2010 Bmw 550I problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
48,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2010 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 11 complaints (36.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 2 | 18.2% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 18.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 9.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 9.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Wheels | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
Engine: 4; Electrical System: 3; Power Train: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Wheels: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 3 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 |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2010: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 3; 2022: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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 10915638 · 2016-10-12 (October 12, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 550I. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. BEFORE THE FAILURE, THE ENTIRE PANEL AND ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10915638 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11456105 · 2022-03-10 (March 10, 2022)
On 11/10/21 I was advised by Long Beach BMW (Long Beach, CA) that my car needs a new engine. The car smells of gas (both when running and when sitting) and burns excessive amounts of oil. The car requires a quart of oil every 200 - 400 miles. The first engine was replaced after only 77,000 miles because the car was stalling unexpectedly. Now, the current engine needs to be replaced after only 51,000 miles because the car smells of gas (likely because the fuel injection system is not working properly) and because it is burning excessive amou…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11456105 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10311334 · 2010-02-17 (February 17, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW 550I. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A SQUEAKY NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE WEEKS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS AT LEAST THREE TIMES. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE SERVICE REPAIRS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE MALFUNCTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED IN WHICH THERE WAS NO ASSISTANCE PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,137.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,137 miles reported. Look up ODI 10311334 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10551165 · 2013-11-06 (November 6, 2013)
FROM A VERY SLOW ROLL THERE IS A DELAY IN ENGINE RESPONSE OF 1-2 SECONDS. THERE IS ALSO A DELAY IN ENGINE RESPONSE IN THE 10-30 MPH RANGE OF THE SAME LENGTH OF TIME. THE SLOW ROLL EVENT CAN CAUSE CONFUSION TO OTHER DRIVERS WHO BELIEVE YOU ARE YIELDING THE RIGHT AWAY WHEN YOU DO NOT ACCELERATE IN A TIMELY MANNER GOING FORWARD OR MAKING A TURNING MOVEMENT. THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ACCIDENT IF A PEDESTRIAN, BICYCLIST OR ANOTHER CAR TAKES THE DELAY AS A SIGN THAT THEY HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY. THE DELAYED ENGINE RESPONSE IN THE 10-30 MPH RA…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10551165 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11114176 · 2018-07-27 (July 27, 2018)
WHEN DRIVING FREEWAY OR STREET, TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONS CAUSING IT TO DROP INTO A LOW GEAR AND REDUCE SPEED SIGNIFICANTLY. THERE IS NO MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE ON THE TRANSMISSION. UNFORTUNATELY WILL NEED REPLACEMENT AT 8 YRS & 90K ON ODOMETER. BMW SHOULD RECALL AND FIX.
Owner-reported narrative. 91,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11114176 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11030089 · 2017-09-27 (September 27, 2017)
PURCHASED CAR TWO YEARS AGO AND DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION CONTINUES TO LIGHT CONTINUALLY COMES ON, VEHICLE BEGINS TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. I'VE HAD DRIVEN LEXUS VEHICLES FOR THE PRIOR 30 YEARS AND NEVER SPENT SO MUCH TIME AT THE DEALER TRYING TO RESOLVE THE SAME PROBLEM OR ANY MECHANICAL / ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. SWITCHING TO BMW WITHIN THESE PAST TWO YEARS HAVE LITERALLY INTERRUPTED MY LIFE, COST ME TIME AND MONEY AS THIS VEHICLE WAS IN THE REPAIR SHOP (DEALER) FOR MORE THAN 70 DAYS WITHIN TWO YEARS (DEALER SPENT JUST AS MUCH TIME WITH THE CAR AS I)…
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11030089 at NHTSA ↗