TICKING NOISE WHILE CORNERING WITHOUT THE BRAKES APPLIED: This Service Information Bulletin (Revision 3) replaces SI B34 05 17 dated September 2017. Ticking noise coming from front wheel while cornering without brakes applied noticeable at low speeds. The vehicle must be moving. See attached video V34 01 20 Note: For a similar noise heard when parking with the brakes applied refer to SIB 31 01 12. Microscopic movement of the contact interface between the inner brake disc and the wheel bearing flange on vehicles equipped with lightweight brake discs.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 BMW 550i powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2011 BMW 550i have filed 14 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 73,000 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 550i (this page) | 14 |
| 2013 550i | 3 |
When does it fail?
Of the 14 powertrain complaints filed for the 2011 BMW 550i, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
N63, N63TU, S63 and S63TU Engines: Oil Leak from the Rear: Customer complains that engine oil is leaking from the center of the vehicle. When verified, the engine oil residue can be seen leaking from between the engine and the transmission bell housing.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TICKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT AXLE WHEN CORNERING: The customer may complain of a metallic ticking noise from the front axle when cornering, maneuvering, parking or pulling away from a parking space.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗N63, N63TU, S63 and S63TU Engines: Oil Leak from the Rear of the Engine and Transmission Bell Housing. Customer complains that engine oil is leaking from the center of the vehicle. When verified, the engine oil residue can be seen leaking from between the engine and the transmission bell housing.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Vibration or Shudder from Driveline when Accelerating from a Stop. Chassis stabilization warning is displayed. Vehicle may exhibit a shudder or vibration when taking off from a stop. One or more of the following fault codes may be stored: LMV ? 440101 - Transfer box (VTG): End of transmission service life reached ? 440105 - Transfer box (VTG ) Calibration Faulty ? 440115 - Transfer box (VTG): Calibration angle deviation outside tolerance? 44011B - Set torque outside of the torque characteristic curve EGS ? 420611 - DSC interface (wheel speed): non-permitted deviation of wheel speed (actual speed of wheel RL/FL/RR/FR, 0x254) from output speed and turbine speed DSC ? 48097D - Transfer box: Fau
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2011 BMW 550i vehicles consistently report drivetrain malfunction warnings followed by sudden power loss, violent shaking, and engine stalling—often at highway speeds. The failures occur across a range of mileages, from 41,000 to 70,000 miles, with some vehicles experiencing the problem multiple times within a year.
Water pump failure and turbo coolant hose cracks are documented problems. One owner's turbo hoses cracked and ejected coolant, causing smoke and alternator damage that nearly caused a highway accident. Timing chain slack, excessive oil consumption, head gasket failures, and transmission control module (TCM) malfunctions also appear repeatedly.
Repair costs are substantial: transmission replacement quoted at $11,000, mechatronics units at $4,000, timing chain work estimated at $10,000, and engine replacements costing nearly the vehicle's value. Several owners report that dealer-performed repairs failed to resolve the issues, and replacement transmissions exhibited identical problems.
Owners repeatedly cite NHTSA Recall 18V248000 and the N63 Customer Service Packet, but many report their VINs were not listed despite having affected N63 engines. Dealers have acknowledged "known issues" with the TCM but denied existing recalls. Warranty denials are common once vehicles exceed 50,000 miles, leaving owners responsible for catastrophic repair costs. One owner's repeated service requests for recall-related work were delayed due to parts unavailability, and the vehicle eventually failed past warranty.
Failure modes owners describe
Engine overheating and coolant system failure
Water pump failure, turbo coolant hose cracks, and evaporative coolant leaks causing engine overheating. One owner reported turbo coolant hoses cracking 'like glass' and ejecting coolant, causing smoke and alternator damage on the highway.
When: Various mileages; one incident at 41,900 miles; one at 90K miles after prior seal work at 50K
Symptoms owners cite: Engine overheating; White smoke from engine; Coolant ejection; Alternator burning and smoking; Loss of power during highway driving
Repairs/costs cited: Water pump replacement, alternator repair, head gasket replacement (~$4K+ estimated for comprehensive repairs based on context)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall 18V248000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); N63 Customer Service Packet; owners report VINs not on recall list despite having affected N63 engines
Drivetrain malfunction with sudden power loss
Drivetrain malfunction warning light illuminates accompanied by violent shaking, stalling, and sudden loss of acceleration on highways. Occurs intermittently and has recurred multiple times in some vehicles.
