2008 BMW 550I Recalls, Complaints & Specs
2 safety recalls list the 2008 BMW 550I, and owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
2 safety recalls for the 2008 BMW 550I
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Tail lights (exterior lighting)
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…
Remedy: 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 CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
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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 could result.
Remedy: 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.
32 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2008 BMW 550I have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA; 1 describe a crash and 3 describe a fire. Reports cite 1 injury and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 67,734 miles. Complaints peaked in 2008 with 6 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Vehicle abruptly shut off while reversing out of my driveway. Vehicle restarted after a long crank and appeared to enter a reduced power mode/limp mode with a transmission fault that locked the transm”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 13, 2025 · Engine
“The contact owns a 2008 BMW.The contact stated that he was getting ready to drive the vehicle, however when he started the vehicle, the ABS and check engine lights illuminated.The contact stated that”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, November 9, 2023 · Engine
Compare BMW 550I model years
Recall and complaint counts for every BMW 550I model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 BMW 550I | 3 | 23 |
| 2007 BMW 550I | 2 | 37 |
| 2008 BMW 550I | 2 | 32 |
| 2009 BMW 550I | 1 | 2 |
| 2010 BMW 550I | 1 | 11 |
| 2011 BMW 550I | 3 | 84 |
| 2012 BMW 550I | 2 | 35 |
| 2013 BMW 550I | 1 | 15 |
| 2014 BMW 550I | 2 | 6 |
| 2015 BMW 550I | 0 | 6 |
| 2016 BMW 550I | 2 | 1 |
Checking a specific 2008 BMW 550I
How do I know if my 2008 BMW 550I has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 2 campaigns currently list the 2008 BMW 550I; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised BMW dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 07V479000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other BMW models
- X53,154 complaints
- 328I2,578 complaints
- X32,004 complaints
- 325I1,386 complaints
- Z41,281 complaints
- 3 Series843 complaints
- 528I835 complaints
- 330I815 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.