2018 BMW 540I Recalls, Complaints & Specs
2 safety recalls list the 2018 BMW 540I, and owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
2 safety recalls for the 2018 BMW 540I
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Camera (back over prevention)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Convertible and Coupe 840i, 840i xDrive,…
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…
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Engine (engine and engine cooling)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW 540d xDrive vehicles. The crankshaft sensor may be equipped with incorrect firmware, preventing the sensor from properly processing input from the crankshaft reluctor ring, possibly resulting in a vehicle stall. On September 12, 2018, BMW expanded the recall to a total of…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the crankshaft sensor, free of charge. The recall began September 6, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2018 BMW 540I have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA; 3 describe a crash. Reports cite 2 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 12,088 miles. Complaints peaked in 2025 with 8 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Seat belt/restraint system malfunction seat pad”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 8, 2026 · Seats
“Seat belt/restraint system malfunction seat pad”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 8, 2026 · Seats
Compare BMW 540I model years
Recall and complaint counts for every BMW 540I model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 BMW 540I | 1 | 0 |
| 1990 BMW 540I | 1 | 0 |
| 1991 BMW 540I | 1 | 0 |
| 1992 BMW 540I | 1 | 0 |
| 1993 BMW 540I | 1 | 0 |
| 1994 BMW 540I | 4 | 8 |
| 1995 BMW 540I | 2 | 10 |
| 1997 BMW 540I | 0 | 27 |
| 1998 BMW 540I | 1 | 26 |
| 1999 BMW 540I | 1 | 22 |
| 2000 BMW 540I | 2 | 31 |
| 2001 BMW 540I | 4 | 15 |
| 2002 BMW 540I | 2 | 12 |
| 2003 BMW 540I | 2 | 7 |
| 2017 BMW 540I | 1 | 20 |
| 2018 BMW 540I | 2 | 31 |
| 2019 BMW 540I | 1 | 11 |
| 2020 BMW 540I | 5 | 3 |
| 2021 BMW 540I | 6 | 9 |
| 2022 BMW 540I | 1 | 6 |
| 2023 BMW 540I | 1 | 5 |
| 2024 BMW 540I | 1 | 5 |
| 2025 BMW 540I | 0 | 1 |
Checking a specific 2018 BMW 540I
How do I know if my 2018 BMW 540I has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 2 campaigns currently list the 2018 BMW 540I; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised BMW dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 18V465000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other BMW models
- X53,154 complaints
- 328I2,578 complaints
- X32,004 complaints
- 325I1,386 complaints
- Z41,281 complaints
- 3 Series843 complaints
- 528I835 complaints
- 330I815 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.