAGE, AFTER JUST BEING DRIVEN 5-10 MINUTES BEFORE THE FIRE STARTED.

NHTSA complaint #11142514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other BMW 550I problems