2013 BMW 550I Problems
- Complaints
- 15filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 72,343miles, 11 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall, 4 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- 19 mpgcombined, 4.4L 8-cyl RWD · 16 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2013 BMW 550I (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2013 BMW 550I. The part named most often is engine, with 8 complaints (53% of the total), followed by fuel system (5) and transmission and drivetrain (3). 11 of the complaints include a mileage, and 27% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 72,343 miles. Of all complaints, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 434 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 78 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Fuel 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.
- Engine8 53%
- Fuel system5 33%
- Other or unknown2 13%
- Seats2 13%
- Brakes1 6.7%
- Electrical system1 6.7%
- Exterior lighting1 6.7%
- Suspension1 6.7%
- Tires1 6.7%
Also reported: Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Engine: “Takata recall I have a 2013 Bmw 550I xdrive m sport. It keeps on misfiring on cylinder number two and I have changed all 8 spark plugs and the injector for that cylinder. I also used octane booster and sea foam to clean the carbon out the fuel system. I don't know what else it could be if it's still misfiring on that cylinder. It starts up good and sometimes it starts up kind of hesitant. When I come to a complete stop after really going fast it starts to shake as I am stopped and when I go to take off it lurches sometimes. …”
NHTSA complaint #11163161, filed 2018-12, 65,000 milesFuel system: “The complaint is not a safety issue. It's a quality issue. Bmw's n63 engine is evidently not well engineered. They have a customer care package ' in place for those customers that complain to the service dept about their engines not running right. Bmw is very careful to make sure customers do not view the repair as a recall. That said the amount of work required is extensive (takes more than 1 week to complete). From what I've read online the fix they have in place does not always work. …”
NHTSA complaint #10692426, filed 2015-03, 28,039 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “Guibo flexible disc failed during routine pa inspection. Technician said it was cracked and failed the inspection. My vehicle only has 62000 miles on it and the cv joint failed. I believe their was a recall for 2011 and 2012 models for the same issue.I was charged more than 1000 dollars for the repair of the flexible disk at the dealership and had no choice but to fix it so it would pass state inspection. I did not want the drive axle to fall off the car. This is ridiculous for a car with such low mileage.”
NHTSA complaint #11395492, filed 2021-02, 62,127 milesOther or unknown: “After having my Bmw at the dealership for two weeks I had the low battery discharging message come on when I took the car home. The dealer also performed an oil change less than 1k miles prior to this problem. My battery died, luckily at exactly the time, I drove onto my driveway. The car just stopped. I'm just glad I wasn't on the highway or going faster speeds. I attempted to jump it and charge it but it wouldn't start. I had the car towed to the dealership and was told my engine had locked up and there were metal shavings in the oil filter and I need a new engine ($13,000). …”
NHTSA complaint #11327711, filed 2020-06, 72,343 milesMileage when problems were reported
27% of the 11 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 44,000 and 96,280 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2013 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.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 550I · sedan RWD | ★★★★★ | 4 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 9.3% risk |
| 550I GT · sedan RWD | ★★★★★ | 4 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 9.3% risk |
| 550I Xdrive · sedan AWD | ★★★★★ | 4 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 9.3% risk |
| 550I Xdrive GT · sedan AWD | ★★★★★ | 4 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 9.3% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2013 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.
Neighbouring years: 2012: same overall rating; 2014: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2013 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).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 550i RWD | 4.4L 8-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 17 | 25 | 20 | $4,100 |
| 550i RWD | 4.4L 8-cyl | 6-speed manual | 15 | 22 | 17 | $4,850 |
| 550i Gran Turismo RWD | 4.4L 8-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 16 | 24 | 19 | $4,350 |
| 550i xDrive AWD | 4.4L 8-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 16 | 24 | 19 | $4,350 |
| 550i xDrive Gran Turismo AWD | 4.4L 8-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 16 | 24 | 19 | $4,350 |
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
- 15V188000Mar 31, 2015Exterior lightingCovers: BMW 550I 2013–2014, 535I 2013–2014, M5 2013–2014 +6 more
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, and ActiveHybrid 5 vehicles. The rear reflex reflectors may not reflect enough light. As such, the vehicles fail to comply with the…
Recall details for the 2013 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. 434 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11028000Jan 21, 2026Engine. N63tu1 class action settlement svc campaign: oil consumption diagnosis/repair
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors), Electrical system. The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- 10249027Jan 11, 2024Electrical system. The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers…
- 10247567Dec 20, 2023Fuel system, Engine cooling. Engine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel module (TFE) whendiagnosing with ISTA. The following two fault codes will be stored in the DME: 032B43 - Low fuel…
- 10245422Nov 22, 2023Equipment, Electrical system. Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicleâÂÂs equipment and settings, no acoustic or optical confirmation…
- 10239605Jun 1, 2023Wheels. The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) warning light comes on while driving. The following DSC fault codes for the wheel speed sensors are stored: 480712 and/or 480715 and/or 480718 and/or 48071B They…
- 10238090May 1, 2023Electrical system. After programming the head unit (HU-H2), activating the FSC (German word Freischaltcode) Enabling Codes repeatedly fails.
- 10238062May 1, 2023Equipment. With the court's FINAL approval, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) has entered into a nationwide settlement with the plaintiffs in the following class action: Isley, et al. v. Bayerische Motoren…
- 10230717Dec 1, 2022Fuel system. For the eligible vehicles, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) is extending the limited warranty for the vehicle's Fuel Injectors to 10 years/120,000 miles as determined by the vehicle's original…
- 10230716Dec 1, 2022Equipment. With the court's FINAL approval, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) has entered into a nationwide settlement with the plaintiffs in the following class action: Isley, et al. v. Bayerische Motoren…
Other model years of the BMW 550I
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 6 | 44,000 | 0 | 5 | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 2014 | 6 | 47,000 | 2 | 5 | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 15 | 72,343 | 1 | 5 | 19 | — | Falling |
| 2012 | 36 | 59,287 | 2 | 5 | 18 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2011 | 84 | 54,000 | 3 | 5 | 20 | 95 · More | Falling |
| 2010 | 11 | 48,500 | 1 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 32 | 77,500 | 2 | — | 18 | 38 · Typical | Stable |
| 2007 | 37 | 72,100 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 23 | 100,000 | 3 | — | 16 | — | Stable |
All BMW 550I model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2013 BMW 550I have?
NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2013 BMW 550I as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2013 BMW 550I is reported most often?
Engine is named most often, in 8 complaints (53% of the total), followed by fuel system with 5.
Has the 2013 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.
How did the 2013 BMW 550I do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2013 BMW 550I 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 4 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2013 BMW 550I get?
The EPA rates the 2013 BMW 550I (550i Gran Turismo, 4.4L 8-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2013 BMW 550I reported?
Among the 11 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 72,343 miles and the middle half falls between 44,000 and 96,280 miles; 27% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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.