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Service bulletins for the 2016 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.

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

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Bulletins, newest first
B8403112018-11-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. "?Telematics Device Spares Replacement Part Activation via DCSnet for BMW Assist What's New: ? Model: All models added along with 6AC option code ? Situation: All information added ? Information: Deleted CDMA related information and added activation of Wi-Fi control unit ? Procedure: Added "Note" regarding ConnectedDrive support hotline information . A replacement telematics control unit must only be activated for vehicles with an active BMW Assist subscription. Note: 2G CDMA and 2G GSM telematics control units cannot be activated because they are no longer supported and the supporting network(s) have been decommissioned. INFORMATION The following changes have taken place: All Telematics control unit replacements must be activated by Part managers via the DCSnet application. New steps included in the procedure for activating Telematics control unit replacements for vehicles equipped with Wi-Fi Hotspot (6WD)."
B6507172018-11-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. "LIST OF AVAILABLE FM RADIO STATIONS TEMPORARILY NOT AVAILABLE. INFORMATION As of 11/2015, all Entry-NAV/Media head units supplied in new vehicles were upgraded for improved noise characteristics and quality. As a part of this upgrade, the hardware updating the sender lists was changed from an "update after every diversity reception interruption or maximum of four minutes" configuration to "regular interval updates (every four minutes) without regard to diversity reception status" configuration. This may cause a delay of up to four minutes for updates to the sender list when leaving areas of poor reception. The last received transmitter, before the entrance into underground car parking or a tunnel, is still received and will show station identification. This fixed interval update does not apply to Traffic Message Channel updates which remain active. This new equipment operation pattern may be noticed by the customer after replacement of their Head unit. All replacement Head units delivered since 01/2016 have the upgraded design. An immediate solution would be for the customer to select one of their stored favorite stations via the menu or favorites buttons. PARTS INFORMATION Parts exchange or a software update are not effective or approved for this situation. WARRANTY INFORMATION Not applicable."
B6130142018-11-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. "?BMW Maintenance Program: 12-Volt Battery Replacement Measure What's new: ? "Models" updated: Model Year 2017 vehicles added ? "Models" updated: Model Year G12 (7 Series) excluded from program ? "Procedure" updated: N63R engine added to 2016 Model Year G12 (7 Series) ? Attachment updated with G12 (7 Series) production date range for 2016 Model Year. 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."
B1303152018-11-05. Service bulletin. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. ?N20, N26, N55, N63TU, S63TU and S55 Engines: Bosch Injector ETK Part Number Error What's New: ? Identifying the injector type using the ISTA test plan ? Determining the injector part number using the new the parts table. The current version of the ETK incorporates multiple part number errors for the Bosch type injectors. Ordering the injectors by VIN number or manual identification in ETK may result in an incorrect part number.
B6506162018-11-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ?NBT HEAD UNIT ABORTS IMPORT OF CD Whats New: ? G12 (7 Series) removed ? I01 (i3) removed ? Warranty Section updated for removal of G12 and I01 . While importing a CD to the internal music collection of an NBT head unit the process aborts. You will see 'import error' on the radio display when this occurs. NBT Head Unit software
B6309162018-11-05. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EXTERIOR LIGHTING. ?TAILLIGHT FLICKER WHEN TURN SIGNAL AND BRAKE LIGHT ACTIVE . Taillight flickers when turn signal and brake light are active; see video in this link: tinyurl.com/zmr65st When the following preconditions occur simultaneously: Engine on (idle). Tail light active (switched on). Brake light active (through actuation of the brake pedal). Turn signal active (switched on). Current fluctuations reduce the voltage to the tail light.
B1303152018-11-05. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. N20, N26, N55, N63TU, S63TU and S55 Engines: Bosch Injector ETK Part Number Error What's New: ? Procedure change: indentifying injector type using an ISTA test plan. . The current version of the ETK incorporates multiple part number errors for the Bosch type injectors. Ordering the injectors by VIN number or manual identification in ETK may result in an incorrect part number.
B1112162018-11-05. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. ?SERVICE ACTION: SERVICE ACTION: N63T ENGINE CHECK AND REPLACE THE CRANKCASE VENTILATION HOSES What's New: ? Defect Code format updated ? Consequential Additional Repair(s) statement added ? Overlapping Labor Procedure statement added . The crankcase ventilation hoses may become brittle and break when they come in contact with hot engine components. One or more of the crankcase ventilation hoses are not FPM rubber material. The FPM rubber material is engine heat resistant. Or The plastic coggurated hoses are not fitted with the self-locking spacers. The self-locking spacers maintain an air gap between the hoses and the hot engine components.
B1111152018-11-05. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. ?SERVICE ACTION: REPLACE THE THERMOSTAT What's New: ? Part number and quantity of coolant has been updated. Refer to the Warranty section for details. . The Service Engine Soon light is on with corresponding fault codes in the DME for the engine thermostat.
