2012 Bmw 550I problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
35 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
59,287 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 29 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 35 complaints (37.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 9 | 25.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 14.3% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 5.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 5.7% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 5.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.9% |
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 | 13 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 11 |
| Tires | 8 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Power Train | 4 |
| Wheels | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
Engine: 13; Fuel/Propulsion System: 11; Tires: 8; Electrical System: 4; Power Train: 4; Wheels: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2; Steering: 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 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 9 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 6 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 |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2012: 5; 2013: 1; 2014: 4; 2015: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 2; 2019: 9; 2020: 6; 2021: 5; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 9 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior 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 10484582 · 2012-11-14 (November 14, 2012)
I HAVE A 2012 BMW 550I, CROSSTRACK, V-8, AND WITH ONLY 5500 MILES (PURCHASED IN JULY 2012). WHEN INITIALLY STARTING MY CAR ON A FLAT PLAIN, THE BEHAVIOR OF THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE FIERCELY, REPEATED LOSS OF POWER, AND THE I-DRIVE REPORTED THE CHASSIS WAS MALFUNCTIONING. ONLY MODERATE DRIVING WAS PERMITTED. THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON, AND NO MATTER HOW FAR THE GAS PEDAL WAS PRESSED, THE CAR WOULD NOT GAIN POWER. WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR STALLED SEVERAL TIMES AS I WAS ATTEMPTING TO GO UP THE HILL TO MY HOME. WHEN THE CAR STALLED, THE GEARS WO…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10484582 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10633756 · 2014-09-16 (September 16, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 550I. THE VEHICLE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS HYDRO-LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,500. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 8,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10633756 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11090889 · 2018-04-29 (April 29, 2018)
FUEL PUMP DISENGAGES WHEN THE CAR GETS TOO HOT. IT'S HAPPENED THREE TIMES FORTUNATELY EACH TIME I WAS GOING 20 MPH OR LESS. THE CAR ESSENTIALLY STALLS OUT AND AT HIGHER SPEEDS COULD BE AN ISSUE. BMW HAS MADE A FUEL PUMP RECALL BUT THE 2012 550I DID NOT QUALIFY AND I BELIEVE IT SHOULD.
Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11090889 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11184594 · 2019-03-06 (March 6, 2019)
THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME INCREDIBLY HARD TO PRESS DOWN TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP WHILE IT WAS IN MOTION ON A STREET. THE CAR DEALER REPAIR TOLD ME THE VACUUM PUMP HAD FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE ISSUE.
Owner-reported narrative. 82,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11184594 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11322413 · 2020-04-27 (April 27, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 550I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT ON VARIOUS OCCASION, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY WITHOUT WARNING WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE DURING THE STEERING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMA…
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11322413 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11139976 · 2018-10-12 (October 12, 2018)
"TAKATA RECALL" OUR CAR STARTED FLASHING "INCREASED BATTERY DISCHARGE" AND "ALL ELECTRICAL DEVICES WILL SHUT OFF" WE TOOK IT TO THE BMW HOUSE. THEY DIAGNOSED IT, AS NEEDING A NEW BATTERY. WE REPLACED THE BATTERY AND 1 WEEK LATER THE SAME MESSAGE CAME ON AGAIN "INCREASED BATTERY DISCHARGE' "ALL ELECTRICAL DEVICES WILL SHUT OFF" . WE HAD TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE BMW HOUSE AND THEY DIAGNOSED IT THIS TIME AS NEEDING THE EXTERNAL DOOR HANDLE REPLACED, THEY SAID THE DOOR HANDLE HAD GONE OUT AND THAT SOME PART IN THAT HANDLE PUTS THE CAR TO SLEEP BU…
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11139976 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11440813 · 2021-11-17 (November 17, 2021)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11440813 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11277847 · 2019-11-03 (November 3, 2019)
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY A POP SOUND HAPPEN AND CAR STARTED TO DRIVE AND SHACKING OCCURRED AND SHIFTING OF GEARS WAS ERRATIC. TRANSFER CASE FAILED MADE VERY DIFFICULT TO GET OUT OF WAY OF TRAFFIC BIT OF STALL AND HESITATION.
Owner-reported narrative. 93,339 miles reported. Look up ODI 11277847 at NHTSA ↗