2021 BMW 530I Driveshaft Recall (21V046)
BMW of North America, LLC · 28 vehicles · Reported February 3, 2021
BMW of North America, LLC is recalling 28 2021 BMW 530I; 2021 BMW 540I; 2021 BMW 740LI vehicles. The output shafts (left/right) which transfer power from the driveshaft to the rear wheels may break due to a heat treatment error during supplier production. A broken output shaft can lead to a loss of drive power or a rollaway condition in a parked vehicle (if the parking brake is not engaged), increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 21V046 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 21V046000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | Not listed |
| Date reported to NHTSA | February 3, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | BMW of North America, LLC |
| Vehicles | 2021 BMW 530I; 2021 BMW 540I; 2021 BMW 740LI |
| Units affected | 28 |
| Component | Power Train > Driveline > Driveshaft |
| Safety risk | A broken output shaft can lead to a loss of drive power or a rollaway condition in a parked vehicle (if the parking brake is not engaged), increasing the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021 BMW 530I in recall 21V046?
The output shafts (left/right) which transfer power from the driveshaft to the rear wheels may break due to a heat treatment error during supplier production.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 530i xDrive, 540i xDrive and 2021 740Li xDrive vehicles. The output shafts (left/right) which transfer power from the driveshaft to the rear wheels may break due to a heat treatment error during supplier production.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Is it safe to drive a 2021 530I with recall 21V046?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A broken output shaft can lead to a loss of drive power or a rollaway condition in a parked vehicle (if the parking brake is not engaged), increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A broken output shaft can lead to a loss of drive power or a rollaway condition in a parked vehicle (if the parking brake is not engaged), increasing the risk of a crash.
There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your 530I shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the driveshaft, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 21V046?
Recall 21V046 covers 28 vehicles: 2021 BMW 530I; 2021 BMW 540I; 2021 BMW 740LI.
NHTSA lists 28 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | BMW | 530I |
| 2021 | BMW | 540I |
| 2021 | BMW | 740LI |
What is the fix for the 530I driveshaft recall?
Yes. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the output shaft(s), free of charge.
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the output shaft(s), free of charge. The recall began March 24, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
When was recall 21V046 announced?
BMW of North America, LLC reported recall 21V046 to NHTSA on February 3, 2021.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| February 3, 2021 | BMW of North America, LLC filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 21V046000. |
This recall was filed 68 months ago. If your 530I was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my 530I is part of recall 21V046?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V046 is open on your 530I, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 21V046000 is open on your 530I, it will be listed there. You can also ask any BMW dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.
What should 530I owners do about recall 21V046?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V046000 applies to your 530I.
- Call a BMW dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Write down when symptoms involving the driveshaft happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are 530I owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 26 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 3 of them about the transmission.
Too few NHTSA complaints about the transmission have been filed since recall 21V046 was reported (3) to say whether the fix is holding.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 26 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 3 of them involve the transmission. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 BMW 530I: 17 complaints in total, 0 about the transmission
- 2021 BMW 540I: 9 complaints in total, 3 about the transmission
- 2021 BMW 740LI: 0 complaints in total, 0 about the transmission
Examples of what owners have reported to NHTSA (unverified excerpts):
The contact owns a 2021 BMW 540I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. There was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle before the vehicle lost motive power. No warning lights were illuminated.
2021 BMW 540I owner, CA, NHTSA complaint 11727007, filed March 25, 2026
Starter engine failure. Car failed to start multiple times. Major safety hazard that can cause a short circuit, melt wiring harnesses, and spark an engine bay fire posing an immediate threat to life. Problem was inspected and confirmed by a dealer. Multiple waring lamps and messages appeared. Dealer report stated: STARTER MOTOR FAULTY.
2021 BMW 540I owner, MD, NHTSA complaint 11749530, filed July 10, 2026
Can recall 21V046 make my 530I a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Recall 21V046000 does not automatically make your 530I a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?
A transmission defect affects the core job of the 2021 BMW 530I: moving reliably. Owners often see the same symptom return after a repair, and those repeat visits are the kind of history California's lemon law looks at.
A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2021 BMW 530I has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.
For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the 530I went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
A typical pattern: an owner reports the transmission slipping, and the dealer can't verify it. Six months later, NHTSA issues a recall for the same problem. Because the recall confirms the defect, the mileage offset goes back to that first visit.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your 530I been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other BMW 530I recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 21V046
Is the 21V046000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my 530I is part of recall 21V046000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Will a transmission software update fix the problem for good?
Sometimes. Many owners report that shifting problems return after an update. If yours does, go back to the dealer and make sure the visit is written up.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
What should I keep for a possible lemon law claim?
Keep every repair order, the recall owner letter, your purchase or lease contract, and notes on dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure each dealer visit is written up, even when the dealer says it cannot find a problem.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 21V046000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or BMW. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.