NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2018–2023

BMW M550i recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 29 owner complaints for the BMW M550i, covering model years 2018 to 2023. The 2018 model year drew the most complaints (23), and Air Bags is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your BMW M550i VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

4 recall campaigns on file
29 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
6 model years with data (2018–2023)

most complaints: 2018 (23 for that model year)
top component: Air Bags (10 complaints)
latest recall 26V525000 (reported Aug 12, 2026)

0 complaints reporting a crash (0.0%)
1 complaint reporting a fire (3.4%)
0 complaints reporting an injury (0.0%)
0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

BMW M550i complaints by model year

5 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2018 model year has the most complaints: 23 of 29, or 79.3%. Next come 2020 (2) and 2022 (2). The fewest are for 2023, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years

BMW M550i complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death

BMW M550i complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model year	Complaints	Reporting a fire
2018	23	1
2020	2	0
2021	1	0
2022	2	0
2023	1	0
All model years	29	1

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported BMW M550i components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Air Bags is the component named most often, in 10 complaints (34.5% of all 29), followed by Seat Belts (6) and Electrical System (4).

Components named most often in BMW M550i complaints (top 15)

Components named most often in BMW M550i complaints (top 15)
Component	Complaints	Share of complaints
Air Bags	10	34.5%
Seat Belts	6	20.7%
Electrical System	4	13.8%
Unknown or Other	4	13.8%
Engine	3	10.3%
Seats	3	10.3%
Structure	3	10.3%
Wheels	3	10.3%
Forward Collision Avoidance	2	6.9%
Lane Departure	2	6.9%
Power Train	2	6.9%
Fuel System, Gasoline	1	3.4%
Latches/Locks/Linkages	1	3.4%
Steering	1	3.4%
Tires	1	3.4%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

BMW M550i recalls

4 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name M550i, newest first. The 4 campaigns cover model years 2018 to 2023. The 2020 and 2021 model years appear in the most campaigns (3 each).

4 recall campaigns

BMW M550i recall campaigns covering each model year
2018: 1 campaign	2019: 1 campaign	2020: 3 campaigns	2021: 3 campaigns	2022: 1 campaign	2023: 1 campaign

Highlighted: the model years with the most campaigns.

NHTSA campaign 26V525000
Reported Aug 12, 2026
Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Model years 2021–2023
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022-2026 840i, 840i xDrive, 2021-2023 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, and 2024-2026 750e xDrive vehicles. The connection between the driveshaft and the rear differential may become damaged, possibly resulting in a loss of power to the rear wheels or a vehicle rollaway.
Consequence:
An unexpected loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash. In addition, a damaged driveshaft can result in a vehicle rollaway if the parking brake is not applied, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy:
Dealers will inspect the connection between the driveshaft and rear axle differential, and apply adhesive or replace the driveshaft and rear axle differential, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 2, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 2, 2026.
Filed by BMW of North America, LLC
NHTSA campaign 21V096000
Reported Feb 19, 2021
Back Over Prevention › Software; Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera
Model years 2020–2021
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, Alpina XB7, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, and 8 Series Coupe, Convertible and Grand Coupe, 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8, 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le, 745Le xDrive, X5 xDrive45e, X3 xDrive30e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 740i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, M760i Drive, M760Li xDrive, 750Li xDrive Alpina, Alpina B7 xDrive, and 2021 4 Series Coupe 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive vehicles. When shifting into Reverse, a small portion of the rearview image may be obscured, or the screen may not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence:
If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy:
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Filed by BMW of North America, LLC
NHTSA campaign 20V598000
Reported Sep 30, 2020
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera
Model years 2020–2021
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 X3 sDrive 30i, X3 xDrive 30i, X3M 40i, X3 xDrive 30e, X4 xDrive 30i, X4M 40i, 530i, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 550e, 550e xDrive, and 550e iPerformance vehicles. A small portion of the rearview image may be slightly obscured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence:
If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy:
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, program the rearview camera with updated software. The recall began November 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Filed by BMW of North America, LLC
NHTSA campaign 19V684000
Reported Sep 27, 2019
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera
Model years 2018–2020
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Convertible and Coupe 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, X5 sDrive, X5 xDrive, X5 M50i, X6 xDrive, X6 M50i, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, Z4 sDrive, Z4 M40i, 740Le xDrive and 745Le xDrive, 2018-2019 640i xDrive Gran Turismo and Rolls-Royce Phantom, 2019 M850i xDrive Gran Coupe and Rolls-Royce Cullinan and 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Consequence:
The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy:
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
Filed by BMW of North America, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means

What each recall field means
Field	What it tells you
Campaign number	NHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
Component	The system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
Summary	What the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
Consequence	The safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
Remedy	What the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.

Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

BMW M550i questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the BMW M550i have?

NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recall campaigns for the BMW M550i, covering model years 2018 to 2023. The most recent, 26V525000, was reported on August 12, 2026 and is filed under “Power train”. The 2020 and 2021 model years are covered by the most campaigns (3 each).

Which BMW M550i model year has the most complaints?

The 2018 model year, with 23 of the 29 complaints in NHTSA’s file (79.3%). The next are 2020 (2) and 2022 (2). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common BMW M550i complaint?

Air Bags is the component named most often: 10 complaints, or 34.5% of all 29. Seat Belts (6) and Electrical System (4) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my BMW M550i?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a BMW dealer.

How many BMW M550i complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 29 complaints, 0 report a crash, 1 a fire, 0 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

8 models · most complaints first

The BMW models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the BMW VIN decoder with every BMW model page, WMI code and VIN note.

BMW X5 1999–2026 · 103 recalls · 3,138 complaints
BMW 328i 1996–2016 · 27 recalls · 2,576 complaints
BMW X3 2004–2026 · 60 recalls · 1,989 complaints
BMW 325i 1995–2012 · 20 recalls · 1,281 complaints
BMW Z4 2002–2023 · 28 recalls · 1,280 complaints
BMW 3 Series 1995–2023 · 8 recalls · 841 complaints
BMW 528i 1997–2016 · 14 recalls · 831 complaints
BMW 330i 1999–2026 · 38 recalls · 813 complaints

All BMW models and WMI codes Look up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.