2008 BMW 550I Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 9%of 32 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 18,003miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 BMW 550I, 9% of the 32 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 18,003 miles.
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 was driving on the freeway and the power train light came on and the car began to loose a lot of power then when I pulled to side of the road the car turned of and would not start until several attempts . I waited about 8 min then started to drive . And it does this all the time now . Then the light goes out and drives fine . But this always happens . And it's very dangerous. I've been in some tight situations.”
NHTSA complaint #11340211, filed 2020-07, 6 miles“Vehicle shuts off unexpectedly and fails to restart, additionally the vehicle will randomly fail to start. The engine will shut off while driving at highway speeds, when driving slowly, or shortly after shifting the car into drive from park. No warnings or errors are generally encountered or logged however in rare instances drivetrain warnings are displayed. The engine displays no strange behavior prior to this occurring and shuts off as if it were instructed to do so. The vehicle regularly fails to start. …”
NHTSA complaint #10443258, filed 2012-01, 36,000 miles“2008 Bmw 550I. Consumer states when normally down shifting to reduce speed, the cruise control would not disengage when the clutch was pushed in the consumer stated when the clutch was released in a lower gear, it maintained the higher speed and merely revved the engine. The consumer learned he could not down shift, but had to break instead. The consumer and the Bmw technician went for a test drive and it was soon discovered that the clucth had to be held for about six seconds in order for the cruise control to disengage. …”
NHTSA complaint #10440796, filed 2011-12Related service bulletins
- 10175267Apr 1, 2020Power Reduction FC2A82 Intake VANOS and/or FC2 A87 Exhaust VANOS Camshaft Fault: The "Service Engine Soon" (MIL) lamp is illuminated and engine power reduction is perceived. This…
- 10148034Sep 1, 2014"Intelligent Battery Sensor Diagnosis Hints. The vehicle enters the workshop with one or more of the following complaints: * Check Control Message related to battery discharge *…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2008 BMW 550I
9 complaintsExterior lighting
7 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsSeat belts
4 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