2011 BMW 550I: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Sep 5, 2023 · Engine · 77,500 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 550I. The contact stated that after having an oil change performed, he noticed white smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a stem valve cover failure. The contact was informed that the valve cover needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,500.

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 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

Filed May 11, 2017 · Engine, Fuel system · 50,000 miles · TX · fire

The 2011 bmw 550i had just recently been parked and turned off. After no more than 10 minutes after it was parked, it burst into flames coming from the engine compartment on the passenger side. Then very quickly spread throughout the entire car. The car was parked in an attached garage thus not only completely burning the car to the ground but also partially burning the home down as well. Resulting in over $250,000 in damage. This vehicle had one of the n63 engines in it which bmw had three volunteer recalls to "correct" the fuel injector issue. 5 months prior to the fire, a certified bmw dealership executed the third attempt at this recall. This bmw was also under a full coverage maintenance warranty, thus it had only been to certified bmw service centers. During the last recall under campaign 0013480200 sib 11 16 14 in conjunction with sib 11 06 14 and 61 30 14, the oil life mileage was reduced from 15,000 miles to 10,000 miles with the bmw service center explaining that was part of the campaign bmw na requested to service the vehicles more frequently. When I asked the bmw representative about this specifically at the fire investigation he said it was due to "epa requirements". Had nothing to do with the known engine issues that bmw has been attempting to address since 2013.

Filed Feb 27, 2014 · Electrical · 43,200 miles · FL · fire

My 2011 bmw 550igt driven for 43200 miles was parked in my driveway with ignition turned off (for at least 45 minutes). Noticed smoke coming out from the trunk, where the battery is located.