10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
46,160 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 BMW 550 fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2012 BMW 550 Owner Comments

problem #11

Sep 012023

550

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving when the vehicle engine randomly shut down with out warning I was on the freeway at the time and could have been hit by a car. I took thr car to an auto repair shop, had the problem inspected snddiagnosed and was told the engine was faulty. I had the engine replaced and the same issue occurred. There were no warning lamps, messages, or alerts prior to the problem occurring. The drivetrain malfunction light came on as soon as the engine cut off.

- Ft Worth, TX, USA

problem #10

May 072021

550

  • miles
2012 F10 had issues while running as car installed and stopped completely multiple times in traffic. Fuel supply sign came on. Diagnosed as low pressure fuel pump degraded and need replacement. Same recall took place for 2007-2011 5 series model as well via recall campaign No. 16v-746: In-Tank Fuel Pump. 2012 have same issue and very dangerous to drive on road when vehicle stalls and stops while driving in traffic

- Glendale Heights, IL, USA

problem #9

Feb 162021

550

  • 58,200 miles
The high pressure fuel pump caused a fire in the engine compartment and totaled the car with less than 60K miles on

- Epsom, NH, USA

problem #8

Apr 082020

550

  • 87,900 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When you first turn the car on it sounds very loud for about 5 minutes (louder than normal). When driving down the road the car will start shaking and the car computer pops up saying drivetrain malfunction and you have to pull over to restart. Hesitate beofre taking off at a red light or when turning in an intersection. Computer error massage comes and goes.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #7

Feb 292020

550

  • 80,000 miles
When driving down the road the car will start shaking and the car computer pops up saying drivetrain malfunction and you have to pull over to restart the car. But it does it again 5-10 minutes later

- Port Wentworth, GA, USA

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problem #6

Oct 152019

550

  • 51,000 miles
When I press on the gas to accelerate the "drivetrain malfunction" error comes on. My car only have 51,000 miles. I have to turn the car off and wait a minute to resume driving.

- Glen Burnie, MD, USA

problem #5

Sep 062019

550

  • 89,359 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car will stall jerk and stall losses power while accelerating.

- Aurora, IL, USA

problem #4

Oct 112018

550

  • 60,000 miles
"takata recall" our car started flashing "increased battery discharge" and "all electrical devices will shut off" we took it to the BMW house. They diagnosed it, as needing a new battery. We replaced the battery and 1 week later the same message came on again "increased battery discharge' "all electrical devices will shut off". we had to take it back to the BMW house and they diagnosed it this time as needing the external door handle replaced, they said the door handle had gone out and that some part in that handle puts the car to sleep but it was not allowing the car to go to sleep and this pulled the battery down. We replaced that. That lasted 2 weeks and again this same message came "increased battery discharge" "electrical devices are shutting down. I was on the way to the BMW house once again it started to smell like wires burning and under the console where the gear is started to smoke bad!! to the point that I parked the car then I called the fire department. Our car had to be hauled to the BMW house. It is unknown why all this happened.

- Somerville, TX, USA

problem #3

Apr 272018

550

  • 35,000 miles
Fuel pump disengages when the car gets too hot. It's happened three times fortunately each time I was going 20 mph or less. The car essentially stalls out and at higher speeds could be an issue. BMW has made a fuel pump recall but the 2012 550I did not qualify and I believe it should.

- Lynnwood, WA, USA

problem #2

Dec 222014

550 8-cyl

  • 40,800 miles
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 of cars. They are changing tons of parts from injectors to fuel rails. It should be a full blown recall and the NHTSA should get involved on this. My car has been in the shop since 12/23 and still has not been repaired correctly. I have a feeling you are going to be getting thousands of these complaints against BMW. They need to be held accountable for these failures.

- Hopewell Junction , NY, USA

problem #1

Nov 122012

550

  • 5,500 miles
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 permitted. The engine light stayed on, and no matter how far the gas pedal was pressed, the car would not gain power. While driving, the car stalled several times as I was attempting to go up the hill to my home. When the car stalled, the gears would not go into neutral or park, and the steering wheel locked up immediately. This experienced was close call to crashing the car and possible sustaining significant injuries. After waiting for three hours, the car started up normally. Several people who have chatted with regarding the 2012 BMW 550I crosstrack, V-8 have reported these same experiences. Apparently the reports all link back to the fuel system. (e.g., fuel injectors, fuel pump, fuel sensors, etc.)

- Auburn, WA, USA

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