What 172 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 BMW 550i

1. TICKING NOISE WHILE CORNERING WITHOUT THE BRAKES APPLIED: Ticking noise coming from front wheel while cornering without brakes applied, noticeable at low speeds. The vehicle must be moving. 2. CRACKING NOISES FROM THE FRONTAXLE AREA WHILE TURNING THE WHEELS, WHEN STATION: Cracking noises are heard from the front axle area while maneuvering at low speeds (e.g., parking lot maneuvers) or when turning the steering wheel while stationary. I am reporting safety issues that were never addressed by BMW North America, and for which I received no notification. Although I purchased my vehicle used, I registered it with BMW USA. The vehicle is out of warranty, but it is affected by the conditions described in SIB 34 05 17 and SIB 31 01 12. BMW USA is refusing to correct these defects, despite their clear safety implications. I was never informed of these issues by BMW USA.

NHTSA ODI 11714732

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)

NHTSA ODI 11695616

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 550I. The contact stated that oil was leaking from the vehicle. The engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who declined to service the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that there was no warranty coverage on the vehicle. No additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 11636463

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.

NHTSA ODI 11583551

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.

NHTSA ODI 11564024

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.

NHTSA ODI 11542593

I purchased this car from a used dealer ship, drove it for less than a month. Then it started misfiring. I paid the car off in cash so I decided to change all of the coils and spark plugs so I did that outta my own pocket also. They put an insert inside of my 2nd spark plug so I need up getting it out and it wasn’t even a spark plug to my car. I was driving and it locked up the engine on me. I have a free engine replacement on this car right ? Any recalls that can fix this problem for me

NHTSA ODI 11515017

The contact owns a 2011 BMW 5 Series. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed as a camshaft failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number- 14V176000 ( Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11512985

I started my car to drive to an appointment and noticed that the car was jerking/bucking as I pulled out of my driveway onto the main road. I was unable to accelerate appropriately for oncoming traffic behind me because the car was jerking violently and it was a bit scary since this had not happened before. This continued for several days, primarily when I would attempt to drive the car in the morning. On one occasion the drive train malfunction light illuminated as I was making my way to an appointment at the Veterans Administration and I had to gingerly turn the car around and head back home. Someone could have ran into me because the car didn't have much power. What followed next was the inability to get my car to move when it was placed in reverse. I took the car to the dealership and was told that the car's transmission needs to be replaced ($11,000) because the car is trying to drive in reverse and first gear at the same time. What?!! In over 20 years of servicing BMW's, they have never seen a situation like this. I don't believe I should bear the cost for this when I bought a pretty expensive car in good faith, which has only 80,000 miles.

NHTSA ODI 11477624

DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION COMES ON DASH, DUE TO TIMING CHAIN BEING OUT OF "TIME" MEANING THAT THE CRANSHAFT AND CHAIN HAS MOVE OUT OF PLACE, THIS REPAIR IS ESTIMATED TO COST ABOUT 10K, OTHER VEHICLES OF THE THIS TYPE ARE ALSO INCLUDED, THE RECALL FROM BMW IS CALL THE "N63 CUSTOMER SERVICE PACKET", N63 IS THE KIND OF ENGINE THAT THIS CAR AND OTHER IN SIMILAR SERIES AND YEARS ARE KNOWN AND INNEVIDATABLE TO PREVENT SINCE ITS A MANUFACTURER MISTAKE. I PERSONALLY LOST OUT ON A LOT OF MONEY DUE TO THE PROBLEM THAT LANDED IN MY HANDS.

NHTSA ODI 11454313

light assembly has became compromised with moisture , casued a total light failure ! repair cost is $4000.00

NHTSA ODI 11423634

BMW SAID THEY REPLACED THE STEM SEAL OR VALVE SEAL AROUND 50K MILES I GOT THE CAR AROUND 69K MILE AND AFTER IT HIT 90K MILE I STARTED TO SEE SOME SMOKE I REALLY DIDNT PAY ATTENTION UNTIL ONE DAY I WAS COIMING OUT OF MY HOUSE THEN THAT'S WHEN I SEEN THE BLUISH SMOKE I CALLED BMW AND SAID IF THE SHOP THAT DID THE WORK REALLY REPLACED THE SEAL CAUSE IF THEY DID AND FOR IT TO SMOKE AGAIN THE CAR HAS NOW 143K MILES AND I CAN'T SMOG IT CAUSE OF THE SMOKE IT WON'T PASS SMOG CHECK HERE IN CALIFORNIA

NHTSA ODI 11399205

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.

NHTSA ODI 11396947

THE CAR JUST DON'T GO THE SPEED IS SUPPOSED TO I CAN'T GO IN HIGHWAY BECAUSE THE CAR DON'T GO THAT FAST AND THAT IS NOT SAFE FOR ME AND MY FAMILY I SPENT A LOT OF MONEY TRYING TO FIX IT BUT THE PROBLEM ALWAYS COME BACK

NHTSA ODI 11386561

COMES UP DAYS DRIVER RESTRAINT MALFUNTION

NHTSA ODI 11361034

I AM HAVING OIL COME FROM MY OIL PAN WHICH I LATER FOUND OUT THAT IT COULD POSSIBLY BE COMING FROM MY OIL PAN GASKET WHICH SOME PEOPLE HAVE TOLD ME THERE WERE RECALLS ON THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM

