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BMW 550IModel year report

2007 BMW 550I Problems

Complaints
37filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
72,100miles, 29 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
18 mpgcombined, 4.8L 8-cyl RWD · 15 city / 22 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2007 BMW 550I (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 37 consumer complaints for the 2007 BMW 550I. The part named most often is air bags, with 8 complaints (22% of the total), followed by exterior lighting (6) and steering (6). 29 of the complaints include a mileage, and 41% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 72,100 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 53 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the occupant classification and 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Exterior lighting complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

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: Engine cooling (1), Equipment (1), Seat belts (1), Seats (1), Suspension (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “- the contact stated that while driving on10/26/06 in heavy traffic driving the vehicle in front sudden stop and he hit the back of the vehicle and the airbags deployed. The contact stated that the police came out to the scene, but no report was taken. The police stated that there was no damage to contact's vehicle or to the vehicle that he hit. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to armonk garage and then to the dealership, where the vehicle was purchased. The service mechanic stated the only visible damage was that the license plate had a scratch. …”

NHTSA complaint #10177868, filed 2007-01, 100 miles

Exterior lighting: “About 3 months ago I bought a 2007 Bmw 550I with 29,802 miles. When a large red steering lock light appeared on the dash, as well as, the center console computer had instructions not to turn the engine off . The car operated normally just with an uncomfortable big red light on my dash. Before calling the Bmw dealer I decided to do some research on the internet. I have found dozens of Bmw forums referencing steering wheel lock malfunctions. Most were ranging from updating computers to steering column replacements. …”

NHTSA complaint #10463498, filed 2012-06, 34,400 miles

Steering: “From time to time I am getting a yellow warning light indicating elv blocked and sometimes preventing me from starting the car. Was on the side of the highway and was stranded many times. Very frustrating and dangerous.”

NHTSA complaint #10790091, filed 2015-11, 5 miles

Engine: “Excessive exhaust smoke when vehicle is idling... White smoke. The oil seems to collect somewhere in the engine while idling and continues to smoke for a while, after idling and in motion. The smoking seems to be worse when idling on an incline or decline. This has been going on a while. I thought there was a recall due to this problem being prevalent with this 8 cyl engine. I am just now reporting this issue but it's been ongoing for a couple years now.”

NHTSA complaint #11325965, filed 2020-05, 90,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

41% of the 29 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 34,400 and 89,000 miles.

14%0–103%10–2524%25–5014%50–7528%75–10014%100–1503%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (29 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 72,100 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’06’08’10’12’145’16’19’21
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 2007 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 manual152218$4,550
550i RWD4.8L 8-cyl6-speed automatic152318$4,550
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 2007 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. 53 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 53 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 2007 BMW 550I have?

NHTSA recorded 37 consumer complaints for the 2007 BMW 550I as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2007 BMW 550I is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 8 complaints (22% of the total), followed by exterior lighting with 6.

Has the 2007 BMW 550I been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2007 BMW 550I get?

The EPA rates the 2007 BMW 550I (550i, 4.8L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2007 BMW 550I reported?

Among the 29 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 72,100 miles and the middle half falls between 34,400 and 89,000 miles; 41% 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.