Model year guide

2013 BMW 550i

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2013 BMW 550i is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 2 on record.

2013 BMW 550i — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2013 BMW 550i at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints15
Combined17–20 mpg

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

2013 BMW 550i recalls 1

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #15V188000 · 31/03/2015

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."

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.

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.

2013 BMW 550i common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — 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.
Seats
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.

2013 BMW 550i MPG & running costs

Combined17–20 mpg
City16 mpg
Highway24 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,475
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$10,375 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 2013 BMW 550i costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$22,375
Fuel only$22,375
Per mile$0.30

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.

2013 BMW 550i trims & engines on record

Engines
4.4L 8-cyl 400 hp

2013 BMW 550i vehicles on record

2013 BMW 550i 2013 BMW 550iWBAFR9C54DD226940 2013 BMW 550iWBAFR9C54DDX79488

Other BMW 550i model years

2016 2015 2014 2012 2011 2009

2013 BMW 550i — frequently asked questions

Does the 2013 BMW 550i have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2013 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 2013 BMW 550i?

Across all 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine, fuel/propulsion system, power train.

What gas mileage does the 2013 BMW 550i get?

The 2013 BMW 550i has U.S. EPA estimates of 17–20 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.