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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
B2703152018-12-10. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN. Vibration or Shudder from Driveline when Accelerating from a Stop. Chassis stabilization warning is displayed. Vehicle may exhibit a shudder or vibration when taking off from a stop. One or more of the following fault codes may be stored: LMV ? 440101 - Transfer box (VTG): End of transmission service life reached ? 440105 - Transfer box (VTG ) Calibration Faulty ? 440115 - Transfer box (VTG): Calibration angle deviation outside tolerance? 44011B - Set torque outside of the torque characteristic curve EGS ? 420611 - DSC interface (wheel speed): non-permitted deviation of wheel speed (actual speed of wheel RL/FL/RR/FR, 0x254) from output speed and turbine speed DSC ? 48097D - Transfer box: Fault, clutch position known, only rear-wheel drive These symptoms or faults would be stored on a vehicle with low mileage (< 12,500 miles). CAUSE A front or rear differential with the incorrect gear ratio was installed in the car. The front and rear differentials need to be geared exactly the same for the xDrive to function properly.
B1113152018-12-10. Service bulletin. ENGINE. The plastic oil filter housing may fail and lead to an internal and/or external engine oil or coolant leak.
B1111152018-12-10. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. Service Action: Replace the Thermostat. The Service Engine Soon light is on with corresponding fault codes in the DME for the engine thermostat.
B6210162018-12-10. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. HeadUp Display does not Show Full Street Names. INFORMATION Design of the HUD has limited display area. (It can only show a certain number of text characters). NOTE: Parts replacement or programming the vehicle will not recitify the situation!
B6130142018-12-10. 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 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."
B1205162018-12-10. Service bulletin. ENGINE; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. "N55 - ENGINE MALFUNCTION WARNING DUE TO VAPOR FORMING IN THE FUEL SYSTEM This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B12 05 16 dated April 2016. The Engine ""Drivetrain Malfunction"" Check Control warning is displayed and the Service Engine Soon (MIL) Lamp may also be on. In areas where winterized fuel is used, this situation may occur after prolonged periods of engine idling or ""stop and go"" driving. Additional symptoms that may be present: rough running poor engine performance difficulty in starting the engine. Either or both of the following fault codes can be stored in the DME. 11A002 - Fuel high pressure, plausibility: Pressure too low 11AC02 - Fuel high pressure, plausibility, cold start: Pressure too low In addition any of the following faults may also be stored: 119404 - Rail pressure sensor, signal: Permanently stuck 118001 - Mixture control: mixture too lean 118401 - Mixture control: mixture too lean; large deviation Vapor formation in the fuel system from fuel quality characteristics of certain winter fuel blends along with high engine compartment temperatures."
B1107162018-12-10. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE; ENGINE. Diesel Engine: Intake Manifold Damaged. The Service Engine Soon light is on. There may also be: Complaints of lack of engine performance An exhaust smell coming from the engine area. The following fault codes may be stored in the DDE: 24CE00 - Hot film air mass meter: Ratio of measured to calculated air mass too high 27F000 - Charge air hose monitoring in idle: Charge air hose fallen down 290900 - Air system, air to EGR air mass flow plausibility: Measured air mass compared to calculated air mass too high 290A00 - Air system, air to EGR air mass flow plausibility: measured air mass compared to calculated air mass too high and high charging pressure control deviation 1. Excessive thermal load from the EGR system on the intake components 2. An excessive or unmetered air leak in the intake/charge air system
B8403142018-12-10. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL; EQUIPMENT. Bluetooth Connection Failures. There are various connectivity failures with the following devices: Apple iPhones Samsung S6 and the S6 Edge. Connectivity failure examples are: Call disconnection - Call is transferred back to the handset. In some instances the call is then transferred back to the vehicle. Contact List incomplete General connection failures Apple iOS software (issue started with iOS 8.3 continues with iOS 9.x and its variants) Samsung S6 and S6 Edge device firmware.
