2006 BMW 550I: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2006 BMW 550I: 3 recalls, 23 owner complaints and up to 18 mpg combined.
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Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #07V479000 · 2007 · 29,250 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain vehicles equipped with v8 engines, in conditions of below freezing temperatures combined with low humidity, it is possible for electrostatic discharge to occur at the fuel rails. If this were to occur, the engine electronic control unit (ECU) could be affected so that engine stalling could result.
Why it matters: If stalling were to occur, the driver May not be able to maintain vehicle speed or accelerate and the power steering could fail increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will attach two ground cables in the engine compartment free of charge. The recall began on October 29, 2007.
Airbags Vehicle recall #13V564000 · 2013 · 76,565 vehicles
What's wrong: The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if and how the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash May fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.
Why it matters: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.
The fix: Bmw will notify owners with an interim notification letter in January 2014 since parts are not currently available. When parts are available, BMW sent a second letter in August and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it May crack, free of charge.…
Airbags Vehicle recall #17V428000 · 2017 · 2,158 vehicles
What's wrong: Bmw of north america, Inc. (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, and 550i vehicles equipped with the sport seat option and certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i vehicles with standard seats. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if, and how, the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash May fatigue and develop cracks which could…
Why it matters: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.
The fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it May crack, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began September 1, 2017.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 2 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (13): the most common themes are warning light on (4).
- Electrical (3): the most common themes are electrical failure (2).
- Brakes (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Steering (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2006 BMW 550I has 23 owner complaints, ranking #5 of 11 550I model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 23). Complaints peaked in 2015 (5 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 8 years old, at a median of 100,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2007 (37 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.8 L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 23 | 18 | Premium |
| 4.8 L 8-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 21 | 16 | Premium |
| 4.8 L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 20 | 16 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2006 BMW 550I.
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FAQ
Does the 2006 BMW 550I have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2006 BMW 550I. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2006 BMW 550I problems?
Owners have filed 23 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (13), electrical (3), brakes (2).
What gas mileage does the 2006 BMW 550I get?
EPA ratings run up to 18 mpg combined (4.8 L, Automatic (S6)), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2006 BMW 550I repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.