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Service bulletins for the 2013 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.

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

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Bulletins, newest first
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.
3409142018-11-05. Service bulletin. WHEELS. SUBJECT Wheel Speed Sensor Faults Cannot Be Cleared. The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) warning light comes on while driving. The following DSC fault codes for the wheel speed sensors are stored: ? 480712 and/or ? 480715 and/or ? 480718 and/or ? 48071B They cannot be cleared, even though the wheel speed sensors work correctly and no problem can be found with the wiring harness. Due to high outside temperatures and extremely low atmospheric humidity, an electrostatic discharge (ESD) can occur in the wheel well area. This can transfer to the wheel speed sensor, causing irreparable damage to the DSC control unit.
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)
1221142018-11-05. Service bulletin. ENGINE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. SI B12 21 14February 2015 Engine Electrical SystemsTechnical Service This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B12 21 14 dated December 2014. designates changes to this revision SUBJECT Engine Malfunction Warning Illuminated with FC 193208: Fuel Level Plausibility Stored in DME. The customer states that the engine malfunction warning lamp is illuminated, and while filling the fuel tank, the fuel gauge did not show the proper fill level. After the vehicle is driven a short distance, the fuel gauge will update to full. When diagnosed, the following fault is stored in the DME: z FC 193208 Fuel level, plausibility: deviation between consumption and level change Please proceed to the Procedure section. Vehicles with option 610 (Head-Up Display) are not affected. Please follow the ISTA/D test plan for the applicable faults stored in the DME, including the one listed in this bulletin. CAUSE A software error in the instrument cluster causes the fuel gauge to incorrectly update while refilling. The error occurs when the vehicle is powered up after refilling.
1116142018-11-05. Service bulletin. ENGINE. "This Service Information bulletin and attachment supersedes SI B11 16 14 dated January 2015. designates changes to this revision SUBJECT N63 Engine: Check the Timing Chain. INFORMATION This bulletin outlines the procedure for checking the engine timing chains for wear, and should be completed in conjunction with SI B11 06 14, ""N63 Customer Care Package."" The N63CCP and N63 Engine Check the Timing Chain are NOT mandatory Technical Campaigns or Recalls. They should be completed only based on parts availability, workshop capacity, and the customer's schedule. Performing the test plans identified in the procedure below will detect wear at an early stage and, if necessary, provide a repair solution. To avoid future valvetrain wear, the vehicle must be reprogrammed and a shorter oil service interval must be retrofitted via ISTA/P. Finally, drain and replace the engine's oil and filter. After completing all necessary repairs included in the N63 Customer Care Package and the Timing Chain Check, the vehicle must be test driven for up to 30 minutes to ensure that the repairs were performed to the highest standard."
B8406162018-11-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. BMW ONLINE NON-FUNCTIONAL: CHECK ICC-ID IN ACCOUNT. BMW Online/BMW ConnectedDrive not functional. Vehicle and service cockpit have different ICC-ID's.
B8405162018-11-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. BMW ONLINE NON-FUNCTIONAL: CHECK ICC-ID IN ACCOUNT. The ConnectedDrive Services are non-functional after a hardware exchange of the telematics control unit. This is not indicated by CC-message. ConnectedDrive Services not synchronized by Telematics Control Unit.
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.
B5130162018-11-05. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE; STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID. TAILGATE UNINTENTIONALLY OPENS. Trunk/tailgate may open when vehicle is locked. Trunk/tailgate may open while the vehicle is in motion. Usually after stopping, such as a traffic light etc. Vehicle key trunk/tailgate button may accidentally be pressed, thus opening the tailgate.
B5121162018-11-05. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE; VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD. WIND NOISE FROM KIDNEY GRILL. Wind noises/whistling noises from the front end of the vehicle or from the area of the front windshield. CAUSE Air passing through the gap between the front kidney grill and the body on LCI vehicles only. Install foam strips between kidney grills and body
B5116152018-11-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS; ENGINE. "Delivery Stop: Remove Engine Oil Label. Affected vehicles in dealer inventory must not be retailed or delivered until the label is removed. Vehicles at ports of entry will be remedied prior to dealer delivery. On affected vehicles, there is an incorrect label regarding the appropriate engine oil. Affected vehicles can be identified with a ""Vehicle Comment"" in the DCS Warranty Vehicle Inquiry or ISPA Light. https://www.bmwtis.net/tiscode/cgi-bin/bulletin.aspx?sie_path=/tsb/bulletins/htm_store/248...9/3/2016 Page 2 of 2"
