2008 BMW 550I — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
49
Owner Complaints
2
Recalls
1
Service Bulletin
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2008 BMW 550I
The 2008 BMW 550I has received a total of 49 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. 1 technical service bulletin have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (9 complaints), Exterior Lighting (7 complaints), and Air Bags (6 complaints).
Recalls for the 2008 BMW 550I
NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 2008 BMW 550I, potentially affecting up to 163,350 vehicles.
Recall 13V407000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
| 134,100 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear lamp bulb carriers free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].
View full details →Recall 07V479000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
| 29,250 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2008 BMW 550I
49 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 BMW 550I. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 9 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasoline | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainclutch Assembly | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainmanual Transmission | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulic | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspensionmultiple Axletorque Arm | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Safety Rating for the 2008 BMW 550I
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2008 BMW 550I in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2008 BMW 550I
BMW of North America, LLC has issued 1 technical service bulletin (TSBs) for the 2008 BMW 550I. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
B612906 — STEERING
ELV Does Not Release. The customer complains of a no-crank, no-start situation. The condition may be intermittent. The ELV (Electric Steering Lock) warning is shown in the Instrument Cluster.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2008 BMW 550I
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BMW 550I
- 2006 BMW 550I — 30 complaints
- 2007 BMW 550I — 48 complaints
- 2008 BMW 550I (current)
- 2009 BMW 550I — 2 complaints
- 2010 BMW 550I — 17 complaints
- 2011 BMW 550I — 144 complaints
- 2012 BMW 550I — 53 complaints
- 2013 BMW 550I — 26 complaints