Problems · NHTSA complaints
2011 BMW 550I Xdrive problems
Owners filed 169 complaints about the 2011 BMW 550I Xdrive with NHTSA between Jul 2010 and Jan 2026. The most-cited component is tires (43).
Complaints
169
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
13
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Tires43
- Engine37
- Electrical system26
- Power train25
- Steering23
- Fuel/propulsion system15
- Wheels10
- Engine and engine cooling8
- Vehicle speed control7
- Air bags6
- Seat belts5
- Structure4
- Electronic stability control (esc)4
- Fuel system, gasoline4
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 31, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
16
42
13
12
11
14
6
10
13
11
7
4
2
3
2
2
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 16 |
| 2011 | 42 |
| 2012 | 13 |
| 2013 | 12 |
| 2014 | 11 |
| 2015 | 14 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 10 |
| 2018 | 13 |
| 2019 | 11 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Tires
43 reports
“I WAS DRIVING MY 2011 BMW 550X M SPORT ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE IN JULY 2014 WHEN TWO BUBBLES STARTED TO FORM ON THE GOODYEAR LS-2 245/40R19 FRONT LEFT TIRE. GIVEN I ONLY HAD 70 MILES TO MY DESTINATION I CONTINUED AT THE 65 MPH. WELL, NEEDLESS TO SAY, AS I EXITED THE TURNPIKE THE FRONT LEFT TIRE FAILED. LOST ALL PRESSURE. THIS WASN'T EVEN THE TIRE I THOUGHT MIGHT FAIL. I WAS FORCED TO DRIVE 30 MILES ON THE HIGHWAY ON TWO DANGEROUS TIRES SO I COULD GET TO A SAFE PLACE TO CALL FOR A TOW. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP 70 MILES AWAY. THESE WERE NEWLY REPLACED TIRES WITH ABOUT 5K MILES ON THEM. I'M ATTEMPTING TO GET THE TIRES REPLACED AT NO COST EVEN GIVEN THE UNSAFE TIRE RESULTS BUT IT'S MY ONLY OPTION AT THIS POINT GIVEN MY LOCATION. THE DEALER IS TRYING TO CHARGE FULL PRICE FOR THE REPLACEMENT TIRES. I FIND THIS UNACCEPTABLE. *TR”
Engine
37 reports6 fires
“My 2011 BMW 550i experienced an unexpected fire in my driveway while my wife and I were sleeping. The fire nearly caused our house to catch fire and also resulted in damage to my BMW Z4. I would appreciate the opportunity to speak with someone regarding this matter. For your reference, the last seven digits of my VIN are [XXX] . You can reach me at [XXX] or via email at [XXX] .”
Electrical system
26 reports1 crash10 fires
“Vehicle displays Transmission Malfunction & DSC and xDrive malfunction, this vehicle is available upon request for inspection. Currently been to two dealerships and all I got from the first dealership is to replace transmission at 59k mile. I purchased a used transmission same problem exist in the replacement transmission. As I was driving on highway, the transmission began displaying message above and caused the vehicle suddenly slow down without warning lights causing me to avoid an accident by pulling over to avoid being rear ended. The problem has been reproduced by dealer: tech and service advisors manager( authorized to drive) and he charge me for a tow even after I mention to him I have AAA if he needs it. Service manager stated that it may need the mechatronics unit which $4k for part but they’re unsure because they didn’t take it apart but it’s a known issue. They mention that it’s a known problem for the TCM (mechatronic valve throttle body control module to go bad). Manufacturer has not inspected vehicle. So currently it’s at BMW of Owings Mills get a second opinion.”
Power train
25 reports1 crash
“I started my car to drive to an appointment and noticed that the car was jerking/bucking as I pulled out of my driveway onto the main road. I was unable to accelerate appropriately for oncoming traffic behind me because the car was jerking violently and it was a bit scary since this had not happened before. This continued for several days, primarily when I would attempt to drive the car in the morning. On one occasion the drive train malfunction light illuminated as I was making my way to an appointment at the Veterans Administration and I had to gingerly turn the car around and head back home. Someone could have ran into me because the car didn't have much power. What followed next was the inability to get my car to move when it was placed in reverse. I took the car to the dealership and was told that the car's transmission needs to be replaced ($11,000) because the car is trying to drive in reverse and first gear at the same time. What?!! In over 20 years of servicing BMW's, they have never seen a situation like this. I don't believe I should bear the cost for this when I bought a pretty expensive car in good faith, which has only 80,000 miles.”
Steering
23 reports1 crash
“THIS CAR HAVE BEEN N GREAT MAINTENANCE ALWAYS, AND SUDDENLY STARTED TO THROW WHITE SMOKE AS CRAZY... (75K MILES ONLY) I DID MY SEARCH AND TURNS OUT THAT IS A BIG PROBLEM THAT MANY BMW V8 ENGINE THAT THEY HAVE .... BIG HEADACHE TO SEE THIS KIND OF LUXURY CAR SMOKING LIKE THAT”
Fuel/propulsion system
15 reports4 fires
“I RECEIVED A CARD IN THE MAIL FROM BMW OF NORTH AMERICA INFORMING ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP OF MY 2011 BMW 550I. WHEN WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP IN AMARILLO TEXAS, AUTOPLEX BMW, WE WERE TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER [XXX] THAT WE ARE WELCOME TO BUY NEW CARS FROM THEM BUT THEY WILL NO LONGER HONER WARRANTY OR RECALL WORK FOR ANYONE WITH THE LAST NAME [XXX] OR WHO IS RELATED TO OR AFFILIATED WITH [XXX] IS THERE ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN GIVE WITH THIS MATTER? [XXX] *TT *TR”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 31, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.