BMW 550i Recalls

The BMW 550i has 9 recalls spanning the 2006 through 2016 model years, with the most serious being a Takata airbag inflator defect on 2014 models where the inflator can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, raising the risk of serious injury or death.

The 2016 model year has two additional safety equipment recalls: a seat-mounted side airbag inflator initiator that can fail to ignite, leaving the bag undeployed in a crash, and a bent inboard lower anchor on the left rear seat that can prevent a child safety seat from fully latching. The 2011 model year has a separate airbag concern involving a replacement sensor cluster unit that, if installed during a prior service visit, may not properly trigger the driver and passenger airbags, seatbelt pretensioners, or active head restraints in a crash.

On the mechanical side, 2011-2012 models have a turbocharger circuit board that can overheat and start a fire. A fuel pump wiring connector on 2011-2012 vehicles can also loosen, melt, and either leak fuel or stop the pump entirely, potentially stalling the engine.

Going back to the 2006 model year, two issues stand out. In cold, low-humidity conditions, electrostatic discharge near the fuel rails can disrupt the engine control unit, causing the engine to stall and power steering to cut out simultaneously. Separately, the passenger seat occupant classification sensor on 2006 models with Sport Seats or standard seats can fail and deactivate the front passenger airbag.

The 2013-2014 model years have a compliance recall for rear reflex reflectors that do not reflect enough light, reducing the vehicle's visibility to traffic approaching from behind.