Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2007 BMW 550i: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2007 BMW 550i, most recently filed November 2013. Owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (2)

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2007 BMW 550i. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2007 BMW 550i. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 13V564000 Filed Nov 12, 2013

Front Seat Occupant Protection Mat Defect

Air bags · sensor · occupant classification
Official NHTSA text
Summary
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans and 325xi sports wagons, model year 2007 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi sedans and 328i and 328xi sports wagons, model year 2006-2007 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i sedans and 530xi sports wagons, model year 2006 760i sedans, model year 2006-2007 750i, 750Li, and 760Li sedans, and model year 2006 X5 sports activity vehicles, equipped with certain seat types. 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.
Consequence
Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Remedy
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. Additionally, owners of model year 2006-2007 3 Series with standard seats, 5 Series with comfort seats, and Z4 models, will receive an extended warranty on their front passenger seat occupant detection mat. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
45.9% repairedof 76,565 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 13V564000
Listed for 2007 BMW 550i. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 07V479000 Filed Oct 12, 2007

ENGINE ELECTRONICS

Engine and engine cooling
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL ATTACH TWO GROUND CABLES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 29, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
Repair progress not yet reported29,250 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 07V479000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (37)

37 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The air bags is mentioned most often.

3involved a crash
1involved a fire
0injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2007 BMW 550i, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 37.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2007 compares with other 550i years

Best and worst 550i years →
2006200720082009201020112012201320142015
This year (2007)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 18 mpg combined

18
mpg combined
15
city
22
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$4,550
CO₂ tailpipe
494 g/mi
EPA class
Midsize Cars

What it costs you to run

$3,628per year
$302per month
833gallons a year

Miles ÷ 18 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2007 BMW 550i configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
4.8 L 8-cyl · 6-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive15 / 22 / 18$4,550494
4.8 L 8-cyl · 6-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive15 / 23 / 18$4,550494
4.8 L 8-cyl · 6-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive14 / 20 / 16$5,150555

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2007 550i for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All 550i years

Where to next

2007 BMW 550i FAQ

How many recalls does the 2007 BMW 550i have?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 13V564000 (air bag), 07V479000 (engine). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2007 BMW 550i problems?

Owners filed 37 complaints with NHTSA. Air bags (8), Exterior lighting (6), Steering (6) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2007 BMW 550i get?

EPA rates the 4.8 L 8-cyl · 6-speed manual version at 15 city, 22 highway and 18 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2007 550i compare with other years?

Among the 2006–2015 BMW 550i model years at least five years old, the 2009 drew the fewest complaints (2) and the 2011 the most (84). The 2007 drew 37. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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