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Service bulletins for the 2011 BMW 550i

A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.

407 on file from NHTSA, as of 2026-10-19.

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Only bulletins with component: Electrical system are shown. Show all

Bulletins, newest first
6524132018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Headunit-High: INITIAL Enabling Code Is Not Accepted Via I-Drive. INFORMATION Do not replace any parts. NOTE: First time activation of the navigation system should always be performed during the Quality Certification 1 (QC1) Pre-Delivery Check, with the vehicle connected to the diagnosis system ISTA. Refer to SI B65 30 09. Connect the vehicle to the diagnosis system ISTA and activate the navigation system. The code is entered when running the QC1 Pre-Delivery Check test module. Refer to SI B09 04 09. IMPORTANT: No programming is required. WARRANTY INFORMATION Not applicable since the first time activation of the navigation system is part of the QC1 process and cannot be claimed separately.
6201142018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; LANE DEPARTURE. M Vehicles with Head-Up Display: M View Display Is Incomplete. Since the vehicle was programmed with ISTA/P 2.50.2 or higher (F10/F12/F13 - New integration level: F010-1307-504 or higher), the M view in the Head-up Display (HUD) is not completely displayed. * The lower part of the gear indicator number is not displayed. * Sporadically the current speed information (mph) is not completely displayed. Application error between the lane departure warning control unit and the head-up display through software update with ISAT/P 2.50.2 or higher
6122132018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. """Increased battery discharge!"" CC Message upon Startup. CAUSE A software error in the Intelligent Battery Sensor causes an incorrect State of Charge (SoC) to be stored in the DME. The power management system then interprets this as a heavily discharged battery and informs the customer via a CC message. In reality, the battery does not have a problem."
B6212152018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL. Instrument Cluster Outside Temperature Display Implausible. INFORMATION This service information bulletin provides technical, diagnostic and/or repair-related information. Eligible and Covered Work/Repairs To submit a claim for the repair of a verified defect in materials or workmanship, please following the established and applicable warranty policy and procedures together with the using corresponding defect code and labor operations provided in the KSD2.
B6130142018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. "?SI B61 30 14December 2015 General Electrical SystemsTechnical Service This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B61 30 14 dated July 2015. designates changes to this revision SUBJECT BMW Maintenance Program: 12-Volt Battery Replacement Measure. INFORMATION This bulletin outlines a customer satisfaction measure that has been designed exclusively for the BMW vehicles listed above. It involves the replacement of the 12-volt battery as a preventive maintenance measure. This 12-volt battery replacement measure is: Effective for repairs dated on or after January 1, 2015. Applicable to vehicles that are still covered by the BMW Maintenance Program. This program is valid for 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever occurs first. The calculation is based on the current date of repair. It is ""applicable"" when the 12volt battery was not replaced within the last 12 months. You can then perform the battery replacement as outlined below. Please check the warranty claim history for the specific vehicle in the DCSnet Warranty Vehicle Inquiry to confirm the battery was not already replaced within the previous 12 months. "
B1609152018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. SI B16 09 15 Fuel Supply Systems. December 2015 Technical Service. This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI 26 01 15 dated November 2015. The wrong temperature sensor for the Natural Vacuum Leak Detection (NVLD) may have been installed.
B6509152018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. HU-H: Headunit Resets Intermittently or Permanently. The HU-H (Headunit-High) resets intermittently or permanently. ? The display is inoperative and there is no audio output ? Automatic system start-up after a couple of seconds CAUSE Software error in the HU-H
B6210152018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL. "Instrument Cluster display inoperative FC B7F689. The Instrument Cluster (Kombi) is intermittently inoperative with fault code B7F689 ""display backlighting and graphics PCB switched off"" stored. Kombi software."
