2018 BMW M550I Problems
- Complaints
- 23filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 23,000miles, 4 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —no overall rating published
- EPA fuel economy
- 19 mpgcombined, 4.4L 8-cyl AWD · 16 city / 25 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2018 BMW M550I (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 2018 BMW M550I. The part named most often is air bags, with 10 complaints (43% of the total), followed by seat belts (6) and electrical system (4). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 23,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 285 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 8 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Seat belts complaints overlap with 2 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.
- Air bags10 43%
- Seat belts6 26%
- Electrical system4 17%
- Seats3 13%
- Engine2 8.7%
- Lane departure2 8.7%
- Other or unknown2 8.7%
- Body and structure2 8.7%
- Wheels2 8.7%
Also reported: Latches, locks and linkages (1), Steering (1), Tires (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “I’m getting a passenger restraint system malfunction message on my infotainment. Says: “Passenger restraint system limited. Increased risk of injury in case of a collision. Continue wearing safety belt.” This is the second time this has occurred on this specific vehicle. First time was in 2021 and was repaired. Now it came up again.”
NHTSA complaint #11680940, filed 2025-08Seat belts: “Passenger restraint system malfunction. I took it to the dealership and was told it will cost $3785.91 to replace the passenger seat mat. Looking online, this problem appears to be widespread with many individual car owners complaining of the issue. Given that this is a life safety system and its apparent prevalence, it seems appropriate to consider this for a mandatory recall.”
NHTSA complaint #11591343, filed 2024-05Electrical system: “On vacation road trip driving for about 3 hours. Instrument cluster completely shuts off and goes to black. Screen, vehit speed and rpm and all adas systems stop working. Sometimes turning the car off and on will address the issue other times it will constantly restart the instrument cluster when driving.”
NHTSA complaint #11495027, filed 2022-11Seats: “The passenger seat occupancy mat is faulty - same as in many other BMW models for which BMW has issued a 15 year warranty. The car chimes and states fasten safety belt for the passenger seat when the passenger seat is entirely empty. This error comes and goes, and stops when the belt is buckled.”
NHTSA complaint #11586141, filed 2024-04Mileage when problems were reported
100% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 20,000 and 26,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2018 BMW M550I 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M550i xDrive AWD | 4.4L 8-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 16 | 25 | 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
- 19V684000Sep 27, 2019Back over prevention › Sensing system › CameraCovers: BMW M550I 2018–2020, 530I 2018–2020, X3 2018–2020 +19 more
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li…
Recall details for the 2018 BMW M550I → · 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. 285 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11017101Apr 18, 2025Air bags, Electrical system. The Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) Front Passenger’s Seat Occupancy Capacitive Interior Sensor (CIS) Mat for defects in materials and/or workmanship that causes a false seat occupancy alert to…
- 10252031Mar 14, 2024Exterior lighting. One or more of the LED daytime running lights are dim or discolored.
- 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…
- 10244237Oct 13, 2023Brakes. Functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a stop. CAUSE Material-
- 10242698Aug 1, 2023Body and structure, Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). ?The sunroof will not operate in either direction.
- 10242694Aug 1, 2023Seats. ?The front seat will not calibrate/initialize, and the stored faults cannot be deleted.
- 10242691Aug 1, 2023Steering. ?Unusual noises occur only when operating the steering column in the axial direction.
- 10239614Jun 1, 2023Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). The air conditioning cycles from cold to warm air while driving or while at a stand still. The vent outlet temperatures vary by 25 degrees Fahrenheit or more (38 F to 60 F +) without changing any…
- 10239611Jun 1, 2023Electrical system, Exterior lighting. Headlight check control (CC) message 128 "High beam headlight failure" is displayed. The following fault codes are stored during a vehicle test: 80419A - Left high-beam headlight: Short circuit…
Other model years of the BMW M550I
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 23 | 23,000 | 1 | — | 19 | — | Rising |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2018 BMW M550I have?
NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 2018 BMW M550I as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2018 BMW M550I is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 10 complaints (43% of the total), followed by seat belts with 6.
Has the 2018 BMW M550I been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2018 BMW M550I get?
The EPA rates the 2018 BMW M550I (M550i xDrive, 4.4L 8-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 25 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 2018 BMW M550I reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 23,000 miles and the middle half falls between 20,000 and 26,000 miles; 100% 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. 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.