2018 BMW M550i reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 23 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 BMW M550i over 9 years — 2 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 6 M550i years on this site. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Camera.

Complaints

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Air bags (10 of 23), then Seat belts (6) and Electrical system (4). Those filings include 1 that reports a fire.

Next to 2019

The 2019 M550i has 0 complaints, 0 per year. The 2018 has more complaints per year than the 2019.

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 2018 BMW M550i. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (1)

Recall back-over prevention, sensing system, camera 2019-09-27 · NHTSA campaign 19V684000

Summary BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Convertible and Coupe 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, X5 sDrive, X5 xDrive, X5 M50i, X6 xDrive, X6 M50i, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, Z4 sDrive, Z4 M40i, 740Le xDrive and 745Le xDrive, 2018-2019 640i xDrive Gran Turismo and Rolls-Royce Phantom, 2019 M850i xDrive Gran Coupe and Rolls-Royce Cullinan and 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.

Complaints by component (23 total)

Air bags

Seat belts

Electrical system

Seats

Engine

Forward collision avoidance

Lane departure

Structure

Wheels

Latches, locks, and linkages

Steering

Tires

Visibility and wipers

Show 5 more Show less

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"Throughout my ownership, I have adhered to BMW’s recommended maintenance schedule, including routine oil changes and inspections. At no point was I advised of any engine issues, oil leaks, or conditions that could…"
Engine · filed 2026-08-07
"To: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Subject: Safety Complaint – 2018 BMW M550i Driver Assistance System I am filing a formal safety complaint regarding a dangerous malfunction of the driver…"
Steering, Forward collision avoidance, Lane departure · filed 2026-01-16
"I’m getting a passenger restraint system malfunction message on my infotainment. Says: “Passenger restraint system limited. Increased risk of injury in case of a collision. Continue wearing safety belt.” This is the…"
Air bags, Seat belts · filed 2025-08-15
"Passenger restrain system mail function"
Air bags · filed 2025-04-20
"Passenger restrained seatbelt signal. There is bulletin in google: SIB 72 04 17. There are recalls for this vehicle but dealer want accept it."
Air bags · filed 2024-10-25

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
M550i xDrive	4.4L, 8-cyl	Automatic (8-speed)	All-wheel drive	16	25	19 MPG	$4200

Specs and fitment

Tracked generation(s), 2018–present

Body styles Sedan

Oil 0W-30 (SAE; verify BMW LL label)

Tire size 245/40R19, 245/35R20, 275/35R19, 275/30R20

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA complaints and recalls for BMW M550i vehicles in the tracked years include air-bag, braking (vacuum pump lubrication campaigns such as 13V-454 on related N20 engines), lighting, and electrical themes shared across BMW 3/4/5/7/M lines. Confirm each campaign by VIN; many unit totals span multiple BMW models.

Compare

See every BMW M550i model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 BMW M550i reliable?

What are common problems with a 2018 BMW M550i?

The complaints owners file most often name Air bags (10 of 23), then Seat belts (6) and Electrical system (4). Those filings include 1 that reports a fire.

Is the 2018 BMW M550i more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2019 M550i has 0 complaints, 0 per year. The 2018 has more complaints per year than the 2019.

Has the 2018 BMW M550i been recalled?

The 2018 BMW M550i 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 2018 BMW M550i?

Owners have filed 23 complaints about the 2018 BMW M550i with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2018 BMW M550i get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2018 BMW M550i is 19 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 M550i use?

0W-30 (SAE; verify BMW LL label)

What tire sizes fit a US BMW M550i?

Published US specs commonly list front 245/40R19, 245/35R20, 275/35R19, 275/30R20 and rear 245/40R19, 245/35R20, 275/35R19, 275/30R20; confirm on the door jamb placard for your trim.

What NHTSA recalls affect the US BMW M550i?