B6207152018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. "Instrument Cluster display is partially blank. INFORMATION Covered under the terms of the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks or the BMW Certified Pre-Owned Program. If you are using a Main labor code for another repair, use the Plus code labor operation 00 00 556 instead. Refer to KSD2 for the corresponding flat rate unit (FRU) allowances. Vehicle Programming and Encoding If a control module was working properly and it fails to program correctly or requires initialization, please claim this additional work with the applicable KSD2 labor operations under the defect code listed above. The diagnosis and repair of vehicles ""arriving"" with failed control modules or stored faults which will cause them to fail during programming cannot be claimed under the defect code listed in this bulletin. Other Repairs If other eligible and covered work is performed ""prior"" to programming and coding the vehicle, claim this work with the applicable defect code and labor operations listed in KSD2. "
B6207152018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL. Instrument Cluster display is partially blank. The Instrument Cluster (Kombi) lower display may be intermittently blank. The Board Computer, Ambient Temperature and Check Control Messages will not display. Instrument Cluster software error.
B6130142018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY. "BMW Maintenance Program: 12-Volt Battery Replacement Measure. INFORMATION This bulletin outlines a customer satisfaction measure that has been designed exclusively for the BMW vehicles listed above. It involves the replacement of the 12-volt battery as a preventive maintenance measure. This 12-volt battery replacement measure is: ? Effective for repairs dated on or after January 1, 2015. ? Applicable to vehicles that are still covered by the BMW Maintenance Program. This program is valid for 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever occurs first. ? The calculation is based on the current date of repair. It is ""applicable"" when the 12-volt battery was not replaced within the last 12 months. You can then perform the battery replacement as outlined below. Please check the warranty claim history for the specific vehicle in the DCSnet Warranty Vehicle Inquiry to confirm the battery was not already replaced within the previous 12 months."
B1210152018-11-13. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. "SI B12 10 15 Engine Electrical Systems March 2015 Technical Service This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B12 10 15 dated January 2015. designates changes to this revision SUBJECT N63: CBS Oil Service Conversion in ISTA/P. The CBS oil service conversion performed for the N63 Customer Car Package and timing chain check (SI B11 16 14) did not work correctly with ISTA/P 3.54.x or 3.55.0. It did not change the interval to the desired 12 months/10,000 miles for the vehicles listed above in the specified production ranges. The ""Conversion, oil service 12 months/15,000 km/10,000 miles"" is working properly for all other N63 vehicles produced after these dates. Incorrect coding data in the affected ISTA/P versions"
6103132018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY. "This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B61 03 13 dated August 2013. designates changes to this revision SUBJECT High Battery Discharge Warning: Battery Needs Replacement. After the vehicle is started, a Check Control message ""High Battery Discharge Warning"" is displayed in the Central Information Display (CID). Various power supply and power management faults are stored, including the following: CAS - ""930769 Deactivation of terminal 15: upper startability limit reached"" CAS - ""93076A Deactivation of terminal 15: upper startability limit reached, but deactivation preventer or legal load/consumer active"" CAS - ""93076B Deactivation of terminal 30B: upper startability limit reached"" CAS - ""93076C Deactivation of terminal 30B: upper startability limit reached, but deactivation preventer or legal load/consumer active"" JBE - ""8020E8 Reset or deactivation of terminal 30F"" DME - ""213901 Power management: reduction or deactivation of individual electrical loads/consumers"" CAUSE The battery has become heavily discharged or is faulty. The following reasons can contribute to a prematurely failing battery: z Unfavorable driving profile - excessive short trips z Excessive terminal 30B after run - normal coolant pump or electric fan operation z Extremely cold temperatures z Vehicle faults - closed circuit draw, sleep mode preventer or frequent wakeups."
1204152018-11-13. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE. SUBJECT DME Internal and Valvetronic Faults Set at Cold Ambient Temperatures. The Service Engine Soon light (MIL) can be illuminated with the erroneous internal and Valvetronic faults stored in the DME. The MIL will only come on if the fault has been detected on two (or more) consecutive drive cycles. The following fault codes may be stored in the DME: E Seriesz 36AE - DME, internal fault, Valvetronic: Current implausible One or more of the following secondary faults may also be stored: z 2DE2 - Valvetronic, actuation, voltage phase: Line disconnection z 2DE3 - Valvetronic, actuation, volt phase: Line disconnection z 2DE4 - Valvetronic, actuation, volt phase: Line disconnection F Seriesz 1F0905 - DME, internal fault, Valvetronic: Current implausible One or more of the following secondary faults may also be stored: z 135B10 - Valvetronic, actuation, voltage phase: Line disconnection z 135B11 - Valvetronic, actuation, volt phase: Line disconnection z 135B12 - Valvetronic, actuation, volt phase: Line disconnection Engine performance and driving characteristics are not affected. DME software diagnostic sensitivity.
