Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2008 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 ↗Tail light Failure
- Summary
- BMW is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 528i, 535i, 550i, and M5 passenger cars manufactured from March 1, 2007, through December 31, 2009. Over time, increased resistance at the taillight electrical contact points may cause damage to the ground terminal and housing of the connector resulting in an intermittent or permanent loss of functionality of one or more rear lamp functions (tail, brake, turn-signal, reverse).
- Consequence
- Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear lamp bulb carriers free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
ENGINE ELECTRONICS
- 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.
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 (32)
32 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 32 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 9 | 28.1% |
| Exterior lighting | 7 | 21.9% |
| Air bags | 6 | 18.8% |
| Engine | 5 | 15.6% |
| Seat belts | 4 | 12.5% |
| Power train | 3 | 9.4% |
| Fuel system | 2 | 6.3% |
| Suspension | 2 | 6.3% |
| Tires | 2 | 6.3% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 6.3% |
How 2008 compares with other 550i years
Best and worst 550i years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 23 | 3 |
| 2007 | 37 | 2 |
| 2008 | 32 | 2 |
| 2009 | 2 | 1 |
| 2010 | 11 | 1 |
| 2011 | 84 | 3 |
| 2012 | 35 | 2 |
| 2013 | 15 | 1 |
| 2014 | 6 | 2 |
| 2015 | 6 | 0 |
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
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $4,550
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 494 g/mi
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
What it costs you to run
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
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.8 L 8-cyl · 6-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 22 / 18 | $4,550 | 494 |
| 4.8 L 8-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 23 / 18 | $4,550 | 494 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2008 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.
Where to next
2008 BMW 550i FAQ
How many recalls does the 2008 BMW 550i have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 13V407000 (lighting), 07V479000 (engine). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2008 BMW 550i problems?
Owners filed 32 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (9), Exterior lighting (7), Air bags (6) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2008 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 2008 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 2008 drew 32. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
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.