Problems · NHTSA complaints
2013 BMW 550I Xdrive problems
Owners filed 15 complaints about the 2013 BMW 550I Xdrive with NHTSA between Aug 2013 and Apr 2025. The most-cited component is engine (8).
Complaints
15
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine8
- Fuel/propulsion system4
- Power train3
- Seats2
- Exterior lighting1
- Fuel system, gasoline1
- Electrical system1
- Service brakes1
- Suspension1
- Tires1
- Wheels1
- Other / unknown2
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
2
0
1
0
1
3
2
1
1
2
1
0
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2025 | 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
Engine
8 reports
“The contact owned a 2013 BMW 550I. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The contact was able to coast into the driveway. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle and there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. No warning lights were illuminated prior to the failure; however, several unknown warning lights illuminated when the vehicle failed to restart. The contact's husband checked the vehicle and became aware of smoke coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the battery had failed and needed to be replaced. The battery was replaced. The contact insisted that the dealer check the vehicle again, and it was diagnosed and determined that there were metal fragments found in the oil pan. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The vehicle remained with the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.”
Fuel/propulsion system
4 reports
“AFTER HAVING MADE SEVERAL REPLACEMENTS TO PARTS (E.G. ALL THREE FUEL PUMPS) TO THIS VEHICLE OVER THREE, THE VEHICLE NOW REQUIRES A NEW ENGINE DUE TO THE FAILURE OF A ROD RING. THE ROOT CAUSE FOR THIS FAILURE REMAINS UNIDENTIFIED, HOWEVER BMW IS REFUSING TO IDENTIFY AND/OR ACCEPT ACCOUNTABILITY TO ADDRESS THIS FAILURE WHICH REQUIRES AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT (>$13000). ANY VEHICLE OF THIS AGE (~7 YEARS OLD) AND MILEAGE (~80,000 MI.) SHOULD NOT REQUIRE AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT. FORTUNATELY THIS ISSUE OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING ON URBAN ROADS AT SPEEDS LESS THAT 50 MPH. HAD THIS OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC FOR ME, MY LOVED ONES AND OTHERS. ADDITIONALLY EACH FAILURE (E.G. OF FUEL PUMPS AND ROD RING) HAS CAUSED ME TO INCREASINGLY QUESTION THE SAFETY RESULTING FROM BMW'S VEHICLES USING THESE COMPONENTS. AT THIS POINT IN THE ABSENCE OF A REMEDY FROM BMW I AM LEFT WITH NO CHOICE BY TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT AS I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING POSSIBLE WITH BMW.”
Power train
3 reports
“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.”
Seats
2 reports
“PULLED A NHTSA REPORT ON THIS VEHICLE AND SAW NOTHING DANGEREOUS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE UNTIL WE GOT IT INSPECTED. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ATHENS BMW IN ATHENS,GEORGIA AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD US THAT THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW THE VEHICLE MADE IT TO THEIR SHOP. THERE WERE OVER 30 BOLTS AND SCREWS MISSING FROM THE ENGINE AND IN THEIR WORDS, "THE ENGINE WAS RAISING UP LIKE A HEART BEATING OUT OF ITS CHEST." WE GOT A 2ND OPINION FROM, EURO AUTO PRO IN LILBURN, GEORGIA AND THEY CONFIRMED THE VEHICLE NEEDED VALVE SEALS AND THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN WRECKED IN THE FRONT. NEITHER WAS DISCLOSED TO US FROM THE NHTSA NOR THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. WE WERE TOLD BY ATHENS BMW THAT THIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN SOLD TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN THAT CONDITION. THE VEHICLE IS SITTING IN OUR DRIVEWAY. WE JUST PURCHASED IT ON DECEMBER 13, 2018. THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK.”
Exterior lighting
1 report
“Water resistant”
Fuel system, gasoline
1 report
“The contact owns a 2013 BMW 550i. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the warning message illuminated on the instrument panel stating, “Driving moderately and drive pit not available”. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the high-speed fuel pump on the passenger’s side was replaced but the failure continued. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the high-speed pressure sensor was replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 96,280.”
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.