NHTSA // SAFETY RECORD
2021 BMW M550i Safety Record
The 2021 BMW M550i has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. Its federal safety record shows 3 recalls and 1 owner complaint on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
CRASH
DATANot crash-tested
NHTSA has not crash-tested the 2021 BMW M550i, so it carries no Safety Index and no star ratings of any kind. What the federal record does show is a Light recall and complaint burden for this model year: two recall campaigns and one unverified owner complaint on file. That Light band reflects the volume of federal safety activity, not a crash-safety grade, and the absence of a crash-test result should not be read as evidence of safety or of risk.
The 2021 BMW M550i was not crash-tested by NHTSA, carries two recall campaigns and a Light recall and complaint burden band, according to federal data published by NHTSA at nhtsa.gov.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
- shoppers who want the full federal safety picture in one place
| NHTSA crash test | Not crash-tested |
|---|---|
| Recall and complaint burden | Light |
| Recalls on file | 3 |
| Owner complaints | 1 (unverified allegations) |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2021 BMW M550i?
The 2021 BMW M550i sits in the Light burden band, meaning its combined recall and complaint activity for this model year is at the lower end of federal safety filings. The two recalls are thematically linked: both target the rearview camera sensing system that supports back-over prevention, a federally mandated safety function. The fact that two separate campaigns address overlapping vehicle populations in consecutive model years is worth noting, as it suggests the underlying camera issue required more than one corrective action to resolve. The single Power Train complaint is an isolated, unverified allegation and does not establish a pattern. No tested sibling years of this model exist in the data reviewed here, so no crash-test comparison is available as a navigational reference.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2021 BMW M550i have any recalls?
Both recalls for the 2021 BMW M550i address the same safety system: back-over prevention, specifically a rearview camera sensing system. The campaigns cover a broad group of BMW and BMW M models across two consecutive model years. Neither recall carries a park-outside or do-not-drive advisory based on the information in the federal record. Owners should verify their specific VIN at nhtsa.gov to confirm whether either campaign remains open.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT26V525000
Risk: An unexpected loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash. In addition, a damaged driveshaft can result in a vehicle rollaway if the parking brake is not applied, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the connection between the driveshaft and rear axle differential, and apply adhesive or replace the driveshaft and rear axle differential, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 2, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searcha
Reported 2026-08-12
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA21V096000
Risk: If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Reported 2021-02-19
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA20V598000
Risk: If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, program the rearview camera with updated software. The recall began November 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Reported 2020-09-30
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2021 BMW M550i?
The 2021 BMW M550i has one complaint on file with NHTSA. That single unverified allegation involves the Power Train component. No crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths are associated with the complaint. All NHTSA complaints are unverified consumer allegations and have not been independently confirmed.
1 owner complaint on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2021 BMW M550i?
Any used 2021 BMW M550i shopper should run the vehicle's VIN through the free recall lookup at nhtsa.gov before purchase. Either or both of the two camera-related recalls could still be open on a specific vehicle if the remedy was never performed. Confirming recall status costs nothing and takes minutes.
- NHTSA has not crash-tested the 2021 BMW M550i, so no federal star ratings or Safety Index score exist for this specific model year.
- Both recalls on record for this model year target the rearview camera sensing system tied to federally required back-over prevention, and two separate campaigns were needed to address the issue across overlapping model years.
- Only one owner complaint has been filed with NHTSA for this model year, an unverified allegation involving the Power Train, with no associated crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths reported.
- Prospective buyers of a used example should verify the vehicle's specific VIN at nhtsa.gov to determine whether either camera recall remains open and unrepaired.
FAQ2021 BMW M550i safety questions
Was the 2021 BMW M550i crash-tested by NHTSA?
No. NHTSA has not run a New Car Assessment Program crash test on this configuration, so it carries no Safety Index. Its safety record here is built from 3 recalls and 1 owner complaint on file.
How many recalls does the 2021 BMW M550i have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 3 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2021 BMW M550i. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 BMW M550i?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 1 owner complaint is on file for the 2021 BMW M550i. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other M550i years
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the BMW M550i 2021.
- SCORE This configuration was not crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. We report its recall and complaint record only.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.