2011 BMW 550I electrical problems

Filed Oct 25, 2025 · Body, Electrical · TX · fire

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] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 17, 2024 · Electrical, Transmission · MD

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.

Filed Jan 7, 2024 · Electrical · OK · fire

Vehicle was parked while running errands, returned to leave and it would not start. Went to trunk to check battery connection and found that the positive battery cable had burnt in two where it connects to cable that runs to the engine compartment. Carpet cover and sound deadening coating had burnt and cable fell through trunk floor on top of gas tank. Car was towed and insurance refused to replace what caused fire, only what burnt from source ie. carpet cover and floor but not wiring. BMW dealer reports they don’t know what caused cable to overheat.

Filed Feb 19, 2021 · Electrical, Lights · 99,000 miles · NJ

Door opening defect. The driver side door would lock and not open from inside and outside posing a serious safety hazard as one cannot get out of vehicle in emergency. This is noted when vehicle is in stationary or parked position.

Filed Sep 21, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 125,000 miles · CA

This car has been in the shop many times since I purchased it in 2014. First, it was unknown issues that resulted in the injectors, spark plugs, and battery being replaced. That did not fix the problem and it went back to them several more times before they eventually brought an engineer in that determined that it was a stretched timing chain. This resulted in a new timing chain and all parts associated at 60,000 miles. Since then we have had recall work a couple of times. We have had to have turbo coolant lines replaced and we had to have a new water pump put in at 80,000 miles because ours apparently fell apart. The car needs a quart of oil every 500-700 miles (this has been an issue since the beginning but it has progressively gotten worse) and the newest problem is that it threw a drivetrain malfunction error driving up a hill. This error is related to a complete lack of compression in cylinder 3. The car has 125,000 miles. This car should have been bought back as a lemon but bmw always has some excuse.

Filed Sep 10, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 110,000 miles · CA · fire

On july 19, 2019, I drove my car 2.5 miles from my office and parked the car at my residence. The car was parked overnight and next day the car failed to start. When the hood was open the engine was on fire overnight while the car was parked, lucky the fire was self contained and did not spread to nearby homes. I contacted mr. Mike discepolo with bmw north america and after 30 days of investigation he told me that the fire was because I failed to maintain my car, I searched the net and his answer was consistent with answers to other bmw cars that start fire while parked. Abc nightline and other tv stations investigated parked bmw cars fire and bmw deny the problem. See attached https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=us56c7yqayy https://www.10news.com/news/team-10/san-diego-bmw-owners-say-their-used-bmws-suddenly-caught-fire https://abc7chicago.com/automotive/bmw-car-fires-more-fires-reported-in-parked-cars-while-engines-off/5121834/

Filed Aug 1, 2019 · Airbags, Electrical · GA

Since jan 2014 the fuel injectors failed and replaced 2 times and the veh is currently at the position of crtiz bmw dealership in ga since feb 12/2015 to replace the fuel injectors for the 3rd time and also to repair the seat belt malf on the front passenger side that were failed to work since feb of 2014. On feb of 2014 I have reached out to critz bmw service department and explained the issue to [xxx] and also contacted bmw in june of 2014 to cust care individuals and [xxx], [xxx]the customer relation mgr many times from over 6 months about the seat belt malf safety issue since then to have this issue fixed but I was told that bmw couldn't duplicate or repair the seat belt. 3 passengers including my wife were at risk and saw the light for seat belt malf warning light turned on in this veh while setting on the front passenger seat and I also have photos dated since feb 2014. The warning indicated that the air bag won't deploy in case of any accident and I had to stop the veh while driving on the highway for the passenger's safety and I also contacted bmw emergency assistance and I was told to take the vehicle to the dealership for inspections. [xxx] at critz bmw mentioned that the service dept and bmw are aware of the issue with the seat belt and that they are in contact to replace the seat mat on the passenger side and that there is an issue with the sensor. I was offered by bmw to trade this vehicle and I told [xxx] that I will not trade this vehicle until its fixed since I don't want to put someone's life in danger due to the seat belt issue that bmw couldn't fix and I told them that they can simply repurchase, replace or repair this vehicle. On march 12/2015 [xxx] told me over the phone that the bmw couldn't duplicate or repair the seat belt malfunction on the passenger side seat. I told [xxx] over the phone that I will not risk the life of my wife or any other person driving this vehicle. Bmw simply told me that they couldn't do anything else about it and that they will be closing my case. I was told by bmw

Filed Jan 27, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 42,000 miles · VA

During driving on the street, I started to smell like toxic burning like rubber and/or antifreeze burning and when I stop at home I could see little steam coming from the hood area and also oil leak at the bottom of the engine-transmission region. I stopped driving the car now.

Filed Oct 24, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 55,000 miles · IL · fire

This vehicle has had multiple recalls. The latest one was campaign no. 18v‑248. Bmw has yet to do anything for my vehicle, even after it burnt itself to the ground and a portion of my home. They did not add any explanation or attempt to investigate this situation. It is still undefined how this vehicle lit itself on fire as it was parked and turned off sitting in my garage, after just being driven 5-10 minutes before the fire started.

Filed Aug 22, 2018 · Body, Electrical · 137,000 miles · OR · fire

Vehicle stationary for over 3 hours, parked in a parking lot (work location) and burst into flames under the engine compartment. 8-22-18; 12:30 pm. Beaverton, oregon fire department responded and put fire out. See fire department report