Is the 2012 Bmw 550I reliable?

The 2012 Bmw 550I has 53 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2012 Bmw 550I?

Top problems: ENGINE (14 complaints, avg repair $500); FUEL SYSTEM (13 complaints, avg repair $500); TIRES (8 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2012 Bmw 550I?

Yes, there are 2 recall(s): ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP. Contact any Bmw dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Bmw 550I?

The 2012 Bmw 550I gets 18 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2667. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2012 Bmw 550I?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2012 Bmw 550I is approximately $1,853/year (sedan-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2012 Bmw 550I

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Bmw 550I has 53 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.0x the segment average of 26. The most common issue is engine problems (26% of all complaints), specifically: 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 veh. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

2.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

14 complaints

26%

• 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 VEH
• THE CAR THREW A DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION CODE WHICH HAPPENS WEEKLY ON THESE ENGINES AND THE CAR JUMPED A LANE AS IT MISFIRED AND WENT INTO LIMP DRIVING MODE. IF THERE WAS CARS NEXT TO ME THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A CRASH. SINCE THEN BMW HAS ISSUED A CUSTOMER CAMPAIGN ON THE N63 ENGINE EFFECTING THOUGHTS
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW 550I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK AGAIN. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER A SECOND TIME AND TURNED OFF

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“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 VEH”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Bmw 550I

Based on 43 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 59K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TIRES

Earlier than typicalmedian 8K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

Reported earliermedian 58K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 60K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (2)

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER18/04/2018

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadster, Cooper S Coupe, JCW Coupe and Rolls-Royce Ghost, 2011 BMW X6 Hybrid and 2012 BMW 650i Coupe, 650i xDrive Coupe, 650i Convertible and 650i xDrive Convertible vehicles. The electric auxiliary water pump may fail and cause the circuit board to overheat.

Risk: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive a second notification when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at BMW 1-800-525-7417, MINI at 1-866-825-1525, or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Note: BMW recommends that owners park their vehicle outdoors until the recall remedy has been performed.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2012 Bmw 550I

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,667

Per month

$222

Per mile

22.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,201/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,087/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Bmw 550I

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,853

Full coverage / month

$154

Liability only / year

$668

vs US avg

+11%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1853

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Bmw 550I Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

10K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

Condition-Based Service (CBS) tells you exactly when service is due. Transmission fluid was labeled 'lifetime' but many owners service at 60K-100K.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Bmw New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

4 yr / 50K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

12 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / unlimited mi

Corrosion is unlimited miles for 12 years

These are the terms for a new Bmw. If you're buying a used 2012 550I, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Bmw dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

TIRES(~50K mi)

$500

WHEELS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 53 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: 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 VEH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TIRES: AFTER DRIVING ONLY A FEW THOUSAND MILES THE TIRES ON THE CAR FAILED. THE TWO FRONT TIRES "BUBBLED. WITHIN ONE MONTH AFTER, THE LEFT FRONT FAILED BY "BLOWING". IN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS ALL FOUR "NEW" TIRES FAILED, WITH THE SAME "BUBBLING" ISSUE. 4 MONTHS, 7 TIRES - SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG WITH THE E
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
WHEELS: AFTER DRIVING ONLY A FEW THOUSAND MILES THE TIRES ON THE CAR FAILED. THE TWO FRONT TIRES "BUBBLED. WITHIN ONE MONTH AFTER, THE LEFT FRONT FAILED BY "BLOWING". IN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS ALL FOUR "NEW" TIRES FAILED, WITH THE SAME "BUBBLING" ISSUE. 4 MONTHS, 7 TIRES - SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG WITH THE E
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Bmw dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)