AI Damage2011 BMW 550I Gran Turismo reliability: common problems
Owners of the 2011 BMW 550I Gran Turismo filed 7 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 7
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 43% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 29% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 29% of all complaints
- 4 Air bags 14% of all complaints
- 5 Engine and cooling 14% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel/propulsion system 14% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 14% of all complaints
- 8 Structure 14% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (43% of all).
- Engine: 2 complaints (29% of all).
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (29% of all).
- Air bags: 1 complaints (14% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (14% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 7 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Now ac blower gone after picking up from the dealer less than a month ago. Bad purchase now out of money and car still needs repair.
N 63 engine failure: this engine replacement is part of the bang settlement. I got a replacement engine for which I spent almost as much as the value of the car. So called new engine continues to consume oil. Basically bmw replaced the engine that they should have kn own is defective.
The contact stated that there was a steering failure due to the air bags. The contact stated that the horn failed to work and the air bag indicator remained illuminated.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 bmw 550i gran turismo. The contact stated that the part was not available within a reasonable time frame to receive the recall repair for nhtsa campaign number: 18v248000 (engine and engine cooling).
The front right wheel (rim) developed hairline crack. The crack is on the inside side of the rim. The crack resulted in a slow loss of the tire air pressure.
The car was parked and caught on fire in the engine department. It was and is a complete loss. It had been drivine 30 miles about an hour before.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 bmw 550i gran turismo. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v746000 (fuel system, gasoline) and stated that the part was not available within a reasonable time frame to schedule the recall repair.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 11,587 of 32,261 model years in the NHTSA data (top 36% most complained about).
On average one model year of the 550I Gran Turismo has 6 complaints (3 years in the data). This year has 7, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2011 BMW 550I Gran Turismo?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine, powertrain. Total complaints: 7. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: A/C or heater (14%), engine failure or replacement (14%), smoke, burning smell, fire (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2011 BMW 550I Gran Turismo?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2011 BMW 550I Gran Turismo from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2011 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-07.