NHTSA vehicle safety data
2016 BMW 550I Recalls & Complaints
The 2016 BMW 550I has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2016 BMW 550I. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2016 BMW 550I owner complaints
Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2016 BMW 550I, describing incidents dated February 8, 2020.
Most-cited components
- Engine 1 complaint
- Power Train 1 complaint
Newest complaints
ODI #11308861 · Filed
MY 2016 BMW 550I XDRIVE M SPORT IS USING/BURNING ONE QUART OF OIL EVERY 750-800 MILES, THE ODOMETER READS 36,343 MILES, VERY LOW MILES FOR THIS CAR TO BE USING THAT MUCH OIL, I BOUGHT IT IN AUGUST OF 2019 WITH 34,654 MILES ON IT. YOU CAN SEE THAT I DON'T DRIVE IT THAT MUCH, HAVE NEVER HAD THE CAR ON…
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2016 BMW 550I in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
- Engineering Analysis EA21-002: Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Open since September 17, 2021
Seat Mounted Air Bags may not Deploy
NHTSA #16V914000 · Air Bags · NHTSA notice
Reported December 20, 2016 · BMW of North America, LLC
Potentially affected: 3,506 vehicles
Repair completion: 88.46% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Owners notified February 10, 2017 · Vehicles built September 16, 2016 – October 12, 2016 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2017 BMW 640i, 640i xDrive, 650i, 650i xDrive, M6, 535i, 535i xDrive, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, i3, i8, Rolls-Royce Dawn, Mini Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Cooper All4, Cooper S All4, Mini 4-Door Cooper, Cooper S, Mini 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, John Cooper Works and 2016 BMW 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, M5 and 535d vehicles. The affected vehicles have seat- mounted side air bag inflator initiators that may fail to ignite during a crash.
Safety consequence
If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Manufacturer remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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.
Bent Left Rear Seat Inboard Anchor/FMVSS 225
NHTSA #15V718000 · Child Seat · NHTSA notice
Reported October 30, 2015 · BMW of North America, LLC
Potentially affected: 7,162 vehicles
Repair completion: 82.64% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Owners notified December 28, 2015
Defect description
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535d xDrive, M5, 550i, 550i xDrive, and 535d sedans. The affected vehicles have an inboard lower anchor for child restraints on the left rear seat that may have been bent downwards, preventing the child seat from fully engaging both lower anchors. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
Safety consequence
If the child seat is not properly attached to the lower anchors, it can increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair the inboard lower anchor on the left rear seat, free of charge. The recall began on December 28, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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 2016 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.
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