NHTSA vehicle safety data

2010 BMW 550I Recalls & Complaints

The 2010 BMW 550I has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 11 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2010 BMW 550I. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2010 BMW 550I owner complaints

Owners have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 BMW 550I, describing incidents dated October 30, 2009 to December 19, 2023.

Most-cited components

  • Engine 4 complaints
  • Electrical System 3 complaints
  • Power Train 3 complaints
  • Fuel/Propulsion System 2 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 2 complaints
  • Wheels 2 complaints

Of the 11 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11560998 · Filed

    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 .

  • ODI #11456105 · Filed

    On 11/10/21 I was advised by Long Beach BMW (Long Beach, CA) that my car needs a new engine. The car smells of gas (both when running and when sitting) and burns excessive amounts of oil. The car requires a quart of oil every 200 - 400 miles. The first engine was replaced after only 77,000 miles…

  • ODI #11114176 · Filed

    WHEN DRIVING FREEWAY OR STREET, TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONS CAUSING IT TO DROP INTO A LOW GEAR AND REDUCE SPEED SIGNIFICANTLY. THERE IS NO MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE ON THE TRANSMISSION. UNFORTUNATELY WILL NEED REPLACEMENT AT 8 YRS & 90K ON ODOMETER. BMW SHOULD RECALL AND FIX.

Read all 11 complaints

Tail light Failure

NHTSA #13V407000 · Exterior Lighting — Tail Lights · NHTSA notice

Reported September 11, 2013 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 134,100 vehicles

Repair completion: 76.48% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified January 2, 2014 · Vehicles built March 1, 2007 – December 31, 2009 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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 rear lamp functions (tail, brake, turn-signal, reverse).

Safety consequence

Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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].

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Other BMW 550I model years

Check your 2010 BMW 550I VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW 550I at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a BMW VIN