B3101122018-11-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; BACK OVER PREVENTION; SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING. CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT AXLE This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI 31 01 12 dated June 2015. Clicking noises are heard from the front axle area while maneuvering at low speeds (e.g., parking lot maneuvers). CAUSE Movement between the contact surfaces of the wheel bearing and swivel bearing (knuckle)
B0112162018-11-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. "N63T PRESSURE SWITCH - LEAK DIAGNOSIS MODULE (NVLD): LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION TO 10 YEARS/120,000 MILES. INFORMATION For the above-referenced vehicles, BMW of North America, LLC (""BMW NA"") is extending the limited warranty for the pressure switch, leak diagnosis module (NVLD) to: 10 years/120,000 miles as determined by the vehicle's original in-service date Recall or Service Action. There is no immediate repair required unless the BMW vehicle is currently experiencing this problem. Customer Notification Letter - VIN and Component-specific Warranty Extension Even though this is NOT a Recall, BMW NA will be sending VIN-specific customer notification letters in a phased release."
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."
B6305162018-11-05. Service bulletin. EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES. "HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES HAVE VISIBLE INTERNAL MOISTURE/CONDENSATION. Water on the inside (A) or misting (B) of both headlight lenses that is visible from outside. Water inside the headlights can be caused by two situations: Water/moisture ingress into the headlight housing. Thermal conditions that result in the formation of condensation. Note: An important indication that the moisture issue is caused by ""condensation"" rather than a ""water leak"" into the headlight housing, there will be misting/condensation in ""both headlights."""
B1113152018-11-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. The plastic oil filter housing may fail and lead to an internal and/or external engine oil or coolant leak.
B1110122018-11-05. Service bulletin. ENGINE. N20 Engine: Repeated Juddering or Surging While Accelerating. The vehicle judders or surges repeatedly while accelerating in hot ambient temperatures between 3,000 RPM and 5,000 RPM. The Service Engine Soon lamp is not illuminated, and no fault codes are stored in the vehicle memory related to this complaint. CAUSE The EPDW (electropneumatic pressure convertor) for the turbocharger wastegate valve is binding internally.
B6621162018-11-05. Service bulletin. ENGINE; LANE DEPARTURE: SENSING SYSTEM: OTHER; SERVICE BRAKES. KAFAS CAMERA-BASED ASSISTANCE SYSTEM LIMITS. INFORMATION The situations described above may all be caused by known limitations of the system such as: Dirty windshield Incomplete calibration process Unsuccessful calibration Restricted visibility- weather conditions or parked vehicles Missing lamps on target vehicle Non-standard vehicle exterior surfaces Insufficient ambient lighting Abrupt motion of target vehicle.
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.
B6524162018-11-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM). "NBT NAVIGATION DOES NOT ROUTE ON TOLL ROADS. NBT Navigation does not provide routes that include certain toll roads. CAUSE Roads that have toll lanes ""without a cash option"" where not utilized for routing in NBT map data versions: NEXT 2015-1 NEXT 2015-2 NEXT 2016-1 As an enhancement, the NEXT 2017-1 map release now provides information about toll lanes ""without cash option"". UPDATE Install new map data."
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.
B3405162018-11-05. Service bulletin. SERVICE BRAKES. CBS BRAKE PAD CALCULATION AND CORRECTION. When a vehicle comes into the workshop for any repair or maintenance job, the bundling calculator recommends a brake maintenance checkup. No brake warning light is illuminated. CBS shows 3,107 miles or slightly higher for the next brake service displayed via Key Reader, or vehicle's Control Display (in Vehicle Info/Status/Service required/Brake pads) CAUSE CBS calculates the remaining brake pad wear based on brake pressure, speed, vehicle specific parameters (i.e. NAO pads), brake temperature as well as cumulative brake application time. Due to variation of these parameters and outside environmental influences, this calculation can deviate from the real brake pad wear. Starting from the above-mentioned production dates of the vehicles indicated, the CBS brake pad wear calculation has been changed, and is now based only on the brake pad wear sensor. Important Note: To avoid a too-slow wear prediction, the CBS brake model will estimate the need for repairs, in some cases, rather early. Calculation will level at 3,107 miles and stay at this value until the CBS brake pad wear sensor is triggered. https://www.bmwtis.net/tiscode/cgi-bin/bulletin.aspx?sie_path=/tsb/bulletins/htm_store/36...11/8/2016 Page 2 of 2 After the sensor is triggered, the CBS mileage will count down indicating to the customer that the brake repairs will be due.
B6616162018-11-05. Service bulletin. STEERING. BUZZING NOISE HEARD COMING FROM STEERING WHEEL. While driving at highway speeds, on older (worn) road surfaces, a buzzing noise is heard coming from the steering wheel. The Lane Departure Warning (LDW) vibration system
B5124162018-11-05. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE. WATER LEAKING INTO REAR COMPARTMENT. Water is found in rear compartment. CAUSE Seal around fuel filler tube (located by red lines) is not effective. Replace cover pot (bowl).

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