NHTSA ODI 11359840

THIS CAR HAVE BEEN N GREAT MAINTENANCE ALWAYS, AND SUDDENLY STARTED TO THROW WHITE SMOKE AS CRAZY... (75K MILES ONLY) I DID MY SEARCH AND TURNS OUT THAT IS A BIG PROBLEM THAT MANY BMW V8 ENGINE THAT THEY HAVE .... BIG HEADACHE TO SEE THIS KIND OF LUXURY CAR SMOKING LIKE THAT

NHTSA ODI 11351181

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 550I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE SERVICED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AUXILIARY WATER PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR SIMILAR VEHICLES HOWEVER, THE VIN SHOWED NO OPEN RECALLS. FIELDS BMW LAKELAND (4285 LAKELAND PARK DR, LAKELAND, FL 33809) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE NHTSA.GOV WEBSITE. THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V248000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ODI 11341699

I OWN MY BMW 550I GRAN TURISMO SEDAN 2011 F10(N63). THERE IS A RECALL ON MY EXACT MODEL. NHTSA NUMBER: 18V248000/ ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. I AM HAVING THE SAME EXACT ISSUES THAT THE RECALL SHOWS. I HAVE PROOF OF DOCUMENTS SHOWING MY WATER PUMP FAILING, GETTING SERVICE WATER PUMP AND ALTERNATOR REPAIR. AUGUST 24, 2019 SHOWS SMALL EVAPORATIONS LEAK, CYLINDER MISFIRES AND HAS BAD HEAD GASKET. WATER PUMP FAILURE CAUSED MY ENGINE TO OVER HEAT AND BAD HEAD GASKETS.I ALSO HAD SIMILAR PROBLEM AS OTHER CUSTOMERS WITH THE TURBO COOLANT HOSES, MY HOSES CRACKED LIKE GLASS, EJECTING COOLANT ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND ALTERNATOR, WHICH CAUSED SMOKE REALLY BAD ALMOST LEADING TO AN CAR CRASH BECAUSE I COULDN'T SEE ON THE HIGHWAY, WHEN I PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE ALTERNATOR WAS BURNING UP. I HAVE CONTACTED MANUFACTURER BMW OF NORTH AMERICA AND MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST AND I HAVE THE SAME EXACT ENGINE THAT IS RECALLED(N63/F10) I AM NEEDING MY CAR ADDED TO THE RECALL LIST, THIS MISTAKE NEARLY COST ME AND MY FAMILY LIFE. APRIL 12TH, THE CAR WAS IN MOTION, IN KANSAS CITY,MO ON THE HIGHWAY 435, BIG CLOUDS OF WHITE SMOKE, ENGINE LOSS POWER, CAUSING A CAR TO ALMOST CRASH INTO THE REAR OF THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11325399

I OWN MY BMW 550I GRAN TURISMO SEDAN 2011 F10(N63). THERE IS A RECALL ON MY EXACT MODEL. NHTSA NUMBER: 18V248000/ ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. I AM HAVING THE SAME EXACT ISSUES THAT THE RECALL SHOWS. I HAVE PROOF OF DOCUMENTS SHOWING MY WATER PUMP FAILING, GETTING SERVICE WATER PUMP AND ALTERNATOR REPAIR. AUGUST 24, 2019 SHOWS SMALL EVAPORATIONS LEAK, CYLINDER MISFIRES AND HAS BAD HEAD GASKET. WATER PUMP FAILURE CAUSED MY ENGINE TO OVER HEAT AND BAD HEAD GASKETS.I ALSO HAD SIMILAR PROBLEM AS OTHER CUSTOMERS WITH THE TURBO COOLANT HOSES, MY HOSES CRACKED LIKE GLASS, EJECTING COOLANT ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND ALTERNATOR, WHICH CAUSED SMOKE REALLY BAD ALMOST LEADING TO AN CAR CRASH BECAUSE I COULDN'T SEE ON THE HIGHWAY, WHEN I PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THE ALTERNATOR WAS BURNING UP. I HAVE CONTACTED MANUFACTURER BMW OF NORTH AMERICA AND MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST AND I HAVE THE SAME EXACT ENGINE THAT IS RECALLED(N63/F10) I AM NEEDING MY CAR ADDED TO THE RECALL LIST, THIS MISTAKE NEARLY COST ME AND MY FAMILY LIFE. APRIL 12TH, THE CAR WAS IN MOTION, IN KANSAS CITY,MO ON THE HIGHWAY 435, BIG CLOUDS OF WHITE SMOKE, ENGINE LOSS POWER, CAUSING A CAR TO ALMOST CRASH INTO THE REAR OF THE CAR. I AM NOW LOCATED IN KANSAS CITY, MO. I CAN BE CONTACTED BY EMAIL: [XXX] OR CELL: [XXX] REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC

NHTSA ODI 11322775

BOTH OF MY LOCK ACTUATORS DRIVER AND PASSENGER FAILED AT THE SAME TIME. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN. ALSO THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WHEN BMW!

NHTSA ODI 11306173

ENGINE INFORMATION CENTER SAYS TO ADD OIL, IN BETWEEN OIL CHANGES, NUMEROUS TIMES. CAR SHUT DOWN ON ROAD AND WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. DEALER SAYS THE ENGINE HAS SEIZED. SINCE THE VEHICLE IS JUST OVER THE WARRANTY BY MILES, PAX 500 MILES, I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CAR ONLY HAS JUST OVER 50K MILES. IT WAS PURCHASED WITH 40K MILES ON IT BUT WAS PURCHASED FROM A DEALER NOT BMW. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE?

NHTSA ODI 11289852

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.

NHTSA ODI 11256973

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/

NHTSA ODI 11254334

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 TO PICK UP MY VEHICLE FROM THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11241522