BMW 540I Recalls (2021-2024)

What recalls does the BMW 540I have?

• 2022-2026 BMW 840I Driveshaft Recall (26V525) Repeat recall
  August 12, 2026 · 27,720 vehicles · Transmission

  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.

  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.

  Fix: 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.

• 2023-2024 BMW X1 Stability Control Control Module Recall (24V697)
  September 18, 2024 · 309 vehicles · Driver Assistance

  Please refer to the recall report for the complete list of models. The welds in the servomotor of the integrated brake control module may break, causing a loss of power brake assist and rear brake function.

  Risk: A loss of brake power assist or rear brake function can result in extended stopping distance. A loss of ABS or DSC can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

  Fix: Dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge.

• 2021 BMW 230I Seat Belt Recall (21V554)
  July 21, 2021 · 21,537 vehicles · Seat Belts

  The passenger seat belt Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) may deactivate early, before the webbing fully retracts. As such, these assemblies fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

  Risk: During a crash, a seat belt retractor that does not function as intended increases the risk of injury.

  Fix: Dealers will inspect the seat belt retractors (including the seat belts) and, if necessary, replace the retractors, free of charge.

• 2021 BMW X3 Backup Camera Software Recall (21V096)
  February 19, 2021 · 13,858 vehicles · Rearview Camera

  When shifting into Reverse, a small portion of the rearview image may be obscured, or the screen may not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

  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.

  Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge.

• 2021 BMW 530I Driveshaft Recall (21V046)
  February 3, 2021 · 28 vehicles · Transmission

  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.

  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: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the output shaft(s), free of charge.

• 2021 BMW M340I 12-Volt Battery Recall (20V761)
  December 9, 2020 · 812 vehicles · Electrical System

  The connection between the 48-Volt battery and the starter-generator may not have been assembled properly, which can cause increased electrical resistance at the connections.

  Risk: Increased electrical resistance can increase the risk of a fire.

  Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the connection between the 48-Volt battery and the starter-generator assembly, replacing it if necessary, free of charge.

• 2021 BMW X3 Backup Camera Recall (20V598)
  September 30, 2020 · 312 vehicles · Rearview Camera

  A small portion of the rearview image may be slightly obscured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

  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.

  Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, program the rearview camera with updated software.

Which 540I parts are recalled most?

Which 540I model years have the most recalls?

How do I check my 540I for open recalls?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. The lookup lists every open safety recall on that specific vehicle, so you will see which of the 7 BMW 540I campaigns above apply to you. You can also ask any authorized BMW dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is on your registration card, your insurance card, and a plate at the lower driver-side corner of the windshield. Brand-new recalls can take a few days to show up, so check again if you received a letter.

What are 540I owners reporting?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA since 2020, by model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports, but the components that come up most often show where owners are having trouble.

Excerpts from owner complaints (unverified):

We notice the lose of braking power right after we started the car on 4/30 morning. The car was totally fine before that. took it to the BMW dealer they said the problem is "Vacuum/oil pump failing internally.

2021 BMW 540I owner, Service Brakes, NHTSA complaint 11658906

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, Power Train, NHTSA complaint 11727007

While turning my 2022 BMW 540i onto a busy, 50 MPH road, the vehicle suffered a catastrophic drivetrain failure, without any physical trauma such as encountering a curb or pothole. The car experienced a total and immediate loss of motive power (propulsion), leaving me coasting in live traffic.

2022 BMW 540I owner, Power Train, NHTSA complaint 11715820

Can a recall make your 540I a lemon in California?

Owners of a BMW 540I often ask whether these recalls mean their vehicle qualifies under California's lemon law. Not by themselves. The question is whether a covered defect keeps coming back, or keeps the vehicle at the dealer, after a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).

1 of the 7 recalls listed here follow an earlier campaign on the same component, which can mean a first fix did not work. 2 involve the engine, transmission or high-voltage battery, the kinds of repairs that often take several visits or weeks of downtime.

Within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the same defect was repaired two or more times when it is likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Written notice to the manufacturer is required in some cases, and owners outside that window can still have a claim. An owner who prevails 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.

What to keep: every repair order, the recall owner letters, your purchase or lease contract, and a log of dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure every visit is written up, even when the dealer says it found nothing.

More BMW 540I lemon law pages

All BMW recalls

Other BMW models with recalls

• 228I: 5 recalls
• 228I Gran Coupe: 2 recalls
• 228I Xdrive: 1 recall
• 228I Xdrive Gran Coupe: 2 recalls
• 230I: 7 recalls
• 3 Series: 1 recall
• 330E: 7 recalls
• 330I: 11 recalls
• 330I Xdrive: 1 recall
• 4 Series: 1 recall
• 430I: 11 recalls
• 430I Convertible: 1 recall
• 430I Xdrive: 1 recall
• 5 Series: 1 recall
• 530E: 2 recalls
• 530I: 15 recalls
• 530I Xdrive: 4 recalls
• 540I: 7 recalls
• 540I Xdrive: 4 recalls
• 550E: 1 recall
• 550E Xdrive: 2 recalls
• 740I: 11 recalls
• 740I Xdrive: 2 recalls
• 740LI: 5 recalls
• 740XI: 1 recall
• 745E: 1 recall
• 745LE: 4 recalls
• 750E: 3 recalls
• 750E Xdrive: 6 recalls
• 750LI: 3 recalls
• 760I: 8 recalls
• 760I Xdrive: 3 recalls
• 8 Series: 1 recall
• 840I: 6 recalls
• 840I Xdrive: 1 recall
• Alpina B8: 1 recall
• Alpina XB7: 1 recall
• B7 Alpina: 1 recall
• I4: 11 recalls
• I4 EDRIVE35: 1 recall
• I4 EDRIVE40: 2 recalls
• I4 M50: 2 recalls
• I5: 7 recalls
• I5 EDRIVE40: 3 recalls
• I5 M60: 2 recalls
• I5 M60 Xdrive: 3 recalls
• I5 XDRIVE40: 2 recalls
• I7: 12 recalls
• I7 EDRIVE50: 3 recalls
• I7 M70: 3 recalls
• I7 M70 Xdrive: 4 recalls
• I7 XDRIVE60: 3 recalls
• IX: 12 recalls
• M2: 3 recalls
• M235I: 2 recalls
• M235I Xdrive Gran Coupe: 2 recalls
• M240I: 4 recalls
• M3: 4 recalls
• M340I: 7 recalls
• M4: 3 recalls
• M440I: 7 recalls
• M5: 3 recalls
• M5 Sportswagon: 1 recall
• M550I: 3 recalls
• M760I: 2 recalls
• M760LI: 1 recall
• M8: 3 recalls
• M850I: 3 recalls
• X1: 11 recalls
• X2: 6 recalls
• X3: 24 recalls
• X4: 14 recalls
• X5: 27 recalls
• X5 Hybrid: 1 recall
• X5 Plug-IN Hybrid: 2 recalls
• X6: 17 recalls
• X7: 22 recalls
• XB7: 1 recall
• XM: 9 recalls
• Z4: 7 recalls

Frequently asked questions about BMW 540I recalls