CarRecallDB

2013 BMW 550XI recalls and problems

1 recall and 7 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2013 BMW 550XI.

1
recalls
7
owner complaints
0
complaints mentioning a crash
0
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2013 BMW 550XI recalls

Exterior lighting

NHTSA campaign 15V188000 · reported March 31, 2015 · BMW of North America, LLC · 13,443 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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."
The risk
The vehicle may be less visible to other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Nov 1, 2018 · Engine · 67,500 miles

I WAS DRIVING MY BMW 550 XI ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH WHEN I HAD WHAT WAS TERMED BY THE BMW SERVICE TECHNICIAN AS A "CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE". AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT I SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER TO THE DRIVE TRAIN. I IMMEDIATELY HAD TO TAKE EVASIVE ACTION TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT AS ON A BUSY HIGHWAY IN…

Sep 13, 2018 · Latches/locks/linkages

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 550XI. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK WHEN PROMPTED. DURING THE FIRST OCCURRENCE OF THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE REMOTE AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCKED THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND, OVER TIME, THE REMOTE BECAME COMPLETELY INOPERABLE…

Jul 26, 2018 · Engine · 115,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW 550XI. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE EMITTED SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE BMW OF ROANOKE DEALER (2824 FRANKLIN RD SW, ROANOKE, VA 24014, [phone removed]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE STEM SEAL IN THE…

Feb 24, 2018 · Fuel/propulsion system · 76,050 miles

I WOULD BE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND AT A RANDOM TIME IT WOULD JERK VIOLENTLY AND THEN SLOW WHILE IN TRAFFIC ON THE FREEWAY. THE CAR WOULD GO INTO 'LIMP MODE" AND GIVE A 'DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION' ERROR. I RESEARCHED THIS ERROR ONLINE AND IT SEEMED IT COULD BE ANY NUMBER OF THINGS. THE FIRST COUPLE TIMES IT HAPPENED IT…

Sep 18, 2017 · Fuel/propulsion system · 64,000 miles

HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP THE CAR STARTED SHAKING WHILE DRIVING LOST POWER CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE AND KEPT SHAKING. THE CAR WOULD NOT EXCEED 10 MPH AND CREATED A SAFETY ISSUE

550XI model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2013 1700
2014 1000
2016 0200

All BMW 550XI years →

Questions

Does the 2013 BMW 550XI have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2013 BMW 550XI, the most recent reported on March 31, 2015 (Exterior lighting). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 BMW 550XI?
Owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine (2 complaints), followed by fuel/propulsion system (2).
How many 2013 BMW 550XI complaints mention a crash or fire?
0 of 7 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 0 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received November 1, 2018.