B6609162018-12-10. Service bulletin. VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL; EQUIPMENT; FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL. """Collision Warning Failed"" or ""Pedestrian Warning Failed"" CCM Display. While driving, a Check Control Message (CCM) is displayed advising of the following: Front collision warning failed Pedestrian detection failed The following fault code is stored in the KAFAS (Camera-based Driver Assistance System): 0X800AC4 - Camera calibration failed The KAFAS camera is not properly mounted and secured to the mounting bracket on the windshield; And/ or: The mounting bracket glued to the windshield is not installed correctly. The pictures below show both incorrect and correct installation. This picture shows the KAFAS camera installed in the bracket. Notice the spacing highlighted by the ""green lines"""
B6512162018-12-10. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM). Integrated Navigation Voice Not Loud Enough. Integrated Navigation voice guidance is not loud enough to be heard over loud music. Software error in the CHAMP2 Head Unit.
B6208162018-12-10. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM; ENGINE. Incomplete AdBlue Check Control Message (CCM) on the Central Information Display. An incorrectly displayed AdBlue (Diesel Exhaust Fluid refill range) CCM is shown on the Central Information Display. Improper instrument cluster software
B6207162018-12-10. Service bulletin. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. Unintentional Active ECO-PRO Bonus Miles Reset. Fluctations of fuel level (causing resistance changes in the level sensor) while vehicle is stationary, are interpreted as refueling. This causes active ECO PRO mode bonus range to reset. Error in instrument cluster application.
B3701152018-12-10. Service bulletin. SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM. Service Action: Replace Left Rear Air Spring. Torsional stress can cause the threaded fabric of the left air spring bellow to rupture and lose its airtightness. If the air spring is not airtight, the vehicle will lean on one side.
B3206162018-12-10. Service bulletin. STEERING. Troubleshooting intermittent Steering Assistance with Electric Power Steering (EPS). Intermittent steering assistance failure CAUSE The power supply of the EPS control unit.
B1117152018-12-10. Service bulletin. ENGINE; EQUIPMENT. "N63, N63TU and N63R Engines: Upper Oil Pan Removal and Installation Repair Instructions This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B11 17 15 dated August 2015.. 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 3.55.11 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."
B1109162018-12-10. Service bulletin. POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:BELL HOUSING; POWER TRAIN. N63, N63TU, S63 and S63TU Engines: Oil Leak from the Rear of the Engine and Transmission Bell Housing. Customer complains that engine oil is leaking from the center of the vehicle. When verified, the engine oil residue can be seen leaking from between the engine and the transmission bell housing.
B8407152018-12-10. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. SOS Malfunction Is Displayed In Kombi Sporadically. After engine start-up, a CCM (Check Control Message) for SOS malfunction is displayed in the Kombi and in the CID (Central Information Display). One or more of the fault codes below may be stored in the TCB or Combox control unit: 0xB7F32B - GSM Antenna: Open Circuit 0xB7F31F - GSM Antenna: Short to ground 0xB7F31E - GSM Antenna: Open Circuit A signal error is identified during the aerial self-test performed by the TCB (Telematic Control Box or the Combox).
B1205162018-12-10. Service bulletin. ENGINE. "N55 - Engine Malfunction Warning Due to Vapor Forming in the Fuel System. The Engine Drivetrain Malfunction"" Check Control warning is displayed and the Service Engine Soon (MIL) Lamp may also be on. In areas where winterized fuel is used, this situation may occur after prolonged periods of engine idling or ""stop and go"" driving. Additional symptoms that may be present: rough running poor engine performance difficulty in starting the engine. Either or both of the following fault codes can be stored in the DME. 11A002 - Fuel high pressure, plausibility: Pressure too low 11AC02 - Fuel high pressure, plausibility, cold start: Pressure too low In addition any of the following faults may also be stored: 119404 - Rail pressure sensor, signal: Permanently stuck 118001 - Mixture control: mixture too lean 118401 - Mixture control: mixture too lean; large deviation Vapor formation in the fuel system from fuel quality characteristics of certain winter fuel blends along with high engine compartment temperatures."
