Total Complaints
30 filings
BMW 550I · model year
30 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2006BMW550I carries 30 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2006 550I is air bags with 11 filings, followed by electrical system (3) and air bags:frontal (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2006 550I. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
30 filings
Crashes Reported
3 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 11 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 3 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 2 |
| STEERING | 2 |
| WHEELS | 2 |
| ENGINE | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE | 1 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 |
| TIRES | 1 |
| SUSPENSION | 1 |
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans and 325xi sports wagons, model year 2007 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi sedans and 328i and 328xi sports wagons, model year 2006-2007 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i sedans and 530xi sports wagons, model yea
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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 COU
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
BMW of North America, Inc. (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, and 550i vehicles equipped with the Sport Seat option and certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i vehicles with standard seats. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that det
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 550I. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the front passengerâs side air bag warning light remained illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V428000 (Air Bags). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 184,000.
Mileage: 184,000
I WAS DRIVING HOME AND FELT THE CAR LEANING TO ONE SIDE (PASSENGER SIDE) I DROVE SLOWLY WITH HAZARD LIGHTS ON MADE IT HOME AND CHECKED UNDER VEHICLE LOOKED LIKED THE BOLT CAME OFF AND BAR CONNECTED TO TIRE WAS DROPPED HAD IT TOWED TO SHOP AND WAS TOLD CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED . ANOTHER SITUATION I HAD WITH MY CAR WAS THE COOLING SYSTEM AND THE OIL I WAS BUYING BOTTLES OF COOLANT AND OIL WEEKLY TOOK IT INTO SHOP AND WAS TOLD COMPLETE COOLING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS I WAS DRIVING HOME CAR STARTED TO OVERHEAT SO I STOPPED AS RECOMMENDED AND LET IT COOL MADE IT HOME THEN HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO SHOP THEY ORDERED ALL PARTS AND HOSES FOR COOLING SYSTEM NOW MY CAR SMOKE AT THE EXHAUST WHEN SITTING IDLE FOR A FEW MINUTES THEN WHEN I PUSH ON THE GAS BIG CLOUDS OF WHITE SMOKE COME FROM EXHAUST. *TR
Mileage: 142,764
I WAS DRIVING HOME AND FELT THE CAR LEANING TO ONE SIDE (PASSENGER SIDE) I DROVE SLOWLY WITH HAZARD LIGHTS ON MADE IT HOME AND CHECKED UNDER VEHICLE LOOKED LIKED THE BOLT CAME OFF AND BAR CONNECTED TO TIRE WAS DROPPED HAD IT TOWED TO SHOP AND WAS TOLD CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED . ANOTHER SITUATION I HAD WITH MY CAR WAS THE COOLING SYSTEM AND THE OIL I WAS BUYING BOTTLES OF COOLANT AND OIL WEEKLY TOOK IT INTO SHOP AND WAS TOLD COMPLETE COOLING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS I WAS DRIVING HOME CAR STARTED TO OVERHEAT SO I STOPPED AS RECOMMENDED AND LET IT COOL MADE IT HOME THEN HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO SHOP THEY ORDERED ALL PARTS AND HOSES FOR COOLING SYSTEM NOW MY CAR SMOKE AT THE EXHAUST WHEN SITTING IDLE FOR A FEW MINUTES THEN WHEN I PUSH ON THE GAS BIG CLOUDS OF WHITE SMOKE COME FROM EXHAUST. *TR
Mileage: 142,764
NEXEN TIRES N5000 PLUS SIDEWALL ON ALL TIRES ARE STARTING TO CRACK AND SPLIT WITH LESS THAN 30,000 MILES AND 24 MONTHS OF USE. GOING TO REPLACE TIRES WITH ANOTHER BRAND AND REMOVE THESE DUE TO UNSAFE AND POTENTIAL CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF TIRES COMING APART OR BLOWOUT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS..
Mileage: 195,000
NEXEN TIRES N5000 PLUS SIDEWALL ON ALL TIRES ARE STARTING TO CRACK AND SPLIT WITH LESS THAN 30,000 MILES AND 24 MONTHS OF USE. GOING TO REPLACE TIRES WITH ANOTHER BRAND AND REMOVE THESE DUE TO UNSAFE AND POTENTIAL CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF TIRES COMING APART OR BLOWOUT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS..
