BMW 540i problems and complaints, 2017 to 2019

56 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 recalls across 3 model years, 2017 to 2019. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.

56complaints
3recalls
5reported crashes
0reported fires
2reported injuries

Which BMW 540i years should you avoid?

We cover 3 model years of the BMW 540i, too few to say which stand out.

NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.

Every model year

Year	Complaints	Recalls	Crashes	Injuries	Our read	Most reported
2019	11	1	2	0	Few red flags	Speed control
2018	25	2	3	2	Few red flags	Airbags
2017	20	1	0	0	Few red flags	Airbags

Recalls (3)

Airbags · 20V243000 · Apr 2020 · model year 2017
In the event of a crash of sufficient severity, deployment of the head air bag may be impaired and/or the igniter could separate from the inflator, increasing the risk of injury.
Safety · 19V684000 · Sep 2019 · model years 2018, 2019
The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Engine · 18V465000 · Jul 2018 · model year 2018
A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.