B1116152018-12-10. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM. N20 and N26 engine: Smoke from Exhaust when Starting a Cold Engine. When starting a cold engine, blue smoke can be seen emitting from the exhaust tailpipe for approximately 10-20 seconds. No turbo charger boost faults are stored and no drivability issues can be detected. CAUSE When the vehicle is parked overnight the engine oil pressure will equalize and may leak past the turbo charger exhaust side turbine seal.
B6507162018-12-10. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.. NBT and Entry Head Unit Software Update for Improved Satellite Radio Reception. Poor Satellite Radio reception CAUSE After this software update there is a slight improvement in Satellite Radio reception for these vehicles when receiving their signal from XM Satellites. This is due to the changeover from Sirius Satellite broadcasting to XM Satellite broadcasting in 2016 (See SI B65 19 15).
B6506162018-12-10. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. NBT Head Unit Aborts Import of CD. 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
B6403162018-12-10. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. "Air Conditioning Refrigerant R1234yf Introduction. Highlights of R-1234yf Meets SAE J2888_201301 ""This SAE Standard covers fittings, couplers, and hoses intended for connecting service hoses from mobile air- conditioning Systems to service equipment such as charging, recovery and recycling equipment"" New tools and equipment are required. To service vehicles equipped with R-1234yf refer to SI B04 02 16. Air conditioning technician certification is required to work on system. Refer to your State Law. Unique low and high side fittings. Revised evaporator core as per SAE J2842. System will use about 5% more refrigerant than a comparable R134a system. System oil is a specific PAG oil. Refer to ISTA repair recommendation. Do not interchange components between systems using other refrigerants. Do not reuse Seals / O-ring material from another system. The system piping has internal heat exchangers (IHX or IWT) as introduced in the G12 (7 series). SAFETY INFORMATION Several precautions need to be observed when working on automotive air conditioning systems: Always wear eye protection and gloves while handling refrigerant or servicing air conditioning system. Avoid breathing R1234yf lubricant vapor or mist. Use only approved service equipment to discharge A/C systems. If refrigerant or compressor oil contacts the skin or eyes, large quantities of cool water should be used to flush the affected area. Never heat a refrigerant container with an open flame. Keep all refrigerant away from open flames. Under no circumstances should R1234yf service equipment or vehicle A/C systems be pressure tested or leak tested with air/R1234yf mixtures. NOTE: The use of compressed air (shop air) for leak detection in an R1234yf system can contaminate the system and/or refrigerant with moisture. Leak detection equipment that meets the SAE J2791 standard will work with R1234yf Never use fittings for an R12 or R134a system on an R1234yf system. Any difficulty in connecting service equipm
B5109162018-12-10. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK; STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID; LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK. Automatic Trunk Does Not Open Fully. Automatic trunk does not open fully on first attempt when using any opening options. During the first unlock attempt, whether using: the inside trunk switch, remote key, Smart opener (foot swipe), the automatic trunk lid only opens part way as shown. HKL software and trunk latch adjustment issue.
B5104162018-12-10. Service bulletin. STEERING; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. Groaning Noise When Adjusting Steering Column. A groaning noise can be heard when the steering column is retracted and moves into the lower position. Friction between gap trim and the lower trim cover.
B8403142018-12-10. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. SI B84 03 14 February 2016 Communication Systems Technical Service This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B84 03 14 dated October 2014. SUBJECT Bluetooth Connection Failures. There are various connectivity failures with the following devices: Apple iPhones Samsung S6 and the S6 Edge. Connectivity failure examples are: Call disconnection - Call is transferred back to the handset. In some instances the call is then transferred back to the vehicle. Contact List incomplete General connection failures CAUSE Apple iOS software (issue started with iOS 8.3 continues with iOS 9.x and its variants) Samsung S6 and S6 Edge device firmware CORRECTOPM None available at this time. We are currently working with the device manufacturer on a solution.

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