Model year guide

2012 BMW 550i

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2012 BMW 550i is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

2012 BMW 550i — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2012 BMW 550i at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints45
Combined17–18 mpg

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2012 BMW 550i recalls 2

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine NHTSA Campaign #18V248000 · 18/04/2018

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Cooper S Countryman, Cooper S Countryman ALL4, Cooper S, JCW, Cooper S Clubman, JCW Clubman, Cooper S Roadster, JCW Roadst…

Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notified of the recall beginning June 11, 2018, and will receive …

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump NHTSA Campaign #16V746000 · 17/10/2016

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 BMW X5 3.0si, X5 4.8i, X5 M, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i and X5 xDrive50i, 2008-2011 X6 x Drive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 535i xDrive Gran Turismo, 535i Gran Turismo, 550i xDrive Gran Turismo and 550i Gran Turismo, 2011-2012 528i, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i and 550i xDrive and 2012 535i ActiveHybrid, 640i …

Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 7 Oct 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2012 BMW 550i common problems

Owners have filed 45 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2012 BMW 550i MPG & running costs

Combined17–18 mpg
City15 mpg
Highway23 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,700
EPA size classMidsize Cars
TransmissionAutomatic (S8) or Manual 6-spd
Forced inductionTurbocharged
Passenger volume102 cu ft
Cargo volume14 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$11,500 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2012 BMW 550i costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$23,500
Fuel only$23,500
Per mile$0.31

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2012 BMW 550i trims & engines on record

Engines
4.4L 8-cyl 400 hp

2012 BMW 550i vehicles on record

2012 BMW 550i 2012 BMW 550iWBAFR9C53CDX78928

Other BMW 550i model years

2016 2015 2014 2013 2011 2009

2012 BMW 550i — frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 BMW 550i have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2012 BMW 550i. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 BMW 550i?

Owners have filed 45 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are engine, fuel/propulsion system, power train.

What gas mileage does the 2012 BMW 550i get?

The 2012 BMW 550i has U.S. EPA estimates of 17–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.