Reliable Auto DB

2013 BMW 550i reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2013 BMW 550i has 15 complaints with NHTSA after 14 years, or 1 per year. That is more complaints per year than most 550i years here — over the median of the other years, which is 0. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Exterior lighting.

2012 BMW 550i
Photo by M 93, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Complaints

15

Per year

1

Recalls

1

Years on the road

14

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (8 of 15), then Fuel and propulsion system (4) and Powertrain (3). Those filings include 1 that reports an injury.

Next to 2012 and 2014

The 2012 550i has 35 complaints, 3 per year, and the 2014 has 6 complaints, 0 per year. The 2013 has fewer complaints per year than the 2012. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2014.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2013 BMW 550i. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (1)

Recall Exterior lighting 2015-03-31 · NHTSA campaign 15V188000
Summary 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."
Remedy 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.

Complaints by component (15 total)

Engine
8
Fuel and propulsion system
4
Powertrain
3
Seats
2
Electrical system
1
Exterior lighting
1
Fuel system, gasoline
1
Service brakes
1
Suspension
1
Tires
1
Wheels
1
Show 3 more Show less
Crash-flagged

0

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

1

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

22013120151201732018220191202012021220221202312025
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "The contact owned a 2013 BMW 550I. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. The contact was able to coast into the driveway. The contact attempted to restart…"
    Engine · filed 2025-04-17
  • "The contact owns a 2013 BMW 550i. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the warning message illuminated on the instrument panel stating, “Driving moderately and drive pit not available”. The vehicle was taken to the…"
    Fuel system, gasoline · filed 2022-09-01
  • "I have soft closing doors on my vehicle. My doors won’t unlock/open, the only way I can get the driver side door open is using the physical key. When trying to unlock the door with the key fob, it makes the sound but…"
    Electrical system, Unknown or other · filed 2022-07-11
  • "GUIBO FLEXIBLE DISC FAILED DURING ROUTINE PA INSPECTION. TECHNICIAN SAID IT WAS CRACKED AND FAILED THE INSPECTION. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 62000 MILES ON IT AND THE CV JOINT FAILED. I BELIEVE THEIR WAS A RECALL FOR 2011 AND…"
    Powertrain · filed 2021-02-09

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2013 BMW 550 I 4 DR RWD 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 5 stars
2013 BMW 550 I GT 4 DR RWD 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 5 stars
2013 BMW 550 I Xdrive 4 DR AWD 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 5 stars
2013 BMW 550 I Xdrive GT 4 DR AWD 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 5 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
550i 4.4L, 8-cyl Automatic (8-speed) Rear-wheel drive 17 25 20 MPG $4000
550i 4.4L, 8-cyl Manual 6-speed Rear-wheel drive 15 22 17 MPG $4700
550i Gran Turismo 4.4L, 8-cyl Automatic (8-speed) Rear-wheel drive 16 24 19 MPG $4200
550i xDrive 4.4L, 8-cyl Automatic (8-speed) All-wheel drive 16 24 19 MPG $4200
550i xDrive Gran Turismo 4.4L, 8-cyl Automatic (8-speed) All-wheel drive 16 24 19 MPG $4200

Specs and fitment

F10/F07 generation, 2012–2016
Body styles Sedan, Gran Turismo
Oil 0W-30
Tire size 245/40R19, 245/40R20, 245/45R18, 245/45R19, 245/50R18, 275/35R19 (trim-dependent)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 18V248000 covers certain 2011-2012 550i, 550i xDrive, and 550i Gran Turismo models (with 750i/750Li, X5/X6 50i/M, and other N63 applications) where the electric auxiliary water pump circuit board can overheat and increase fire risk; dealers replace the pump. Recall 15V718000 covers certain 2016 550i models (with other 5 Series) for a child-seat related concern on that campaign list.

Compare

Previous year 2012 BMW 550i Next year 2014 BMW 550i See every BMW 550i model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 BMW 550i reliable?

The 2013 BMW 550i has 15 complaints with NHTSA after 14 years, or 1 per year. That is more complaints per year than most 550i years here — over the median of the other years, which is 0. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Exterior lighting.

What are common problems with a 2013 BMW 550i?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (8 of 15), then Fuel and propulsion system (4) and Powertrain (3). Those filings include 1 that reports an injury.

Is the 2013 BMW 550i more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2012 550i has 35 complaints, 3 per year, and the 2014 has 6 complaints, 0 per year. The 2013 has fewer complaints per year than the 2012. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2014.

Has the 2013 BMW 550i been recalled?

The 2013 BMW 550i has 1 recall on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2013 BMW 550i?

Owners have filed 15 complaints about the 2013 BMW 550i with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2013 BMW 550i get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2013 BMW 550i is 18.8 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What engine oil does a US BMW 550i use?

0W-30

What tire sizes fit a US BMW 550i?

Published US specs commonly list front 245/40R19, 245/40R20, 245/45R18, 245/45R19, 245/50R18, 275/35R19 (trim-dependent) and rear 245/40R19, 245/40R20, 245/45R18, 245/45R19, 245/50R18, 275/35R19 (trim-dependent); confirm on the door jamb placard for your trim.

What NHTSA recalls affect the US BMW 550i?

Recall 18V248000 covers certain 2011-2012 550i, 550i xDrive, and 550i Gran Turismo models (with 750i/750Li, X5/X6 50i/M, and other N63 applications) where the electric auxiliary water pump circuit board can overheat and increase fire risk; dealers replace the pump. Recall 15V718000 covers certain 2016 550i models (with other 5 Series) for a child-seat related concern on that campaign list.