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BrakesPart report

2011 BMW 550I Brakes Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
5%of 84 total for the year
Median mileage
53,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the brakes of the 2011 BMW 550I, 5% of the 84 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 53,000 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.

“My 2011 Bmw 550I has thrice had this weird response in the past 6 months. After driving for 30m-1h suddenly got multiple different warning lights before I lost control of steering (stiff like a dead body) and brakes following which the car stalled. It was towed to the dealership who said this was a bad battery which did not make sense but the car was running thereafter so I took it home. The second time the dealership was closed - I was able to start the car a few minutes later and took the risk of driving home. The dealership said since the car was running they could not run any diagnosis. …”

NHTSA complaint #10979764, filed 2017-04, 53,000 miles

“This complaint is concerning my 2011 Bmw 550I. I have been having problems with my Bmw since about 7000 miles on the vehicle. The brakes keep locking, the rotors keep grinding and grooving, nose coming from the brakes while driving and stopping, and the dealer has changed them more than 4 times and the issues continues to happen. They advised me that they cannot fix it and there is nothing else they can do. Please help me with my vehicle issue. It has been parked from more than a year and a half and I feel that it is a safety issue. I feel like my life is in danger if I drive this vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #10543299, filed 2013-09, 7,000 miles

“1. TICKING NOISE WHILE CORNERING WITHOUT THE BRAKES APPLIED: Ticking noise coming from front wheel while cornering without brakes applied, noticeable at low speeds. The vehicle must be moving. 2. CRACKING NOISES FROM THE FRONTAXLE AREA WHILE TURNING THE WHEELS, WHEN STATION: Cracking noises are heard from the front axle area while maneuvering at low speeds (e.g., parking lot maneuvers) or when turning the steering wheel while stationary. I am reporting safety issues that were never addressed by BMW North America, and for which I received no notification. …”

NHTSA complaint #11714732, filed 2026-01

“The contact owns a 2011 Bmw 550I. While driving 70 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the drive train warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle lost momentum. Also, the brake pedal did not stop the vehicle when it was depressed. The contact was able to slow down the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal with both feet. The dealer stated that the vacuum pump failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 101,000.”

NHTSA complaint #10910587, filed 2016-09, 101,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201317%
201213%
201145%
201019%
200813%
200725%
200629%

Other parts of the 2011 BMW 550I

Engine
32 complaintsElectrical system
20 complaintsFuel system
16 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
14 complaintsTires
12 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsWheels
6 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2011 BMW 550I

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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