2011 BMW 550I Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 17%of 84 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2011 BMW 550I, 17% of the 84 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,000 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.
“I own my Bmw 550I gran turismo sedan 2011 f10(n63). There is a recall on my exact model. Nhtsa number: 18v248000/ engine and engine cooling. I am having the same exact issues that the recall shows. I have proof of documents showing my water pump failing, getting service water pump and alternator repair. August 24, 2019 shows small evaporations leak, cylinder misfires and has bad head gasket. …”
NHTSA complaint #11322775, filed 2020-04, 120,000 miles“I am currently having problems with my vehicle and the local authorized dealer/service center, I believe they have been negligent with their actions to multiple problems that have occurred, including the repair and inspection pertaining to a recall of the n63 engine vehicles. The vehicle has had multiple issues in the past, including several drivetrain malfunctions for which I believe have the dates and service records they relate fuel injectors, battery, pumps, ect.. …”
NHTSA complaint #10721185, filed 2015-05, 53,000 miles“I bought the car on may 6, 2015 with about 53k miles on it. Drove it for only about 45 days and while driving the car the drivetrain malfunction and other lights came on and the car lost power and stopped immediately. At first, I thought it was the battery and had the car jumped but that didn't work. The care engine was totally dead, no sound no anything other than the engine light that popped on before it stopped. I had purchased an extended warranty from gwc at the purchase of the car so informed them. …”
NHTSA complaint #10652558, filed 2014-11, 55,000 miles“I was driving on a residential street and shifted into 3rd gear. The car began to buck violently. I pushed in the clutch to stop the bucking. I was approaching an intersection. I attempted to accelerate and the gas pedal was non-responsive. The vehicle then indicated that it had a drivetrain malfunction. I was able to pull over, turn the car off and back on and drive 0.5 miles to my destination. While parked, the parking brake also malfunctioned and I was unable to turn it off. The car was towed to the dealership. There is a significant design deficiency with this vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10587375, filed 2014-05, 24,000 miles“Engine overheating,burning a lot of oil,also having issues with the spark plug and coils,having misfires for the engine compartment heat expanding gaskets allowing oil to reach spark plugs loosing powertrain while driving causing car to slow down,this is the fourth time in the last 2 years that we have this issue,also having issues with water coming into the right side back seat unable to pinpoint the place where water is coming in from.”
NHTSA complaint #11141740, filed 2018-10, 83,900 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10174009Apr 1, 2020TICKING NOISE WHILE CORNERING WITHOUT THE BRAKES APPLIED: This Service Information Bulletin (Revision 3) replaces SI B34 05 17 dated September 2017. Ticking noise coming from…
- 10135032Feb 1, 2018TICKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT AXLE WHEN CORNERING: The customer may complain of a metallic ticking noise from the front axle when cornering, maneuvering, parking or pulling away…
- 10135021Feb 1, 2018N63, N63TU, S63 and S63TU Engines: Oil Leak from the Rear: Customer complains that engine oil is leaking from the center of the vehicle. When verified, the engine oil residue can…
- 10142929Jan 1, 2018CRACKING NOISES FROM THE FRONT AXLE AREA WHILE TURNING THE WHEELS, WHEN STATIONARY OR PARKING: Cracking noises are heard from the front axle area while maneuvering at low speeds…
- 10146821Sep 1, 2016CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT AXLE This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI 31 01 12 dated June 2015. Clicking noises are heard from the front axle area while maneuvering at…
- 10151302May 1, 2016N63, N63TU, S63 and S63TU Engines: Oil Leak from the Rear of the Engine and Transmission Bell Housing. Customer complains that engine oil is leaking from the center of the…
- 10147762Oct 1, 2015N63 - Drivetrain Malfunction Warning with Quantity Control Valve Faults. The Drivetrain Malfunction message is displayed and any of the following faults for the quantity control…
- 10147241Sep 1, 2015Shudder from the Driveline on Vehicles with xDrive. There is a shudder or vibration from the driveline when taking off from a stop, or when accelerating at highway speeds. CAUSE…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2011 BMW 550I
32 complaintsElectrical system
20 complaintsFuel system
16 complaintsTires
12 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsWheels
6 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsBrakes
4 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