2008 BMW 550I Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 22%of 32 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2008 BMW 550I, 22% of the 32 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I had a parking light go bad and while I was replacing it I noticed that the wiring inside the headlight assembly is no longer insulated. The insulation has become brittle and is flaking off. I removed the cover for the other headlight and the same thing has happened to that light. It would seem that these bare wires could cause a vehicle fire.”
NHTSA complaint #10881273, filed 2016-06, 125,312 miles“I have been in contact with Bmw of north america for 8 weeks. My 2008 Bmw 550I caught fire while stationary at a gas station at the gas pump. The fire department was called out to contain the fire. The fire inspector and the fire chief both stated that it was a wiring issue. I have the fire report. I was finally able to get Bmw of north america to inspect the vehicle on feb. 5, 2018 and was told there 'looks like there could have been'work done to the wiring of the car. I have owned the vehicle since april 2017 (7 months) and have not done any work to the wiring. …”
NHTSA complaint #11072294, filed 2018-02, 85,000 miles“I recently started experiencing fuses blowing on my right front head light units. Errors would indicate it was the 'right daylight parking unit' and then would clear or stay constant. When it was constant, it was due to a blown fuse. It turns out when I had a Bmw certified technician look at the issue he said that the problem was related to the wiring inside the front head light. The wiring had insulation that was starting to flake off allowing contact of the two wires going to the bulb and was even apparent on other wires within the head light assembly. …”
NHTSA complaint #10716033, filed 2015-05, 77,000 miles“Bought a 2008 Bmw 550I and experienced headlight failure with the headlight fuse blowing repeatedly when I went to change the bulbs noticed that all the wires in the headlight were bare. Used liquid insulation to fix the issue however have seen numerous of this car catching fire from the issue after some research”
NHTSA complaint #10877150, filed 2016-06, 140,000 miles“Frayed and disintegrating headlight wiring present throughout my headlamps. These are sealed enclosures for which there are no preventive maintenance items. This is a serious safety issue as the headlights may fail without warning, particularly in hot weather. These are non consumer replaceable parts and prohibitively expensive to replace and should not be failing after only 8 years of service.”
NHTSA complaint #10916862, filed 2016-10, 100,000 milesRelated recalls
- 13V407000Sep 11, 2013BMW is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 528i, 535i, 550i, and M5 passenger cars manufactured from March 1, 2007, through December 31, 2009. Over…Covers: BMW 550I 2008–2010, 535I 2008–2010, 528I 2008–2010 +1 more
Related service bulletins
- 10057568Oct 1, 2014Bmw: on some vehicles, when starting, low beam, with 0552 option, would briefly flashes, due to a faulty led main light module that needs replacing. Model 2008-14 f01, f02, f06…
- 10147945Jan 1, 2014Delay in Automatic Driving Light Switching On/Off. When driving out of a tunnel or exiting underground parking, the automatic driving light remains switched on for two minutes…
- 10037025Aug 1, 2010Bmw: procedure for determining and replacing incandescent and halogen light bulbs under warranty.
Exterior lighting: other model years
Other parts of the 2008 BMW 550I
9 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 BMW 550I
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology