2011 BMW 550i problems
The 2011 BMW 550i has 91 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2011 BMW 550i has 91 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 17 complaints, typically surfacing around 72,717 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 550i | 0 | 1 |
| 2011 550i (this page) | 91 | 0 |
| 2012 550i | 35 | 0 |
| 2013 550i | 15 | 0 |
| 2014 550i | 6 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 5 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2011 BMW 550 I 4 DR RWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2011 BMW 550i? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- engine — 17 owner reports · tends to show around 72,717 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- electrical — 14 owner reports · tends to show around 77,008 mi · ~$850 to fix
- powertrain — 14 owner reports · tends to show around 73,163 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- tires — 11 owner reports · tends to show around 10,459 mi · ~$150 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 72,717 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2011 BMW 550i
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2011 BMW 550i
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~5,000 mitires~$150
- ~70,000 miengine~$3,100
- ~73,000 mipowertrain~$2,500
- ~85,000 mielectrical~$850
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
I was rear ended on the left side exiting the freeway when my car spun to the right into a guardrail head on and continued into a 360 degree motion. The roads were clear and normal weather conditions. After my vehicle stopped spinning my vehicle had a message stating restraint…
Engine information center says to add oil, in between oil changes, numerous times. Car shut down on road and was taken to a dealer. Dealer says the engine has seized. Since the vehicle is just over the warranty by miles, pax 500 miles, I was told that I would be responsible for…
I was driving on a back road about 40 MPH. No other cars and nothing but bushes around me. I heard a huge loud bang and my sunroof just abruptly shattered. I know nothing hit it and if it did it shouldn't have shattered like that. I read another vehicle on here, same model, year…
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 BMW 550i. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle would not shift back into park. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed that the wiring that connected to the fuse box…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2011 BMW 550i reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 91 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 BMW 550i is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2011 BMW 550i?
On the NHTSA data, the 2011 BMW 550i does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2011 BMW 550i?
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 17 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 72,717 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2011 BMW 550i a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 91 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 72,717 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2011 BMW 550i?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 17 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 72,717 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 72,717 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my BMW 550i has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2011 BMW 550i?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 91 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.