B1210162018-11-13. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. "N63T - Drivetrain Malfunction Message after Driving for Several Hours This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B12 10 16 dated April 2016. ""Drivetrain Malfunction"" message displayed with reduced engine power. Erroneous misfire faults may be stored for cylinders 3 and 6. The situation is most likely to occur after driving for several hours at constant highway speeds with light throttle (low load and low engine speed). Cycling ignition off and back on again clears the ""Drivetrain Malfunction"" warning DME software (plausibility check error)."
B6604152018-11-05. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK; LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK. Trunk Lid Does Not Operate with Remote After Programming. If the customer profile is assigned to only unlock the driver door after programming with ISTA/P 3.55.x, the trunk will not open with the remote. CAUSE Coding error in CAS (Car Access System) for trunk locking
B6103142018-11-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Check Control Messages Related to Battery Charge During Cold Ambient Temperatures. On cold days with an outside ambient temperature of less than 15°F, customers may notice a check control message related to the battery that is displayed on the instrument cluster and the control information display. Under these conditions, the vehicle starts. Various power management faults can occur. The check control message (ID 229) is caused by a heavily discharged battery. ? The check control message is triggered when the current state of charge (SoC) of the battery approaches the minimum SoC that is required to start the vehicle (start capability limit). ? In low outside ambient temperatures, the start capability limit of the vehicle is higher. Therefore it takes more energy from the battery to start a cold engine. ? Without the early warning of the check control message, the current state of charge would drop below the start capability limit and the vehicle would not start. ? The vehicle's intelligent power management system actively takes measures to increase the charge of the battery, such as increasing idle speed and reducing or shutting down certain electrical consumers.
6130142018-11-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. "SI B61 30 14February 2015 General Electrical SystemsTechnical Service This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B61 30 14 dated January 2015. designates changes to this revision SUBJECT BMW Maintenance Program: 12-Volt Battery Replacement Measure. INFORMATION This bulletin outlines a customer satisfaction measure that has been designed exclusively for the BMW vehicles listed above. It involves the replacement of the 12-volt battery as a preventive maintenance measure. This 12-volt battery replacement measure is: ? Effective for repairs dated on or after January 1, 2015. ? Applicable to vehicles that are still covered by the BMW Maintenance Program. This program is valid for 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever occurs first. ? The calculation is based on the current date of repair. It is ""applicable"" when the 12-volt battery was not replaced within the last 12 months. You can then perform the battery replacement as outlined below. Please check the warranty claim history for the specific vehicle in the DCSnet Warranty Vehicle Inquiry to confirm the battery was not already replaced within the previous 12 months."
6103142018-11-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN. Check Control Messages Related to Battery Charge During Cold Ambient Temperatures. On cold days with an outside ambient temperature of less than 15°F, customers may notice a check control message related to the battery that is displayed on the instrument cluster and the control information display. Under these conditions, the vehicle starts. Various power management faults can be stored. When the outside temperatures drop below 46°F, the charging system is switch to full charge. CAUSE ? The check control message (ID 229) is caused by a heavily discharged battery. ? The check control message is triggered when the current state of charge (SoC) of the battery approaches the minimum SoC that is required to start the vehicle (start capability limit). ? In low outside ambient temperatures, the start capability limit of the vehicle is higher. Therefore it takes more energy from the battery to start a cold engine. ? Without the early warning of the check control message, the current state of charge would drop below the start capability limit and the vehicle would not start. ? The vehicle's intelligent power management system actively takes measures to increase the charge of the battery, such as increasing idle speed and reducing or shutting down certain electrical consumers.