Mileage: 195,000
HEADLIGHT WIRE INSULATION FLAKING OFF AND WIRES ARE SHORTING CAUSING HEADLIGHT TO GO OFF. WIRES SHORT AND ARCING. THE HEADLIGHT WENT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT NIGHT.
Mileage: 80,000
HEADLIGHT WIRE INSULATION FLAKING OFF AND WIRES ARE SHORTING CAUSING HEADLIGHT TO GO OFF. WIRES SHORT AND ARCING. THE HEADLIGHT WENT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT NIGHT.
Mileage: 80,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 550I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW OF LAS VEGAS (6900 W SAHARA AVE, NV 89117, (702) 570-0279), BUT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
THERE IS FUEL LEAKING FROM THE MAIN FUEL LINE TO THE FUEL RAIL. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS UPON RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MY MODEL WHICH EXPLAINS WHY BMW'S CATCH FIRE. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE THEY FIX THIS PROBLEM?
Mileage: 95,000
THERE IS FUEL LEAKING FROM THE MAIN FUEL LINE TO THE FUEL RAIL. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS UPON RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MY MODEL WHICH EXPLAINS WHY BMW'S CATCH FIRE. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE THEY FIX THIS PROBLEM?
Mileage: 95,000
ALTOUGH MY 2006 BMW 550I V8 IS HARD TO STOP AND FALLS UNDER BMW BRAKE VACUUM PUMP RECALL RELEASED NOVEMBER 2010, FOR SOME REASON MY VIN DOESNT BRING UP THE RECALL. BMW REFUSED TO FIX.A WASTED 1 HOUR TRIP AND DAY.
Mileage: 146,000
FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT WARMING ON I-DRIVE AND AIR BAD LIGHT LIT ON DASH. PASSENGER RESTRAINT FAILURE. FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIR BAG,BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER.FASTEN AND CONTINUE TO WEAR BELTS. ON 24-7. FROM THE MOMENT YOU START THE CAR TILL THE MOMENT YOU SHUT IT OFF.
DEFECTIVE ELV STEERING LOCK PREVENTS THE CAR FROM STARTING. THE LOCK CAN'T BE DISABLED. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. THE LOCK IS UNNNECSSARY FOR SAFE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. THE LOCK CAN'T BE DISABLED. AT THE VERY LEAST, THE OWNER SHOULD BE ABLE TO DISABLE IT.
Mileage: 65,000
MY 06 BMW 550I IS HAVING AN ELECTRIC WHEEL LOCK FAULT JUST LIKE THOUSANDS OF OTHERS THIS AS YOU KNOW COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT BMW HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN ACKNOWLEDGING THE ISSUE. ANY ASSISTANCE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR
Mileage: 129,050
MY 06 BMW 550I IS HAVING AN ELECTRIC WHEEL LOCK FAULT JUST LIKE THOUSANDS OF OTHERS THIS AS YOU KNOW COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT BMW HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN ACKNOWLEDGING THE ISSUE. ANY ASSISTANCE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR
Mileage: 129,050
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 550I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ATTEMPTING TO AVOID CRASHING INTO AN ANIMAL, THE CONTACT SWERVED TO THE RIGHT AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED BUT THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS ON THE NECK AND RIGHT WRIST FROM THE AIR BAG CHEMICALS. THE CONTACT ALSO REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Mileage: 100,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 BMW 550I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND ATTEMPTING AVOID CRASHING INTO AN ANIMAL, THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE RIGHT AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS TO THE RIGHT WRIST, FOREHEAD, AND THE LEFT SIDE OF THE NECK WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Mileage: 130,000
PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM BELT TENSIONER OR BELT FORCE LIMITER FAULT. AIRBAG LIGHT ON. *TR
Mileage: 173,134
STEERING MALFUNCTION ISSUE AND RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION MESSAGE. I'M AWARE THAT BMW HAD RECALLS ON THESE ISSUES THAT I AM HAVING HOWEVER I CALLED BMW USA AND MY VIN NUMBER THEY SAY WASN'T INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. HOWEVER I'M HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
Mileage: 70,000
STEERING MALFUNCTION ISSUE AND RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION MESSAGE. I'M AWARE THAT BMW HAD RECALLS ON THESE ISSUES THAT I AM HAVING HOWEVER I CALLED BMW USA AND MY VIN NUMBER THEY SAY WASN'T INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. HOWEVER I'M HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
Mileage: 70,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.