At least one recall carries a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. Confirm by VIN that the repair was completed before driving or buying this car. The fix is free at a dealer.
Recalls
Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.
Electrical system recall
A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete. Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 6, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov November 14, 2025.
- Status
- Park outside and away from buildings until repaired. Dealer fixes it free.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Safety recall
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.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Transmission recall
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.
- Remedy
- 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.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Safety recall
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.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Safety recall
The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Owner complaints by system
Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.
Engine & powertrain
3
Most reports here involve fire.
Read full complaint
Last year around this time my differential failed and I lost all power to my wheels when driving in traffic in [XXX] on my way back to [XXX]. The car was driving and a loud clunk sound came from the car and the transmission wouldn't drive and I had to coast off the road cutting off cars to make it to a parking lot. I thought this was just something that happened to my car that maybe I did but then I saw the recall going on for the BMW differentials and realized It wasn't just a one off thing that happened to me. The vehicle was towed to a shop by AAA insurance and was looked at and confirmed to be the differental and driveshaft. I already had the problem looked at and fixed and I have documentation of everything. The only warning signs I noticed before it happened was a clunking noise and feeling like the wheels had a problem with putting power down to the road and I heard it and felt it and it got worse before it broke but I didnt realize what it was until I was actually stuck in [XXX] after it broke. My vehicle isn't included in the official recall but I would like help to get it added because I belive I suffered the same problem and am hoping for reimbursement for the money I spent on the repairs of a defective part that my car came with. I had to leave my car at AAA repair shop to be looked at and get a rental to come back home so I could make it to work in 2 days and eneded up missing work the next day. My next day off I had to rent a towing dolly from [XXX] and drive back there to pick my vehicle up and tow it back home to [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11761685 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Electrical & infotainment
1
Most reports here involve software faults.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11448632 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Brakes
1
Most reports here involve loss of braking. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 2 mention an injury.
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2020 BMW 530I. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the contact depressed on the brake pedal desperately, but the vehicle would not stop, causing the contact to rear-end the vehicle in front. There were front end damages to the contact's vehicle and rear end damages to the other vehicle. No warning light illuminated. The contact sustained head injuries that required medical attention. The driver in the other vehicle suffered injuries to the shoulders and the neck that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed by the dealer who stated no failure was found but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was repaired by the insurance company. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was inspected by a tech and stated no failure was found. The failure mileage was 700.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11537215 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Steering, suspension & tires
2
Most reports here involve loss of steering. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11717953 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Airbags & seat belts
2
Most reports here involve airbags not deploying.
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The contact owns a 2020 BMW 530I. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop, and while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, the contact stated that the infotainment system might have been remotely hacked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with an air bag failure. Additionally, the contact was informed that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); because the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle had failed the State Inspection due to the open recall. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11731883 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Structure & body
1
Most reports here involve other issues. Of these, 1 mention an injury.
Read full complaint
Panoramic sunroof exploded while driving on route 30, York PA around 740am EST, shattered into pieces, made home late, urgent care closed near me will try again around 5am. Irritating eyes and headache most the day and having constant discomfort and worrying.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11700235 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
How does it compare with other years? The 2020 has 10 complaints on file, fewer than the 2019 (15) and fewer than the 2021 (17). Of the 6 model years of the BMW 530i we cover, the 2018 has the most (24). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.