2022-2026 BMW 840I Driveshaft Recall (26V525)

Recall 26V525 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2022-2026 BMW 840I in recall 26V525?

The connection between the driveshaft and the rear differential may become damaged, possibly resulting in a loss of power to the rear wheels or a vehicle rollaway.

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022-2026 840i, 840i xDrive, 2021-2023 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, and 2024-2026 750e xDrive vehicles. The connection between the driveshaft and the rear differential may become damaged, possibly resulting in a loss of power to the rear wheels or a vehicle rollaway.

Is it safe to drive a 2022-2026 840I with recall 26V525?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: 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.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: 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.

There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your 840I 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 26V525?

Recall 26V525 covers 27,720 vehicles: 2021-2023 BMW 540I; 2021-2023 BMW 540I Xdrive; 2024-2026 BMW 750E Xdrive; 2022-2026 BMW 840I; 2022-2026 BMW 840I Xdrive; 2021-2023 BMW M550I.

NHTSA lists 27,720 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the 840I driveshaft recall?

Yes. 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.

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 searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 2, 2026.

When was recall 26V525 announced?

BMW of North America, LLC reported recall 26V525 to NHTSA on August 12, 2026. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as October 2, 2026.

This recall was filed 1 months ago. If your 840I was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.

How do I check if my 840I is part of recall 26V525?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 26V525 is open on your 840I, it will be listed there.

Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 26V525000 is open on your 840I, 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 840I owners do about recall 26V525?

Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 26V525000 applies to your 840I.
2. Book the recall appointment with any authorized BMW dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
3. 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.
4. Write down when symptoms involving the driveshaft happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
5. Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
6. If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.

What are 840I owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 9 of them about the transmission.

Too few NHTSA complaints about the transmission have been filed since recall 26V525 was reported (3) to say whether the fix is holding.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 33 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 9 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 540I: 9 complaints in total, 3 about the transmission
• 2022 BMW 840I: 7 complaints in total, 1 about the transmission
• 2022 BMW 540I: 6 complaints in total, 3 about the transmission
• 2023 BMW 540I: 5 complaints in total, 0 about the transmission
• 2022 BMW M550I: 2 complaints in total, 0 about the transmission
• 2024 BMW 840I: 2 complaints in total, 1 about the transmission
• 2023 BMW M550I: 1 complaints in total, 0 about the transmission
• 2021 BMW M550I: 1 complaints in total, 1 about the transmission

A few excerpts from owner complaints filed with NHTSA (unverified, lightly trimmed):

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

The guibo (flex disc) in the powertrain has multiple visible cracks, posing a safety risk due to its potential to disrupt power transmission to the wheels. This malfunction could impact vehicle control, particularly at higher speeds, thus putting passengers and other road users at risk.

2021 BMW M550I owner, NY, NHTSA complaint 11624298, filed November 8, 2024

Can recall 26V525 make my 840I 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.

Owners often ask whether this driveshaft recall means their 840I qualifies as a lemon. Not by itself. Song-Beverly looks at whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs use, value or safety and was not fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).

A transmission defect affects the core job of the 2022-2026 BMW 840I: 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.

This is not the first recall for this problem. When a manufacturer has to recall the same driveshaft again, that suggests the earlier fix did not work. If your 2022-2026 BMW 840I has had this repair more than once, keep every repair order.

Earlier campaigns on these vehicles involving the same component: 21V046000.

For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the 840I 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.

Frequently asked questions about recall 26V525