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2012 BMW 550I problems

The most common problem on the 2012 BMW 550I is engine and cooling, typically around 60,000 miles. It has 2.4 times the complaints of a typical 550I model year.

Typical year2.4x the typical complaints
Year score
43/100
Owner complaints
36
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
388
Worst area
Engine
Crash rating
5/5
Fuel economy
17-18mpg

The worst 2012 BMW 550I problems

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

Problems by type

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

  • Engine
    14
  • Fuel system
    13
  • Tires
    8
  • Electrical
    4
  • Transmission
    4
  • Wheels
    4
  • Steering
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Brakes
    1
  • Lights
    1
  • Suspension
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2012 BMW 550I

Stalling 9Fuel pump 5

Recalls 2

Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/superchargerReported April 18, 2018 · 47,806 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 18V248000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pumpReported October 17, 2016 · 136,188 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 16V746000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 2012 BMW 550I

Technical service bulletins for the 2012 BMW 550I 388

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

See all 388 bulletins for the 2012 BMW 550I

2012 BMW 550I crash test ratings

Government 5-star crash tests. Higher is safer. Each row is a body style and drivetrain that was tested.

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
BMW 550 I 4 DR RWD5455
BMW 550 I GT 4 DR RWD5455
BMW 550 I Xdrive 4 DR AWD5455
BMW 550 I Xdrive GT 4 DR AWD5455

2012 BMW 550I fuel economy

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

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
4.4L 8‑cylRWD1522-2317-18

What 2012 BMW 550I owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 26, 2026 · Engine · GA

2012 BMW with the N63 twin-turbo V8 engine, excessive oil consumption

Filed Sep 2, 2023 · Acceleration, Engine · TX

I was driving when the vehicle engine randomly shut down with out warning I was on the freeway at the time and could have been hit by a car. I took thr car to an auto repair shop, had the problem inspected snddiagnosed and was told the engine was faulty. I had the engine replaced and the same issue occurred. There were no warning lamps, messages, or alerts prior to the problem occurring. The drivetrain malfunction light came on as soon as the engine cut off.

Filed Nov 30, 2021 · Engine · 60,000 miles · OK

The contact owns a 2012 BMW 550i. The contact stated after parking and exiting the vehicle, he noticed coolant leaking on the front driver’s side and saw white smoke exiting near the water pump. The contact stated the low coolant fluid and the drivetrain malfunction warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated the smoke disappeared on its own. The contact stated that he continued driving the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the water pump to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V248000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Filed Nov 17, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · TX

My car died in an intersection unexpectedly as if my battery had died. My infant was in the backseat. This was suck a busy intersection that police dept had to park behind me to keep me from being hit. The car could not be put in neutral to move it out of the way. After over an hour we were able to restart the car and excessive battery discharge message displayed. This is on top of me taking it to the dealership for excessive oil consumption and BMW was aware my motor would eventually give out.

Filed Jul 10, 2021 · Engine · FL

Engine is available for inspection upon request. Earlier this month, my 550i completely shut off at a traffic light. When attempting to restart the engine, the Starter strained very hard and smoke came out of the engine. Engine was immediately shut off and the car was towed to a local shop. In turn the shop replaced the Starter the following day and heard knocking from the engine once it turned it over. Upon examination the shop pulled open the oil filter and it was full of metal shrapnel. I feel fortunate the car was not in motion at the time of the failure, given the engine shut off with no warning this could have resulted in a catastrophic accident.

Filed Jun 23, 2021 · Fuel system · IL

2012 F10 had issues while running as car installed and stopped completely multiple times in traffic. Fuel supply sign came on. Diagnosed as low pressure fuel pump degraded and need replacement. Same recall took place for 2007-2011 5 series model as well via recall campaign No. 16v-746: In-Tank Fuel Pump. 2012 have same issue and very dangerous to drive on road when vehicle stalls and stops while driving in traffic

Filed Mar 4, 2021 · Engine, Fuel system · 58,200 miles · NH · fire

The high pressure fuel pump caused a fire in the engine compartment and totaled the car with less than 60k miles on it

Filed Sep 28, 2020 · Fuel system · 118,000 miles · AE

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 bmw 550i. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the drivetrain malfunction warning light appeared on the instrument panel. The contact also noticed that the warning light was illuminated upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact also stated that the vehicle hesitated when the failure occurred. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who replaced a singular coil and a spark plug. Two months later, the same failure recurred and the contact took the vehicle back to the independent mechanic where they replaced all the coils and spark plugs. Upon return of the vehicle, the contact was driving home and the vehicle shut-off without warning. The vehicle was towed back to the same independent mechanic. Upon further inspection of the vehicle, the mechanic determined that the oil pump timing chain was loosened and needed to be replaced. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v746000 (fuel system, gasoline) however, the vehicle was not included. The contact reached out to a dealer and was informed that a diagnostic needed to be performed to determine the cause of the failure. The contact declined the diagnostic test. The contact also emailed the manufacturer who informed him to take the vehicle to a local dealer for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

Filed Sep 27, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 89,000 miles · CA

Vehicle stops suddenly while driving

Filed May 26, 2020 · Fuel system, Transmission · 50,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 bmw 550i gran turismo. The contact stated that while her son was driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle loss power and stalled without warning. The vehicle was pulled to the side of the road and restarted. The vehicle jerked. The vehicle was taken to the classic bmw located at 6800 dallas pkwy, plano, tx 75024, (214) 778-2600, where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump and the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The contact was told that there was no recall. The manufacture was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

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Questions about the 2012 BMW 550I

Is the 2012 BMW 550I reliable?

Owners have filed 36 complaints about the 2012 BMW 550I, 2.4 times a typical 550I model year.

What is the 2012 BMW 550I year score?

The 2012 BMW 550I scores 43 out of 100 (below average). 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 2012 BMW 550I?

Engine and cooling, with 14 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles. Next is fuel system (13).

How many recalls does the 2012 BMW 550I have?

2 recalls, covering engine and engine cooling and fuel system, gasoline.

Is the 2012 BMW 550I safe in a crash?

In government crash tests the 2012 BMW 550I scored 5 out of 5 stars overall, depending on body style and drivetrain (4 versions tested).

What gas mileage does the 2012 BMW 550I get?

Official estimates for the 2012 BMW 550I range from 17 to 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.4L 8-cyl, RWD) gets 15 city and 22-23 highway.

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