B1803102018-11-05. Service bulletin. ENGINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM. "? NO REGENERATION OF THE DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B18 03 10 dated November 2010. . The Service Engine Soon lamp is illuminated. The following fault codes may be stored in the DDE: N47T/N57T engine 245700 - Particle filter system: particulate filter highly loaded (Exhaust backpressure high) 245800 - particle filter system - filter is heavily contaminated. (exhaust backpressure is above maximum) M57Y engine 480A Particle filter system - filter is heavily contaminated. (exhaust backpressure is too high) 481A Particle filter system - filter is heavily contaminated. (exhaust backpressure is above maximum) CAUSE 1. Faults with the exhaust system that affect the monitoring of the DPF by the DDE 2. Unfavorable recent driving profile INFORMATIOM During normal driving, there is a continuous regeneration of the diesel particulate filter that takes place at exhaust-gas temperatures between 280 and 350°C (slower oxidation process). The soot particles can only be burned off when the required exhaust-gas temperature has been reached. Under certain driving conditions (i.e., prolonged short trips or an exhaust system which never reaches soot burn-off temperatures), the DPF can become restricted. The DDE will initiate periodic regeneration automatically, at the latest after 600 miles. In vehicles making many short distance journeys, periodic regeneration takes place after only 250-500 miles. The Digital Diesel Electronics control unit evaluates the time for periodic regeneration from the following values: average distance driven average driving speed temperature in the diesel particulate filter values from the exhaust pressure sensor The DDE initiates the regeneration process by decreasing incoming air by the throttle valve, and one or two post injections are executed. This heats the exhaust-gas temperature to approx. 600° C . When the exhaust temp reaches this point: The soot is burned off with the residual oxygen. The
B1801172018-11-05. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM; ENGINE. "? DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) CLEANING . The following performance issues may be noticed by the customer: CC-Message ""Drive faulty"" Engine jerking or a lack of power over the whole engine speed range Malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) is illuminated The following fault codes may be stored in the DDE: N47T/N57T engine Main Faults: 245700 - Particle filter system: particulate filter highly loaded (Exhaust backpressure high) 258300 - Exhaust backpressure sensor, Signal: Signal too high Secondary Faults: 244C00 - Charging pressure control, control deviation: charging pressure too low/positive deviation 25DA00 - Exhaust gas difference pressure sensor particle filter, Signal: short circuit to plus pole M57Y engine Main Faults: 480A particle filter system 481A particle filter system Secondary Faults: 4530 charging pressure control, control deviation 429A charging pressure control low pressure stage, control deviation Clogged DPF."
B1117152018-11-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ENGINE. "?N63, N63TU, N63R, S63 AND S63TU ENGINES: UPPER OIL PAN REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B11 17 15 dated October 2016. . INFORMATION When removing and/or installing the engine upper oil pan assembly, the oil pan can sustain damage if this operation is not performed correctly. Before loosening or tightening the engine upper oil pan refer to the newly released Repair Instruction 11 13 010 ""Removing and installing/replacing upper oil sump"" in ISTA/D 3.55.2 or higher for the proper procedures. IMPORTANT: The new repair instructions will state one of the following before reinstalling the upper engine oil pan. ""All threads must be cleaned with screw tap"" Or ""Clean all threads with screw tap. Order number 81 43 0 402 559"" Or ""Clean all threads with a thread cutter"". The current repair instruction terminology will be modified to include this information."
B1101172018-11-05. Service bulletin. ENGINE. ?N63T AND S63T ENGINE: VALVE SEAL REPLACEMENT . This SI provides a new tool and a new procedure for the N63TU valve seals replacement. Please refer to the following applicable SIBs before replacing the valve seals. SI B11 07 11 - Turbocharger Failure: Oil Supply and Return Line Blockage and Proper Repairs SI B11 01 13 - N63 and N63TU Engines: Engine Oil Consumption, Engine Oil Top-ups and Refill Capacity SI B11 03 13 - Engine Oil Consumption (all models) SI B11 04 13 - N63TU Engine: Engine Oil Consumption If the valve seals are leaking, one of the following will help determine if the seals should be replaced. Smoke from the tailpipe when starting or aggressively accelerating and decelerating the engine Excessive engine oil consumption Spark plugs fouled with engine oil.
B8402142018-10-09. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. CONNECTEDDRIVE/BMW ASSIST SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS INFORMATION: ConnectedDrive/BMW Assist features are partially or completely inoperative.
B6507092018-10-09. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM). NAVIGATION SYSTEM: REPORTING MISSING OR INCORRECT ROAD MAP DATA: The route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain addresses, for instance:
B5203182018-10-09. Service bulletin. SEATS. MEMORY SEAT ADJUSTMENT IS LIMITED: After programming the vehicle with ISTA 4.10.2x, the adjustment range of the memory seat may restricted.
B8406162018-08-06. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. BMW ONLINE NON-FUNCTIONAL: CHECK ICC-ID IN ACCOUNT: BMW Online/BMW ConnectedDrive not functional.
B6507092018-08-06. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM). NAVIGATION SYSTEM: REPORTING MISSING OR INCORRECT ROAD MAP DATA: The route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain addresses, for instance:
B8403142018-07-16. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. Bluetooth Connection Failures: There are various connectivity failures with the following devices: Apple iPhones: Samsung S6 and the S6 Edge.
B6608142018-07-16. Service bulletin. BACK OVER PREVENTION. Side View Camera Does Not Display Picture.
B5130162018-07-16. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE. TAILGATE UNINTENTIONALLY OPENS: Trunk/tailgate may open when vehicle is locked.
B3101122018-07-16. Service bulletin. STEERING; POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY. CRACKING NOISES FROM THE FRONT AXLE AREA WHILE TURNING THE WHEELS, WHEN STATIONARY OR PARKING: Cracking noises are heard from the front axle area while maneuvering at low speeds (e.g., parking lot maneuvers) or when turning the steering wheel while stationary.
B1101172018-07-16. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. N63T AND S63T ENGINE: VALVE SEAL REPLACEMENT: This SI provides a new tool and a new procedure for the N63TU valve seals replacement.
B6605182018-05-21. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. COMFORT ACCESS SPORADICALLY INACTIVE VIA DOOR HANDLE: Sporadically, CA (Comfort Access) locking or unlocking of the vehicle does not work via the door handles.
B6212152018-05-21. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE DISPLAY IMPLAUSIBLE: In the Instrument Cluster (Kombi) display you may observe an implausible outside temperature reading.

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