VehicleVerdict

2012 BMW 550i problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 53 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.5 times the median 550i year — the 2012 model ranks #2 of 12 550i years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 14 reports (26% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

53

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2012 compare to other 550i years?

550i NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted144 complaints2006: 30 complaints2007: 48 complaints2008: 49 complaints2009: 2 complaints2010: 17 complaints2011: 144 complaints2012: 53 complaints2013: 26 complaints2014: 6 complaints2015: 9 complaints2016: 2 complaints2017: 0 complaints
550i NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 550i years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 BMW 550i problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine1426%
Fuel System1325%
Tires & Wheels1223%
Transmission48%
Electrical System48%
Steering24%
Speed Control12%
Lighting12%
Brakes12%
Suspension12%

Does the 2012 BMW 550i have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

18V248000EngineApril 18, 2018 · 47,806 units

Defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.

Consequence

If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.

16V746000Fuel SystemOctober 17, 2016 · 136,188 units

Defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 BMW X5 3.0si, X5 4.8i, X5 M, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i and X5 xDrive50i, 2008-2011 X6 x Drive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 535i xDrive Gran Turismo, 535i Gran Turismo, 550i xDrive Gran Turismo and 550i Gran Turismo, 2011-2012 528i, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i and 550i xDrive and 2012 535i ActiveHybrid, 640i Convertible, 650i Convertible, 650i xDrive Convertible, 650i Coupe and 650i Coupe xDrive vehicles. The affected vehicles have in-tank fuel pumps that may have insufficiently crimped wire contacts.

Consequence

The loose wires may cause the connector to melt, resulting in a fuel leak. Additionally, the fuel pump may stop working, possibly causing an engine stall and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“SON WAS DRIVING CAR AND CAR JUST SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT ANY WARNING. CAR WAS TOWED TO BMW DEALERSHIP AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE $3000 TO TEAR DOWN ENGINE TO SEE WHY ENGINE LOCKED UP. CAR WAS BOUGHT 31 MAY 2019 AND SHUT DOWN AFTER DRIVING A LITTLE OVER 3,000 MILES 12 OCTOBER 2019.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 12, 2019

“WHEN YOU FIRST TURN THE CAR ON IT SOUNDS VERY LOUD FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES (LOUDER THAN NORMAL). WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE CAR WILL START SHAKING AND THE CAR COMPUTER POPS UP SAYING DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION AND YOU HAVE TO PULL OVER TO RESTART. HESITATE BEOFRE TAKING OFF AT A RED LIGHT OR WHEN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · April 8, 2020

“FRONT TIRE BULDGE AFTER DRIVING OVER A RECESSED MAN WHOLE COVER-THIS IS THE 3RD TIRE I REPLACED . THE TIRES ARE GOODYEAR 245/40 R19 EAGLE RUN FLATS THESE TIRES ARE DANGEROUS , THEY ARE NOT SAFE. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · August 24, 2012

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 550I. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE A SHORT DISTANCE, THE CONTACT FELT EXTREME HEAT COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND SMELLED BURNING WIRES. ORANGE COUNTY BMW (101 MAHER LN, HARRIMAN, NY 10926, [PHONE]) STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 24, 2019

“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.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 24, 2019

2012 BMW 550i — common questions

Is the 2012 BMW 550i reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 53 complaints put the 2012 model at #2 of 12 550i years. It is one of the 550i years to avoid.

What are the most common 2012 550i problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (14 complaints), fuel system (13 complaints), tires & wheels (12 complaints).

Does the 2012 BMW 550i have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 BMW 550i. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which BMW 550i years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 550i years to avoid are 2011, 2012, 2008, 2007, 2015, 2014, 2016, 2017. The cleanest record among 550i years belongs to 2009.

How safe is the 2012 BMW 550i?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2012 BMW 550i earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.