- The problem
- BMW is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 528i, 535i, 550i, and M5 passenger cars manufactured from March 1, 2007, through December 31, 2009. Over time, increased resistance at the taillight electrical contact points may cause damage to the ground terminal and housing of the connector resulting in an intermittent or permanent loss of functionality of one or more rear lamp functions (tail, brake, turn-signal, reverse).
- The risk
- Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear lamp bulb carriers free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].
Vehicle safety record
2008 BMW 550I Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 2008 BMW 550I have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in September 2013 for the tail lights.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical 550I year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
2008 BMW 550I recalls 2
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- On certain vehicles equipped with v8 engines, in conditions of below freezing temperatures combined with low humidity, it is possible for electrostatic discharge to occur at the fuel rails. If this were to occur, the engine electronic control unit (ecu) could be affected so that engine stalling could result.
- The risk
- If stalling were to occur, the driver may not be able to maintain vehicle speed or accelerate and the power steering could fail increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will attach two ground cables in the engine compartment free of charge. The recall began on october 29, 2007. Owners may contact bmw at 1-800-831-1117.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 2008 BMW 550I yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
BMW 550I: every year compared
All 550I years2008 BMW 550I vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 BMW 550I | 0 | 2 | C | |
| 2008 BMW 3 Series | 691 | 3 | F | Compare |
| 2008 BMW 5 Series | 432 | 4 | F | Compare |
| 2008 BMW 7 Series | 94 | 1 | C | Compare |
| 2008 BMW 128I/135I | 87 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 2008 BMW 6 Series | 12 | 2 | C | Compare |
| 2008 BMW F 800 ST | 10 | 2 | F | Compare |
| 2008 BMW F 800 GS | 1 | 3 | C | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2008 BMW 550I
Does the 2008 BMW 550I have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2008 BMW 550I: tail lights (September 2013); engine and engine cooling (October 2007). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 2008 BMW 550I had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 2008 BMW 550I a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 50 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical BMW 550I year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
What should I do if my 2008 BMW 550I has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data