BMW550i2014Overview/bmw/550i/2014/base/

2014 BMW 550i

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2014 550i.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S8)

The 2014 BMW 550i is a passenger car powered by an engine requiring 9.0 quarts of 0W-30, 0W-40, or 5W-30 oil, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission (S8) and achieving EPA ratings of 17 city, 25 highway, and 20 combined mpg. Within the 2011–2015 model range, this year recorded the fewest owner complaints—just six total—with air bags cited as the top concern, alongside two recalls. That positions the 2014 550i as the most trouble-free variant of this generation, making it a notably low-complaint choice for researchers examining the model's reliability history.

Model year2016201520142009200820072006

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity9.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-30 / 0W-40 / 5W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque88 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/25/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 49 · 900 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11427583220. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 49 · 900 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11427583220
Engine air filter13717577458 alt 13717577457
Spark plug12120040581 alt 12120039664
Battery61216924021 alt 61219394648
Front wiper blades61612458015
Thermostat11538632664 alt 11537586885
Cabin air filter64116809933 alt 64119272642

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length192.9 in
Overall width73.2 in
Overall height57.5 in
Wheelbase116.9 in
Curb weight4365 lb
Track (front / rear)63 / 64.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)51/49

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 25 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume102 cu ft
Cargo volume14 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the 550i of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

4.8–5.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.80 sec — 2011 Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2011Sedan 4.4L Twin-Turbo V84.80 sec13.10 sec400 hpRWD
2011Sedan 4.4L Twin-Turbo V84.80 sec13.30 sec400 hpRWD
2011Sedan 4.4L Twin-Turbo V85.10 sec13.10 sec400 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 9.0 qt of 0W-30 / 0W-40 / 5W-30 engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 88 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidBMW part number 83222152426
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity10.5-11.5
Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2 Pints
Engine Oil0W-30 · 0W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity9.0 qt
Manual Transmission FluidBMW MTF part number 83220309031
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity3.2

Engine torques

Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugM12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts88 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerBMW

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.85-1.89 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Optional BCI Group Number49
Optional BCI Cranking Performance850 cca
Standard BCI Group Number49
Standard BCI Cranking Performance900 cca

Service checks

Engine Compression203-261 psi

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH FN3
Torque to Knuckle81 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads
Brake ApplicationWITH FN3
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.945 in / 0.787 in / 1.181 in / 1.417 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.945 in / 0.787 in / 1.181 in / 1.417 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.031 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.882 in / 0.724 in / 1.118 in / 1.354 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

At 120,000 miOxygen Sensor (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2014 BMW 550i sits near the bottom of a steep downward trajectory in owner complaints, with only 6 complaints recorded—matching the 2015 model and down sharply from 15 in 2013 and 45 in 2012. While recalls ticked up slightly to 2 from 1 in 2013, they remain well below the generation’s peak of 8 in 2011, and technical service bulletins continued their decline to 393 from 434 the prior year. Federal data shows no crash or fire complaints for 2014, and the six complaints were distributed across air bags, fuel/propulsion, engine, and steering, though the data does not specify root causes. With one investigation on file, 2014 falls in line with 2012 and 2015 rather than the investigation-free 2011 and 2013. Given the dramatically reduced complaint volume relative to early-production years and the absence of crash or fire reports, the 2014 model year represents a comparatively stable point in this generation’s lifecycle and is a sound choice for a used purchase.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
393
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
6
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 6 complaints on record, top 4 components.

Air Bags2
Fuel/Propulsion System2
Engine1
Steering1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

15V188000Exterior LightingReported 31/03/2015

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… Remedy: 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…

24V527000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 11/07/2024

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2015 6 Series Gran Coupe, 2014 5 Series Gran Turismo, 2014 5 Series Sedan, 2015 6 Series Convertible, 2015 6 Series Coupe, 2014 X5, 2013-2014 X3, 2014-2015 3 Series… Remedy: The driver's front air bag will be replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 393 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B0101222026-01-21EngineN63TU1 CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT SVC CAMPAIGN: OIL CONSUMPTION DIAGNOSIS/REPAIR
B5108192024-01-16Electrical SystemThe basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
B6113052024-01-11Electrical SystemThe electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process…
B1606232023-12-20Engine And Engine CoolingEngine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel…
B6534232023-11-22Electrical SystemCustomers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific 550i. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2014 550i take?

9.0 qt of 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30, 5W-40 OIL MEETING BMW SPECIFICATION LL01, per the factory manual.

Does the 2014 550i have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 550i get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined mpg.