2021 BMW 540I: recalls and complaints

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All updates to the register

• 26V52500012 Aug 2026Power Train / Driveline / Driveshaft
• 21V55400021 Jul 2021Seat Belts
• 21V09600019 Feb 2021Back Over Prevention / Software
• 21V0460003 Feb 2021Power Train / Driveline / Driveshaft
• 20V7610009 Dec 2020Electrical System / 12v/24v/48v Battery
• 20V59800030 Sep 2020Back Over Prevention / Sensing System / Camera

1. 26V525000Received 12 Aug 2026. 27,720 units.

   Power Train / Driveline / Driveshaft

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Report filed by BMW of North America, LLC.

2. 21V554000Received 21 Jul 2021. 21,537 units.

   Seat Belts

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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."

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

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

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   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).

   Report filed by BMW of North America, LLC. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 3 Sep 2021.

3. 21V096000Received 19 Feb 2021. 13,858 units.

   Back Over Prevention / Software

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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."

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   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, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Report filed by BMW of North America, LLC. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 16 Apr 2021.

4. 21V046000Received 3 Feb 2021. 28 units.

   Power Train / Driveline / Driveshaft

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 530i xDrive, 540i xDrive and 2021 740Li xDrive vehicles. 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.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   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, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Report filed by BMW of North America, LLC. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 24 Mar 2021.

5. 20V761000Received 9 Dec 2020. 812 units.

   Electrical System / 12v/24v/48v Battery

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   Increased electrical resistance can increase the risk of a fire.

   Remedy, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Report filed by BMW of North America, LLC. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 30 Mar 2021.

6. 20V598000Received 30 Sep 2020. 312 units.

   Back Over Prevention / Sensing System / Camera

   Defect, in the NHTSA record

   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."

   Consequence, in the NHTSA record

   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, in the NHTSA record

   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.

   Report filed by BMW of North America, LLC. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 18 Nov 2020.

The campaign number opens the NHTSA record. Each quotation is the text of the NHTSA recall file.

Recall campaign: One recall in the NHTSA recall file, with one campaign number. A campaign can name many makes, models and model years.

Units: The number of vehicles or products that a recall can include. The manufacturer or the firm reports the number to the agency.

The NHTSA complaint file has no complaint for this model year.

Investigation: A study of a possible safety defect by the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. An investigation with no closing date in the NHTSA file is open.

1. 19891
2. 19901
3. 19911
4. 19921
5. 19931
6. 19944
7. 19952
8. 19970
9. 19981
10. 19991
11. 20002
12. 20014
13. 20022
14. 20032
15. 20171
16. 20182
17. 20191
18. 20205
19. 20216
20. 20221
21. 20231
22. 20241

A year without a link has fewer than 2 campaigns and fewer than 25 complaints. It has no page.

• BMW 540I: all model years
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• NHTSA VIN lookupNHTSA shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle from its VIN or its license plate.
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• NHTSA page of the 2021 BMW 540IThe recalls, the complaints and the investigations that NHTSA shows for this model year.

How many units are in the recall campaigns for the 2021 BMW 540I?

64,267 units in 6 campaigns. A campaign can name other models and model years, and its units include them.

How many recall campaigns does the BMW 540I have for all model years?

NHTSA lists 23 recall campaigns for the BMW 540I, model years 1989 to 2024. 6 of them name the 2021 model year.

Is an NHTSA investigation of the 2021 BMW 540I open?

No. The 1 investigation that names this model year has a closing date in the NHTSA file.