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BMW 550IModel year report

2006 BMW 550I Problems

Complaints
23filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
100,000miles, 19 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
16 mpgcombined, 4.8L 8-cyl RWD · 14 city / 21 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2006 BMW 550I (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 2006 BMW 550I. The part named most often is air bags, with 13 complaints (57% of the total), followed by electrical system (3) and brakes (2). 19 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 100,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 51 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the occupant classification and 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 26 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Tires (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “Steering malfunction issue and restraint system malfunction message. I'm aware that Bmw had recalls on these issues that I am having however I called Bmw USA and my VIN number they say wasn't involved in the recall. However I'm having the same issue.”

NHTSA complaint #10658543, filed 2014-11, 70,000 miles

Electrical system: “Headlight wire insulation flaking off and wires are shorting causing headlight to go off. Wires short and arcing. The headlight went off while driving on highway at night.”

NHTSA complaint #11184225, filed 2019-03, 80,000 miles

Brakes: “Altough my 2006 Bmw 550I v8 is hard to stop and falls under Bmw brake vacuum pump recall released november 2010, for some reason my VIN doesnt bring up the recall. Bmw refused to fix.a wasted 1 hour trip and day.”

NHTSA complaint #10859879, filed 2016-04, 146,000 miles

Engine: “I was driving home and felt the car leaning to one side (passenger side) I drove slowly with hazard lights on made it home and checked under vehicle looked liked the bolt came off and bar connected to tire was dropped had it towed to shop and was told control arm needed to be replaced . …”

NHTSA complaint #11321429, filed 2020-04, 142,764 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 19 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 70,000 and 142,764 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–5026%50–7521%75–10037%100–15016%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (19 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 100,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

2010201220155201720192023
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2006 BMW 550I version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
550i RWD4.8L 8-cyl6-speed automatic152318$4,550
550i RWD4.8L 8-cyl6-speed manual142116$5,150
550i RWD4.8L 8-cyl6-speed automatic142016$5,150

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2006 BMW 550I → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 51 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 51 bulletins →

Other model years of the BMW 550I

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2015644,0000520—Not enough data
2014647,0002520—Not enough data
20131572,3431519—Falling
20123659,287251850 · TypicalFalling
20118454,000352095 · MoreFalling
20101148,5001—18—Not enough data
20083277,5002—1838 · TypicalStable
20073772,1002—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200623100,0003—16—Stable

All BMW 550I model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006 BMW 550I have?

NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 2006 BMW 550I as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2006 BMW 550I is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 13 complaints (57% of the total), followed by electrical system with 3.

Has the 2006 BMW 550I been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2006 BMW 550I get?

The EPA rates the 2006 BMW 550I (550i, 4.8L 8-cyl) at 16 mpg combined, 14 city and 21 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2006 BMW 550I reported?

Among the 19 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 100,000 miles and the middle half falls between 70,000 and 142,764 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.