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BMW 550IModel year report

2010 BMW 550I Problems

Complaints
11filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
48,500miles, 8 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
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 2010 BMW 550I (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2010 BMW 550I. The part named most often is engine, with 4 complaints (36% of the total), followed by electrical system (3) and transmission and drivetrain (3). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 48,500 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 79 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 8 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 35 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.

Example complaints

Engine: “From a very slow roll there is a delay in engine response of 1-2 seconds. There is also a delay in engine response in the 10-30 MPH range of the same length of time. The slow roll event can cause confusion to other drivers who believe you are yielding the right away when you do not accelerate in a timely manner going forward or making a turning movement. There is the possibility of an accident if a pedestrian, bicyclist or another car takes the delay as a sign that they have the right of way. …”

NHTSA complaint #10551165, filed 2013-11, 15,000 miles

Electrical system: “Purchased car two years ago and drivetrain malfunction continues to light continually comes on, vehicle begins to shake uncontrollably. I've had driven lexus vehicles for the prior 30 years and never spent so much time at the dealer trying to resolve the same problem or any mechanical / electrical problems. Switching to Bmw within these past two years have literally interrupted my life, cost me time and money as this vehicle was in the repair shop (dealer) for more than 70 days within two years (dealer spent just as much time with the car as I). …”

NHTSA complaint #11030089, filed 2017-09, 70,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “When driving freeway or street, transmission malfunctions causing it to drop into a low gear and reduce speed significantly. There is no maintenance schedule on the transmission. Unfortunately will need replacement at 8 yrs & 90k on odometer. Bmw should recall and fix.”

NHTSA complaint #11114176, filed 2018-07, 91,000 miles

Fuel system: “I have been having issues , not sure what the problem is but the car doesn’t seem like it’s getting proper gas , & it shakes when I drive . I had to park it in the garage after having it towed home due to an unknown issue .”

NHTSA complaint #11560998, filed 2023-12

Mileage when problems were reported

50% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 20,120 and 70,000 miles.

13%0–1025%10–2513%25–5025%50–7525%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (8 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 48,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

2010201220132015201620172018320222023
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.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 BMW 550I. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
5 Series · sedan RWD/4WDnot rated3 / 5——4 · 10.5% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2010 model year: forward collision warning not available, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2010 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 xDrive GT AWD4.4L 8-cyl8-speed automatic152218$4,550

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 2010 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. 79 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 79 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
20123559,287251850 · TypicalFalling
20118454,000352096 · 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 2010 BMW 550I have?

NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 2010 BMW 550I as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2010 BMW 550I is reported most often?

Engine is named most often, in 4 complaints (36% of the total), followed by electrical system with 3.

Has the 2010 BMW 550I been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2010 BMW 550I get?

The EPA rates the 2010 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 2010 BMW 550I reported?

Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 48,500 miles and the middle half falls between 20,120 and 70,000 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.