2011 BMW 550I Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 4%of 84 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 13,960miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the visibility of the 2011 BMW 550I, 4% of the 84 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 13,960 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 a back road about 40 MPH. No other cars and nothing but bushes around me. I heard a huge loud bang and my sunroof just abruptly shattered. I know nothing hit it and if it did it shouldn't have shattered like that. I read another vehicle on here, same model, year and mileage had the same issue! Recall this!”
NHTSA complaint #10556502, filed 2013-12, 13,960 miles“The contact owns a 2011 Bmw 550I. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the sun roof shattered and exploded. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was advised that the entire sun roof needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000 and the current mileage was 37,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10533656, filed 2013-08, 35,000 miles“The contact owns a 2011 Bmw 550I. The contact was driving 20 MPH when the sun-roof exploded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who repaired the sun-roof. There were no recalls for the failure. The contact stated that nothing had struck the vehicle to possibly cause any damage. The manufacturer was notified who offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 13,826 and the current mileage was 21,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10471505, filed 2012-08, 13,826 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- 10162435Jul 12, 2019Lane Change Warning Lamps on Side View Mirrors Are Too Dark. The lane change warning lamps (small and triangle-shaped) on the exterior door mirrors are too dark. This may occur…
- 10147019Aug 1, 2016WIND NOISE FROM KIDNEY GRILL. Wind noises/whistling noises from the front end of the vehicle or from the area of the front windshield. CAUSE Air passing through the gap between…
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 3 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2011 BMW 550I
32 complaintsElectrical system
20 complaintsFuel system
16 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
14 complaintsTires
12 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsWheels
6 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 BMW 550I
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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