NHTSA vehicle safety data

2020 BMW 540I Recalls & Complaints

The 2020 BMW 540I has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 3 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 2020 BMW 540I. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2020 BMW 540I owner complaints

Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 BMW 540I, describing incidents dated April 19, 2024 to February 27, 2026.

Most-cited components

Engine 2 complaints
Electrical System 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11721023 · Filed February 27, 2026
I am reporting a potential safety concern with my engine. The oil pumps are known to fail due to plastic internal components. BMW has issued a new pump with metal parts, but existing engines are not being helped and if oil pressure drops the car can suddenly stop in traffic, creating a safety…
ODI #11713345 · Filed January 26, 2026
Component: Engine Oil Pump (Plastic Internal Variant) Safety Risk: Sudden Loss of Motive Power / Engine Seizure Defect Description: The oil pump in the BMW B58 engine utilizes a plastic tensioning/adjusting ring that is prone to brittle fracture. At only 38,000 miles, my vehicle suffered a…
ODI #11585538 · Filed April 26, 2024
BMW G30 chassis vehicles equipped with the optional Bowers & Wilkins stereo have multiple owners reporting on Bimmerpost owners forum that water incursion damages the front door midrange speakers on both sides of the vehicle due to poor water drainage design. Water is causing the speakers to short…

Read all 3 complaints

Loss of Braking Assist

NHTSA #21V598000 · Engine · NHTSA notice

Reported August 2, 2021 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 50,024 vehicles

Repair completion: 95.86% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified September 17, 2021

Defect description

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 M340i, M340i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, X3 M40i, 2020-2021 X4 M40i, 745Le xDrive, 2019-2021 Z4 M40i, and 2020-2021 Toyota Supra vehicles. During engine start, the engine management software may cause loss of braking assist. Full mechanical braking (without assist) remains available.

Safety consequence

Loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will update the engine management software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. 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.nhtsa.gov.

Rearview Camera Image Malfunction/FMVSS 111

NHTSA #21V096000 · Back Over Prevention — Sensing System — Camera · NHTSA notice

Reported February 19, 2021 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 13,858 vehicles

Repair completion: 97.63% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified April 16, 2021

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

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.

Output Shafts May Break

NHTSA #21V046000 · Power Train — Driveline — Driveshaft · NHTSA notice

Reported February 3, 2021 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 28 vehicles

Repair completion: 100% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified March 24, 2021

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

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.

Rearview Camera Image Obscured/FMVSS 111

NHTSA #20V598000 · Back Over Prevention — Sensing System — Camera · NHTSA notice

Reported September 30, 2020 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 312 vehicles

Repair completion: 100% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified November 18, 2020

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

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.

No Back-Up Camera Display Image/FMVSS 111

NHTSA #19V684000 · Back Over Prevention — Sensing System — Camera · NHTSA notice

Reported September 27, 2019 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 257,473 vehicles

Repair completion: 96.64% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified November 8, 2019 · Vehicles built May 2, 2018 – September 2, 2019 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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, M850i xDrive, X5 sDrive, X5 xDrive, X5 M50i, X6 xDrive, X6 M50i, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, Z4 sDrive, Z4 M40i, 740Le xDrive and 745Le xDrive, 2018-2019 640i xDrive Gran Turismo and Rolls-Royce Phantom, 2019 M850i xDrive Gran Coupe and Rolls-Royce Cullinan and 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

Safety consequence

The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.

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.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2020 BMW 540I. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

3 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2020 BMW 540I.

Engine

ODI #11721023

Incident: February 27, 2026 · Filed: February 27, 2026

I am reporting a potential safety concern with my engine. The oil pumps are known to fail due to plastic internal components. BMW has issued a new pump with metal parts, but existing engines are not being helped and if oil pressure drops the car can suddenly stop in traffic, creating a safety hazard.

Engine

ODI #11713345

Incident: December 19, 2025 · Filed: January 26, 2026

Component: Engine Oil Pump (Plastic Internal Variant) Safety Risk: Sudden Loss of Motive Power / Engine Seizure Defect Description: The oil pump in the BMW B58 engine utilizes a plastic tensioning/adjusting ring that is prone to brittle fracture. At only 38,000 miles, my vehicle suffered a catastrophic internal pump failure, resulting in an immediate "Low Oil Pressure" warning and forced engine shutdown. Safety Hazard: Stalling at Speed: This defect causes an immediate loss of propulsion. If this occurs during highway merging or high-speed maneuvers, the driver faces an abrupt loss of power steering and braking assist, significantly increasing the risk of a high-speed rear-end collision. Imminent Seizure: Total oil pressure loss can lead to crankshaft seizure, potentially locking the drive wheels and causing a loss of vehicle control. Technical Evidence: BMW has released an updated part (P/N 11419895359) that replaces the plastic internals with a metal housing, acknowledging the original design is insufficient for the thermal loads of the engine. Post-repair inspection of my vehicle showed significant carbonized "soot" in the filter, indicating that the pump's underperformance caused localized overheating of the lubricant prior to the final failure. Request: NHTSA should open an investigation into the B58 oil pump (2019–2021 models) to determine the failure rate of the plastic-ring units. A safety recall is necessary to replace these units with the updated all-metal version before a high-speed seizure results in a fatality.

Electrical System

ODI #11585538

Incident: April 19, 2024 · Filed: April 26, 2024

BMW G30 chassis vehicles equipped with the optional Bowers & Wilkins stereo have multiple owners reporting on Bimmerpost owners forum that water incursion damages the front door midrange speakers on both sides of the vehicle due to poor water drainage design. Water is causing the speakers to short out and stop functioning. This is also happening to owners of the BMW F90 chassis with the Bowers & Wilkins optioned stereo speakers. Stock stereo and Harmon Kardon systems seem not to be impacted by this issue.

Other BMW 540I model years

Check your 2020 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