2012 BMW 550I Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 11%of 36 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 BMW 550I, 11% of the 36 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,000 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.
“While driving on highway a pop sound happen and car started to drive and shacking occurred and shifting of gears was erratic. Transfer case failed made very difficult to get out of way of traffic bit of stall and hesitation.”
NHTSA complaint #11277847, filed 2019-11, 93,339 miles“My car died in an intersection unexpectedly as if my battery had died. My infant was in the backseat. This was suck a busy intersection that police dept had to park behind me to keep me from being hit. The car could not be put in neutral to move it out of the way. After over an hour we were able to restart the car and excessive battery discharge message displayed. This is on top of me taking it to the dealership for excessive oil consumption and BMW was aware my motor would eventually give out.”
NHTSA complaint #11440813, filed 2021-11“The contact owns a 2012 Bmw 550I. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact also stated that on various occasion, the steering wheel vibrated uncontrollably without warning when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact also stated that there was a clicking sound coming from the vehicle during the steering failure. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11322413, filed 2020-04, 85,000 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 2012 BMW 550I
14 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsTires
8 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsWheels
4 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 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