2013 BMW 550I problems
The 2013 BMW 550I has 26 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (31%) concerns engine. After that come fuel system (19%) and drivetrain & axles (12%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 26 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 31% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 1 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 74,000 miles 20 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 | 2 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 2 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 1 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 8 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 3 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 3 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 1 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 20 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 74,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 1 injury reported. Its complaints are less severe on average than those of 85% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2013 ranks 5th most-complained-about out of 6 model years of the BMW 550I with enough data (16 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.
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.
I started the car and turned on the heated seats and went inside. I came back out a few minutes later and sat down. I smelled burning plastic and couldn't figure it out until my backside was burned by the heating element. I had second degree burns from the seat.
Engine continues to burn through oil approximately every 1,500 miles, which could leave the vehicle stranded and inoperable. It's unacceptable in a brand new vehicle.
While drive below 30 MPH, the front driveshaft broke and ruptured a hole in the engine's upper oil pan. The flexible joint or universal joint seized and broke the front part of the front driveshaft. Then the vehicle had metal in the engine oil and that has damaged the engine and the turbochargers. The vehicle is going to need a new engine, new turbochargers, and a new front driveshaft.
The contact owned a 2013 BMW 550I. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The contact was able to coast into the driveway. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle and there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. No warning lights were illuminated prior to the failure; however, several unknown warning lights illuminated when the vehicle failed to restart.