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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2017 BMW 540I Recalls & Complaints

The 2017 BMW 540I has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 20 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2017 BMW 540I. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2017 BMW 540I owner complaints

Owners have filed 20 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 BMW 540I, describing incidents dated February 23, 2018 to February 20, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Air Bags 5 complaints
  • Electrical System 4 complaints
  • Seats 4 complaints
  • Seat Belts 3 complaints
  • Engine 2 complaints
  • Exterior Lighting 2 complaints

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11720421 · Filed

    The contact owns a 2017 BMW 540I equipped with a Zenna Tires, Tire Line: Argus/UHP, Tire Size: 275/30/ZR20, DOT Number: 045YNAUY84924. The contact stated the driver's side rear tire was slowly deflating. The vehicle was taken to a Tire Shop, and the technician became aware of bubbles on the tire…

  • ODI #11701308 · Filed

    as per [XXX] RE: Recall 22V-xxx: Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) Valve Heater – B11 01 22 This should be covered by BMW but they charges us and not refunding review charges below [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

  • ODI #11679698 · Filed

    While driving on highways when there is no car in front of me, my car suddenly warns me of collision and applies brakes automatically! This almost caused an accident with the cars behind me. They were about to collide with me from behind because my car was applying brakes automatically without my…

Read all 20 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2017 BMW 540I in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Head Air Bag Inflator Humidity Exceeds Specs

NHTSA #20V243000 · Air Bags · NHTSA notice

Reported April 29, 2020 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 33 vehicles

Repair completion: 87.88% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified June 24, 2020

Defect description

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2017 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i and 540i xDrive and 2017-2018 530e xDrive vehicles. Prior exposure to excessive levels of humidity within the driver and passenger head air bag inflators may affect the proper deployment of the head air bags.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left or right head air bag, free of charge. The recall began June 24, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Other BMW 540I model years

Check your 2017 BMW 540I VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW 540I at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a BMW VIN