2006 BMW 550I problems
The 2006 BMW 550I has 30 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (47%) concerns air bags. After that come electrical system (10%) and engine (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 30 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Air bags 47% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 3 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 2 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 100,000 miles 25 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 0 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 0 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 2 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 4 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 6 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 3 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 3 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 3 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 3 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 25 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 100,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 3 complaints mention a crash; 2 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2006 ranks 6th most-complained-about out of 6 model years of the BMW 550I with enough data (4 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 3 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 BMW 550I. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH attempting to avoid crashing into an animal, the contact swerved to the right and crashed into a tree. The air bag deployed but the contact sustained burns on the neck and right wrist from the air bag chemicals. The contact also required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure.
Tl* the contact owned a 2006 BMW 550I. While driving approximately 40 MPH and attempting avoid crashing into an animal, the vehicle was maneuvered to the right and crashed into a tree. The front driver side air bag deployed. As a result, the contact sustained burns to the right wrist, forehead, and the left side of the neck which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate the failure mileage was 130,000.
While driving near home on a rainy day on 10/18/2012 when I applied my brakes at a road curve, the brakes did not respond and I hit a sidewalk, damaging the rear bumper on its right hand side (passenger's side). I searched the internet for brake failures on my 2006 BMW 550I and found a recall id #87954, related to a "complete loss of power assist braking, or unexpected reduction or loss in power braking assist...".
My 06 BMW 550I is having an electric wheel lock fault just like thousands of others this as you know could possibly lead to an accident. It is my understanding that BMW has issued a service bulletin acknowledging the issue. Any assistance is greatly appreciated.
There is fuel leaking from the main fuel line to the fuel rail. Extremely dangerous upon research I have found that this is a common problem with my model which explains why bmw's catch fire. Does someone have to die before they fix this problem?