The 2014 BMW 550i has 2 safety recalls and 6 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is fuel/propulsion system (2 complaints).
Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints6filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints
2014 BMW 550i in an NHTSA crash test
Safety recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2015 6 Series Gran Coupe, 2014 5 Series Gran Turismo, 2014 5 Series Sedan, 2015 6 Series Convertible, 2015 6 Series Coupe, 2014 X5, 2013-2014 X3, 2014-2015 3 Series Sedan, 2014 4 Series Coupe, 2014 4 Series Convertible, 2014 3 Series Gran Turismo, and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. Please see the recall report for the complete list of models. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, increasing the risk of injury or death.
Fix: The driver's front air bag will be replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Exterior lighting
NHTSA recall 15V188000 · Mar 31, 2015 · 13,443 vehicles
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, and ActiveHybrid 5 vehicles. The rear reflex reflectors may not reflect enough light. As such, the vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: The vehicle may be less visible to other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear reflex reflectors, free of charge. The recall began July 28, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA side barrier crash testNHTSA side pole crash test
2014 BMW 550 I 4 DR RWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
9.3%
Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
2014 BMW 550 I GT 4 DR RWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
9.3%
Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
2014 BMW 550 I Xdrive 4 DR AWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
9.3%
Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
2014 BMW 550 I Xdrive GT 4 DR AWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
9.3%
Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
550i
20mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 25 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
4.4 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (S8) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel
550i xDrive
19mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
4.4 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel
550i Gran Turismo
19mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
4.4 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (S8) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel
550i xDrive Gran Turismo
19mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
4.4 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Fuel/propulsion system
2
0
0
0
—
Air bags
2
0
0
0
—
Steering
1
0
0
0
—
Engine
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jul 19, 2024Engine My engine keeps burning oil. Have to refill every 2 months. Needs repair or replaced engine. Purchased vehicle in 2023. Class action N63TU1
Aug 29, 2024Air bags This is for a 2014 BMW 550i. Getting a red warning light indicating the passenger airbag is malfunctioning. The driver side had a recall but not the passenger. This is very dangerous and should be addressed. The dealership wants over $2,700 to fix it. Doesn't feel right. Reading on the message boards and sounds to be a common problem with these cars. Could use your help.
Jul 28, 2023Air bags Passenger restraint system malfunction
May 10, 2019 · 60,000 milesFuel/propulsion system WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY CAR SUDDENLY STALLED NEARLY CAUSING A HUGE ACCIDENT, THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE FUEL PUMP. I NOTICED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE ON PRIOR YEAR BMW MODELS SO CALLED BMW DIRECTLY AND THEY SAID THAT AT THIS TIME THERE IS NO RECALL IN EFFECT, IT SEEMS TOO COINCIDENTAL THAT I HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND FEEL VERY LUCKY NOT TO HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I HAVE NOTHING.
Jul 24, 2017 · 11,750 milesSteering CLICKING NOISE AND STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. BMW ACKNOWLEDGES THE PROBLEM, THEY SAY WITH THE INTERACTIVE STEERING SYSTEM, BUT THEY DO NOT HAVE A FIX. SYMPTOMS ARE GETTING WORSE BY THE DAY AND I BELIEVE SAFETY IS AN ISSUE HERE.
Jun 28, 2017 · 47,000 milesFuel/propulsion system THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL INJECTOR EITHER FAILS OR IS INCAPACITATED BY THE ECU FOR UNKNOWN REASONS. IN EITHER CASE THE DRIVE TRAIN IS PUT INTO A DIMINISHED MODE WHICH RENDERS THE VEHICLE UNDER POWERED AND ALSO EVENTUALLY EMIT WHITE SMOKE. ONCE IN THIS DEMINISHED MODE ESPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE IS A HAZARD TO DRIVE AS IT CAN BARELY KEEP UP WITH THE SPEED LIMIT AND IN SOME SITUATION WILL NOT ALLOW FOR EMERGENCY MANUVERS DUE TO LACK OF POWER. IN MY CASE THERE WERE TWO PREVIOUS INCIDENTS THAT WERE RESET BY THE DEALERSHIP WHICH INDICATED IMPENDING FAILURE UNTIL THE 3RD INCIDENT IN WHICH THE PUMP LEAKED FUEL INTO THE CYLINDER CAUSING THE WHITE SMOKE. THIS SMOKE IN ACCESS CAN ALSO BLIND…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021 · openDesiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled…