Every 2021 BMW 540I recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Power Train · NHTSA 26V525000
Aug 12, 2026Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft
- Problem
- 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.
- 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. 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.
Full recall details for 26V525000 →Seat Belts · NHTSA 21V554000
Jul 21, 2021Seat Belts
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 2 Series (230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive), 330e, 330e Xdrive, 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive) M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, BMW 4 Series Convertible (430i, M440i), BMW X1 sDrive28i, xDrive28i, 2 Series Gran Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i xDrive), M2 Competition Coupe, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, M3, M3 Competition, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, CooperS, JCW), X2 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i, X2 M35i, Z4 sDrive30i, Z4 M40i, MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper SE), MINI Convertible (Cooper, Cooper S, JCW), MINI Clubman (Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW), MINI Countryman (Cooper, Cooper All4, Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW All4), Rolls Royce Ghost, MINI Countryman (Cooper S E All4), Rolls Royce Phantom, Rolls Royce Cullinan, and Toyota Supra vehicles. 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. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417; 1-866-825-1525 (MINI); 1-877-877-3735 (Rolls Royce); and 1-888-270-9371 (Toyota).
Full recall details for 21V554000 →Back Over Prevention · NHTSA 21V096000
Feb 19, 2021Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, Alpina XB7, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, and 8 Series Coupe, Convertible and Grand Coupe, 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8, 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le, 745Le xDrive, X5 xDrive45e, X3 xDrive30e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 740i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, M760i Drive, M760Li xDrive, 750Li xDrive Alpina, Alpina B7 xDrive, and 2021 4 Series Coupe 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive vehicles.
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. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full recall details for 21V096000 →Back Over Prevention · NHTSA 20V598000
Sep 30, 2020Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 X3 sDrive 30i, X3 xDrive 30i, X3M 40i, X3 xDrive 30e, X4 xDrive 30i, X4M 40i, 530i, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 550e, 550e xDrive, and 550e iPerformance vehicles. 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. The recall began November 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full recall details for 20V598000 →Electrical System · NHTSA 20V761000
Sep 12, 2020Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 M340i xDrive, M440i xDrive Coupe, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 840i Gran Coupe, 840i xDrive Gran Coupe, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, and X7 xDrive40i vehicles. 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. The recall is expected to begin April 12, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full recall details for 20V761000 →
2021 BMW 540I complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 9 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 BMW 540I, reporting 1 crashes. BMW has issued at least 167 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Power Train3
- Service Brakes3
- Electrical System2
- Forward Collision Avoidance2
- Engine1
- Seat Belts1
Service bulletins by component
- Equipment (72)
- Electrical System (65)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (16)
- Steering (15)
- Equipment Adaptive/Mobility (13)
- Exterior Lighting (10)
Read BMW 540I owner complaints and bulletins, every year
NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2021 BMW 540I
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in one investigation. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.
What people reported
Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 BMW 540I. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Crash
“Unintended car acceleration, with complete brake failure. No software warning icons in dash, no collision avoidance or ABS triggered even though car so equipped. Crashed into rear end of stationery vehicle,. [XXX] , MN police were called. Incident report # attached.”
2021 BMW 540IJul 24, 2023
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11533979
“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.”
2021 BMW 540IJul 10, 2026 · MD
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11749530
“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.”
2021 BMW 540IMar 25, 2026
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11727007
“In November 2025 my breaks quit working. I had AAA haul my car to a repair shop. They ran the codes on the car and found that it was related to a recall on 2021 BMW 540i's for the oil vacuum pump assembly, pan and gasket. I then had it towed to BMW and found out that my vin was not in the recall.”
2021 BMW 540IFeb 12, 2026
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11717479
“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 540IMay 5, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11658906
Check your 540I by VIN
Not every 2021 BMW 540I is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any BMW dealer.
Run a free VIN recall check →