When: Failure mileages range from 41,900 to 70K miles; one case at 49,500 miles; another recurred multiple times within one year on 70K-mile vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Drivetrain malfunction warning light; Violent shaking and jerking; Loss of power and acceleration; Engine stalling; Check engine light; Vehicle unable to accelerate for traffic
Codes mentioned: High pressure sensor fault, Low pressure sensor fault
Repairs/costs cited: High pressure sensor, low pressure sensor, and drivetrain component replacement; one estimate cited $11,000 transmission replacement; repairs often incomplete or unsuccessful
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: N63 recall mentioned; one owner reports BMW North America said 50K-mile warranty expired and cannot commit to repairs
Transmission malfunction and mechatronics failure
Transmission displays malfunction warnings (Transmission Malfunction, DSC, xDrive) and suddenly slows vehicle on highway without warning. Occurs after transmission replacement in at least one case. Known issue involving TCM (transmission control module/mechatronic valve throttle body control module).
When: Reported at 59K miles; problem persisted in replacement transmission; highway incident without warning
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission malfunction warning; DSC malfunction; xDrive malfunction; Sudden vehicle slowdown on highway; Vehicle attempting to drive in reverse and first gear simultaneously
Codes mentioned: TCM (Transmission Control Module) malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement $11,000; used transmission replacement attempted but problem persisted; mechatronics unit estimated at $4,000; dealer acknowledged 'known problem'
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers acknowledge 'known issue' with TCM but no recall mentioned; manufacturer has not inspected vehicle
Timing chain slack and out-of-time positioning
Timing chain moves out of position relative to crankshaft, causing drivetrain malfunction warning. Owner estimates repair cost at approximately $10,000. Attributed to N63 engine design defect.
When: Not specified; owner characterizes as inevitable for this engine/model combination
Symptoms owners cite: Drivetrain malfunction warning; Timing chain out of time
Repairs/costs cited: Timing chain repair estimated at ~$10,000
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: N63 Customer Service Packet recall; owner calls it a 'manufacturer mistake'
Oil consumption and valve seal failure
Engine burns excessive oil; valve stem seals or stem seals replaced at 50K miles by BMW, but blue smoke reappears by 90K miles. Prevents vehicle from passing smog check in California.
When: First work at 50K miles; owner acquired vehicle at 69K miles; smoke observed from 90K miles onward; now at 143K miles
Symptoms owners cite: Blue/bluish smoke from exhaust; Excessive oil consumption; Fails smog check
Repairs/costs cited: Valve stem/seal replacement (prior work); owner questions whether original repair was performed correctly
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None stated; owner contacted BMW questioning repair quality
N63 engine oil consumption and defective replacement engines
Engine replacement under Bang settlement; replacement engine continues to consume excessive oil, suggesting defective replacement. Owner states BMW knowingly replaces defective engines with defective ones and should have issued broader recall.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive oil consumption in replacement engine
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement cost nearly equal to vehicle value; replacement engine still consumes oil excessively
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Bang settlement engine replacement; owner believes recall should have been issued long ago
Engine gasket failures and misfires
Head gasket failure and spark plug/coil misfire issues. Engine overheating and expanding gaskets allow oil to reach spark plugs. Recurrent issue occurring fourth time in two years.
When: Four occurrences within two-year period
Symptoms owners cite: Engine overheating; Misfires; Oil reaching spark plugs; Loss of powertrain while driving; Vehicle slowdown
Repairs/costs cited: Coil and spark plug repair (repeated); gasket work implied
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None stated
Turbo failure with fuel smell
Turbo fails causing fuel smell and drivetrain malfunction warning light to illuminate intermittently. Occurs both in park and while driving.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Turbo failure; Fuel smell; Drivetrain malfunction warning (intermittent); Car performance greatly decreased
Repairs/costs cited: Not specified
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer denying recalls are in place
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
I bought the car on may 6, 2015 with about 53k miles on it. Drove it for only about 45 days and while driving the car the drivetrain malfunction and other lights came on and the car lost power and stopped immediately. At first, I thought it was the battery and had the car jumped but that didn't work. The care engine was totally dead, no sound no anything other than the engine light that popped…
Engine overheating,burning a lot of oil,also having issues with the spark plug and coils,having misfires for the engine compartment heat expanding gaskets allowing oil to reach spark plugs loosing powertrain while driving causing car to slow down,this is the fourth time in the last 2 years that we have this issue,also having issues with water coming into the right side back seat unable to…
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 BMW 550i. While driving 35 MPH, the drive train malfunction warning message illuminated. The contact also stated that when depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle shook violently, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled along with the drive train warning light. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2011 BMW 550i?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2011 BMW 550i?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 14 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 53,000 and 109,000 miles, with the median around 73,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 53,000; a quarter make it past 109,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/BMW/550i.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.