2007 Bmw 550I problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
37 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
72,100 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2007 model year. Data snapshot: . 29 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 37 complaints (21.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 6 | 16.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 13.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 5.4% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 5.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 8 |
| Exterior Lighting | 6 |
| Steering | 6 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Wheels | 4 |
| Tires | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
Air Bags: 8; Exterior Lighting: 6; Steering: 6; Engine: 5; Wheels: 4; Tires: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Electrical System: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 1
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 8 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 2 |
2006: 1; 2007: 2; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2010: 4; 2011: 4; 2012: 2; 2013: 4; 2014: 5; 2015: 1; 2016: 3; 2017: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 4; 2021: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10177510 · 2006-12-28 (December 28, 2006)
2007 550I BMW SEDAN JERKY TRANSMISSION***CC THE TRANSMISSION WOULD ACT ERRATIC AT ANYTIME. THE VEHICLE WOULD LURCH WHILE AT INTERSECTIONS AND STOP LIGHTS. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS WERE HIDDEN BY THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONSUMER HAD TO LOOK DOWN TO SEE IF THEY WERE FLASHING. *JB THE CONSUMER BROUGHT THE PROBLEM TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALER WHO CLAIMED THAT THIS WAS THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED. THE CONSUMER WAS SO DISAPPOINTED WITH THE WAY THE VEHICLE PERFORMED THAT HE TRADED IT IN AFTER 5 WEEKS AND 2800 MILE…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10177510 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10363988 · 2010-11-04 (November 4, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 550I SERIES. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INDICATING THAT THE WARNING HYDRAULIC STEERING MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE HE WAS TOLD THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE COMPUTERIZED STEERING COLUMN CHIP. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WOULD BE A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE AND HE SHOULD WAIT FOR THE RECALL NOTICE BEFORE THEY CAN REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND STATED THAT THEY KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THE RECALL AND OFFERED …
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10363988 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10904807 · 2016-09-08 (September 8, 2016)
EXPERIENCE "HIGHBEAM MALFUNCTION" WARNING LIGHT. INSPECTED THE HEADLAMPS (E60 ADAPTIVE XENON PART # 6312710157). THE DRIVER'S SIDE LOW-BEAM HALOGEN MELTED THROUGH REFLECTOR. INSPECTED WIRING AND THE SHEATHING / JACKET WERE DISINTEGRATING CAUSING SHORT CIRCUITING. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, THIS IS A RESULT OF BMW'S USE OF BIODEGRADABLE MATERIALS IN MID-200'S CARS. NOT ONLY IS THIS A FIRE HAZARD, THE ONLY REMEDY IS TO GET A NEW HEADLAMP SET (~$1300 EACH)
Owner-reported narrative. 105,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10904807 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10943728 · 2017-01-08 (January 8, 2017)
I PULLED MY BATTERY TO CHARGE IT AND NOW I'M GETTING A WHEEL LOCK ALARM WHICH WILL NOT ALLOW MY CAR TO START. IT IS IN MY DRIVE WAY SAME AS WHEN I LAST USED IT. IT RAN FINE PRIOR TO CHARGING MY BATTERY.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10943728 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10408438 · 2011-06-22 (June 22, 2011)
2007 BMW 550I, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ABOUT 48,000 MILES. AFTER A PERIOD OF HIGHWAY DRIVING, IF REVERSE IS SELECTED (E.G., IN A PARKING LOT, A U-TURN THAT REQUIRES BACKING UP), THE TRANSMISSION WILL GO INTO NEUTRAL FOR SEVERAL SECONDS RATHER THAN IMMEDIATELY ENGAGING. SCENARIO 1 (COMMON): PULLING INTO PARKING LOT AFTER 22 MINUTE HIGHWAY COMMUTE TO WORK. I START TO GO BY AN OPEN SPOT AND NEED TO ENGAGE REVERSE IN ORDER TO PULL IN. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE, BUT THE TRANSMISSION GOES INTO NEUTRAL. AFTER ABOUT 3-5 SECONDS, REVERSE FINALLY EN…
Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10408438 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10547553 · 2013-10-10 (October 10, 2013)
FIRST INCIDENT 10/08/13:BRAKE FAILURE AT LOW SPEED ON AN DESCENDING INCLINE (DRIVEWAY) PUMPED BRAKES RAPIDLY AND BRAKES HELD TRACTION. LATER THAT DAY 10/08/13 BRAKES FAILED ON LOW SPEED ON THE DESCENDING STREET. ON 10/09/13 WHEN DRIVING IN FREEWAY TRAFFIC, I AGAIN HAD TO SWERVE IN ORDER TO AVOID A REAR END COLLISION NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED, NO SERVICE LIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED AT ALL 3 INCIDENTS. ON 10/10/13, I TOOK THE CAR IN TO CHECK ON THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR'S MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER, BRAKE BOOSTER AND BRAKE VACUUM PUMP N…
Owner-reported narrative. 89,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10547553 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10551399 · 2013-11-07 (November 7, 2013)
BRAKE FAILURE AT LOW SPEED ON AN DESCENDING INCLINE (DRIVEWAY) PUMPED BRAKES RAPIDLY AND BRAKES HELD TRACTION. LATER THAT DAY 10/08/13 BRAKES FAILED ON LOW SPEED ON THE DESCENDING STREET. ON 10/09/13 WHEN DRIVING IN FREEWAY TRAFFIC, I AGAIN HAD TO SWERVE IN ORDER TO AVOID A REAR END COLLISION NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED, NO SERVICE LIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED AT ALL 3 INCIDENTS. ON 10/10/13, I TOOK THE CAR IN TO CHECK ON THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR'S MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER, BRAKE BOOSTER AND BRAKE VACUUM PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR A…
Owner-reported narrative. 89,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10551399 at NHTSA ↗