2702132018-11-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN. SI B27 02 13February 2015 Intermediate and Special Transmission Technical Service This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B27 02 13 dated June 2013. designates changes to this revision SUBJECT Knocking Noise from Driveline During Low-speed Turning. A cracking or knocking noise is heard from the driveline on sharp turns at low driving speeds (<15 mph). CAUSE Software calibration error in the transfer case control unit (Longitudinal Torque Module or LMV)
B6618162018-11-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. INFORMATION ON THE OPERATION OF THE SMART OPENER. INFORMATION ON THE OPERATION OF THE SMART OPENER MODEL F07 (5 Series Gran Turismo) F10 (5 Series) F12 (6 Series Convertible) F13 (6 Series Coupe) F15 (X5) F16 (X6) F22 (2 Series Coupe) F23 ( 2 Series Convertible) F25 (X3) F26 (X4) F30 (3 Series Sedan) F31 (3 Series Wagon) F32 (4 Series Coupe) F33 (4 Series Convertible) F34 (3 Series Gran Turismo) F36 (4 Series Gran Coupe) F48 (X1) F80 (M3 Sedan) F82 (M4 Coupe) F83 (M4 Convertible) F85 (X5 M) F86 (X6 M) G12 (7 Series) I01 (i3 Series) Vehicles with option code SA-0322 (Comfort Access) without M-Sport trim INFORMATION The smart opener (Contactless tailgate) operates as described below: Ignition key must be within 3 feet behind the vehicle, clear from any interference like a smartphone The customer must be at least an arms-length behind the vehicle Kick your foot forwards & backwards under the vehicle in one quick movement The taillights flash confirming that the trunk will open The trunk then successfully opens For more information an instructional video can be viewed which demonstrates the operation. Thanks to BMW of Tenafly for providing the video. tinyurl.com/Autotrunk1 https://www.bmwtis.net/tiscode/cgi-bin/bulletin.aspx?sie_path=/tsb/bulletins/htm_store/358...9/3/2016 Page 2 of 2 WARRANTY INFORMATION Not applicable. [ Copyright (c)2016 BMW of North America, Inc. ] https://www.bmwtis.net/tiscode/cgi-bin/bulletin.aspx?sie_path=/tsb/bulletins/htm_store/358...9/3/2016
B6613162018-11-05. Service bulletin. LANE DEPARTURE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. Erroneous Blind Spot Warnings. Orange triangle warning indicator, on exterior mirror, sporadically appears when there is no vehicle in warning zone. Control unit software error.
B6526162018-11-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. "USB DEVICE IS NOT DETECTED BY CHAMP2 HEAD UNIT. Media connected to the USB connector is not recognized by the audio system. Playback of files from the media is not possible. Message displayed on the audio system display: ""Title cannot be reproduced"" ""Is being read"" (but never plays back any audio) CAUSE Media with data files stored in more than 32 directories or 32 subdirectories within a directory. Media with a large number of files. Media exceeds total storage capacity of 32 GB."
B6525162018-11-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY. USB CABLE: BATTERY DISCHARGE/AUDIO FAILURE/RADIO RECEPTION. No sound from the radio, telephone, gong signal and or PDC. Poor radio reception and failure of the telematics systems. Possible Check Control system message: o Battery discharge when engine off. o Caution, no acoustic warning signals. Non BMW approved (third-party supplier) USB cable plugged into the USB port.
B6523162018-11-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.. ?AUDIO VOLUME NOT RESTORED AFTER MSA STOP, ENTRY HEAD UNIT. Volume of audio system (when set to near maximum) is reduced when Auto Start-Stop (MSA) stop occurs and is not restored upon automatic engine restart. This is normal system behavior - serves to protect the head unit, battery drain and avoidance of incremental leaps in the loudness. The loudness is reduced to 2/3 of maximum and is not restored. Note: Air conditioning output is also reduced upon MSA stop and is not restored for similar reasons.

The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.