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2010 BMW 550I problems

The most common problem on the 2010 BMW 550I is engine and cooling. It has fewer complaints than a typical 550I model year.

Fewer complaintsAmong the best years of this model
Year score
81/100
Owner complaints
11
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
79
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
18mpg

The worst 2010 BMW 550I problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Engine
    4
  • Electrical
    3
  • Transmission
    3
  • Fuel system
    2
  • Wheels
    2

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Engine
    4
  • Electrical
    3
  • Transmission
    3
  • Fuel system
    2
  • Wheels
    2
  • Brakes
    1

Recalls 1

Exterior lighting: tail lightsReported September 11, 2013 · 134,100 vehicles affected
What is wrong
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 528i, 535i, 550i, and M5 passenger cars manufactured from March 1, 2007, through December 31, 2009. Over time, increased resistance at the taillight electrical contact points may cause damage to the ground terminal and housing of the connector resulting in an intermittent or permanent loss of functionality of one or more rear lamp functions (tail, brake, turn-signal, reverse).
Risk
Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear lamp bulb carriers free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1‑800‑525‑7417 or email BMW at [email protected].

Recall number 13V407000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2010 BMW 550I

Technical service bulletins for the 2010 BMW 550I 79

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 79 bulletins for the 2010 BMW 550I

2010 BMW 550I fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
4.8L 8‑cylRWD1522-2318

What 2010 BMW 550I owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Dec 19, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · IL · crash

I have been having issues , not sure what the problem is but the car doesn’t seem like it’s getting proper gas , & it shakes when I drive . I had to park it in the garage after having it towed home due to an unknown issue .

Filed Mar 10, 2022 · Engine · CA

On 11/10/21 I was advised by Long Beach BMW (Long Beach, CA) that my car needs a new engine. The car smells of gas (both when running and when sitting) and burns excessive amounts of oil. The car requires a quart of oil every 200 - 400 miles. The first engine was replaced after only 77,000 miles because the car was stalling unexpectedly. Now, the current engine needs to be replaced after only 51,000 miles because the car smells of gas (likely because the fuel injection system is not working properly) and because it is burning excessive amounts of oil. BMW expects me to cover the cost of a new engine even thought there is an obvious defect. I contacted BMW of North America and they offered to take the car back & give me $2000 toward a new car. There is currently a recall because of engines at risk of blowing up but for some reason, my car does not appear to be part of that recall. https://abcnews.go.com/amp/US/wireStory/bmw-recalls-vehicles-3rd-time-due-engine-fire-83338862 BMW has been notified of the defects with this car and has diagnosed the defective engine but refuses to replace the engine at their cost as part of the current recall. Instead, the car remains a hazard at risk of catching fire. BMW's negligence is placing me, my family & other travelers at risk of harm or death because they know of the problem & will not address it. This is the 2nd complaint that I've sent to the federal safety agency (the first on 9/13/21) and now there is a recall & so the federal safety agency is aware of the problem as well.

Filed Jul 27, 2018 · Transmission · 91,000 miles · CA

When driving freeway or street, transmission malfunctions causing it to drop into a low gear and reduce speed significantly. There is no maintenance schedule on the transmission. Unfortunately will need replacement at 8 yrs & 90k on odometer. Bmw should recall and fix.

Filed Jul 12, 2018 · NY

Letter from senator gillibrand on behalf of madeline singas, who is the district attorney of nassau county, seeking assistance with a double homicide investigation following a fatal car accident in her county; *ld *js

Filed Feb 25, 2018 · Wheels · 40,000 miles · CA

Wheel cracked - run flat tires would not hold air due to unexplained crack in wheel

Filed Sep 27, 2017 · Electrical, Fuel system · 70,000 miles · NJ

Purchased car two years ago and drivetrain malfunction continues to light continually comes on, vehicle begins to shake uncontrollably. I've had driven lexus vehicles for the prior 30 years and never spent so much time at the dealer trying to resolve the same problem or any mechanical / electrical problems. Switching to bmw within these past two years have literally interrupted my life, cost me time and money as this vehicle was in the repair shop (dealer) for more than 70 days within two years (dealer spent just as much time with the car as I). After all the repairs the faithful drivetrain malfunction enters my life yet again. Can you do something about this major component in this car. After purchasing for cash I thought I would not need to purchase another car for at least 5-6 or more years but once again I find myself having to now buy a reliable car. If I knew bmw vehicles were this much trouble, I would have saved an enormous amount of cash by financing instead expending that amount upfront only to find myself "living" at the dealership. Saddest part is your organization has a safety recall for this problem but only the 2011-12 bmw 550i gran turismos and I have the 2010. I guess "after" I pay for the repair then you will initiate a recall to include this year as well (same car as others, experiencing the exact same problem, but one year making the difference). Can you please help.

Filed Oct 12, 2016 · Electrical · 90,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 bmw 550i. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. Before the failure, the entire panel and all of the warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact did not feel safe driving the vehicle. The failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Oct 11, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 57,000 miles · DC

Lost of power while driving, 2 incident: bad vibrations while at a idle.

Filed Nov 6, 2013 · Engine · 15,000 miles · CA

From a very slow roll there is a delay in engine response of 1-2 seconds. There is also a delay in engine response in the 10-30 MPH range of the same length of time. The slow roll event can cause confusion to other drivers who believe you are yielding the right away when you do not accelerate in a timely manner going forward or making a turning movement. There is the possibility of an accident if a pedestrian, bicyclist or another car takes the delay as a sign that they have the right of way. The delayed engine response in the 10-30 MPH range is of great concern when attempting to merge onto a freeway from a short on-ramp in moderate traffic. The engine response delay is very pronounced under hard throttle and has caused heavy braking by cars unsure if I'm going to be at speed when merging.

Filed Jun 1, 2012 · Wheels · 20,120 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 bmw 550gt. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the tire pressure warning indicator alerted low tire pressure. The contact maneuvered to the side of the road to inspect the vehicle and then resumed operation. The vehicle was taken to a tire center where the technician informed the front passenger's side wheel exhibited two hairline cracks on the inner portion. The wheel was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 20,120.

Compare the 2010 BMW 550I

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Questions about the 2010 BMW 550I

Is the 2010 BMW 550I reliable?

Owners have filed 11 complaints about the 2010 BMW 550I, fewer than a typical 550I model year.

What is the 2010 BMW 550I year score?

The 2010 BMW 550I scores 81 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the BMW 550I: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2010 BMW 550I?

Engine and cooling, with 4 complaints. Next is electrical (3).

How many recalls does the 2010 BMW 550I have?

1 recall, covering exterior lighting.

What year does the BMW 550I have bad engine?

The BMW 550I model years with the most engine complaints are 2011 (34 complaints) and 2012 (14 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2010 BMW 550I get?

Official estimates for the 2010 BMW 550I range from 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.8L 8-cyl, RWD) gets 15 city and 22-23 highway.

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