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 THE REPAIRS. THE CAR ONLY HAS JUST OVER 50K MILES. IT WAS PURCHASED WITH 40K MILES ON IT BUT WAS PURCHASED FROM A DEALER…
2011 bmw 550i engine problems
severe 17 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$3,100
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
BMW N63 CUSTOMER CARE PACKAGE: A RECALL B001314 THAT BMW REFUSES TO CALL A RECALL. IM HAVING PROBLUM WITH THE CAR BURNING OIL EVERY 200 MILES HAD FUEL INJECTORS REPLACE TWICE. CAR STILLS RUNS BAD. MY CAR ONLY HAS 84K ON IT AND I HAVE HAD SO MANY PROBLUMS OUT OF IT OIL CHANCE HAS ALWAYS BEEN ON TIME.
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENTIRE CAR STARTED SHAKING. I GET MULTIPLE ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHTS AND THEN GET A "REDUCED POWER" ALERT ON MY DASHBOARD. THE CAR GOES INTO "LIMP-MODE", WHICH MEANS IT'S INCAPABLE OF GOING PAST 40-45 MPH AND GOING ANYTHING ABOVE 25 RESULTS IN VIOLENT SHAKING OF THE CAR. ALSO AT RED LIGHTS, THE ENTIRE CAR VIBRATES. THE FAULT WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE …
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2011 bmw 550i?
It's a meaningful issue. 17 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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