NHTSA vehicle safety data

2018 BMW 640I Recalls & Complaints

The 2018 BMW 640I has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 5 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 2018 BMW 640I. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2018 BMW 640I owner complaints

Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 BMW 640I, describing incidents dated September 14, 2018 to February 1, 2023.

Most-cited components

Forward Collision Avoidance 2 complaints
Electrical System 1 complaint
Engine 1 complaint
Lane Departure 1 complaint
Power Train 1 complaint
Structure 1 complaint

Of the 5 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11506494 · Filed February 9, 2023
I took the car in for a service and mentioned that there is a slight vibration at highway speeds. The dealer performed wheel balancing and found that the issue was still there. Following this, a software update was performed and the issue was still prevalent. The final cause was identified to be the…
ODI #11475624 · Filed July 25, 2022
I took my vehicle for a regular oil change and vehicle check at 22000 miles. The service advisor performed a routine check and found that the driveshaft flex disc had multiple cracks. If the cracks expand, it could lead to a complete failure of the disc at which point the driveshaft was come loose…
ODI #11416300 · Filed May 12, 2021
THE CAR ON MY RIGHT CHANGED LANES AND AND HIT THE FRONT OF MY CAR. PHOTO'S OF DAMAGE ATTACHED. THE DAMAGE WAS TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BUMPER AND PANEL ON THE FRONT SIDE. POLICE REPORT ATTACHED. THE CARFAX REPORT PRINTED 5/5/2021 SHOWS DAMAGED AREAS AS FRONT, RIGHT AND REAR. THE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED…

Read all 5 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2018 BMW 640I 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.

Engineering Analysis EA21-002: Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Open since September 17, 2021

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

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 8, 2018 – July 27, 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.

Crankshaft Sensor Firmware may Cause Stall

NHTSA #18V465000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine · NHTSA notice

Reported July 11, 2018 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 5,309 vehicles

Repair completion: 98.21% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified September 6, 2018 · Vehicles built May 17, 2018 – June 5, 2018 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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 5,309 vehicles including certain 2018-2019 BMW 540d xDrive, 230i M240i, M240i xDrive, X2 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 330i, 330i xDrive, 340i, 340i xDrive, 330i xDrive Gran Turismo, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, 530e, 530e xDrive, 640i xDrive Gran Turismo, 330e, 2019 430i Gran Coupe, 430i xDrive Gran Coupe, 440i Gran Coupe, 440i xDrive Gran Coupe, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, 740i, 740i xDrive, MINI Cooper, Cooper S, JCW, MINI Countryman (Cooper, Cooper All4, Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW All4), and MINI Clubman (Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper All4, Cooper S All4, JCW All4) vehicles.

Safety consequence

A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

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 2018 BMW 640I. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

5 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2018 BMW 640I.

Suspension

ODI #11506494

Incident: February 1, 2023 · Filed: February 9, 2023

I took the car in for a service and mentioned that there is a slight vibration at highway speeds. The dealer performed wheel balancing and found that the issue was still there. Following this, a software update was performed and the issue was still prevalent. The final cause was identified to be the control arm bushings. The problem I see is that a number of bushings/rubber parts are failing in the vehicle and I am being asked to pay out of pocket for what I believe is a defective part/vehicle. In the first instance, the guibo/ flex disk had cracked which was replaced. These are parts that should not fail until about 80k miles while my vehicle only has 28k miles and is barely out of new car warranty.

Power Train

ODI #11475624

Incident: July 22, 2022 · Filed: July 25, 2022

I took my vehicle for a regular oil change and vehicle check at 22000 miles. The service advisor performed a routine check and found that the driveshaft flex disc had multiple cracks. If the cracks expand, it could lead to a complete failure of the disc at which point the driveshaft was come loose and can cause an accident along with extensive underbody damage. I do not understand how a certified preowned vehicle with only 22000 miles can have such a major part defect.

Structure; Lane Departure; Forward Collision Avoidance

ODI #11416300

Crash

Incident: December 21, 2018 · Filed: May 12, 2021

THE CAR ON MY RIGHT CHANGED LANES AND AND HIT THE FRONT OF MY CAR. PHOTO'S OF DAMAGE ATTACHED. THE DAMAGE WAS TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BUMPER AND PANEL ON THE FRONT SIDE. POLICE REPORT ATTACHED. THE CARFAX REPORT PRINTED 5/5/2021 SHOWS DAMAGED AREAS AS FRONT, RIGHT AND REAR. THE DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE SIDE FRONT ONLY AND THE CAR WAS DRIVABLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED 12/21/2018.

Forward Collision Avoidance

ODI #11387120

Incident: September 28, 2018 · Filed: January 8, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 BMW 640I. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW OF ANNAPOLIS (31 OLD MILL BOTTOM RD, ANNAPOLIS, MD 21401, (410) 349-9312) BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,551.

Electrical System; Engine

ODI #11311834

Incident: September 14, 2018 · Filed: February 27, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 BMW 640I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW OF SILVER SPRING (3211 AUTOMOTIVE BOULEVARD, SILVER SPRING, MD 20904, (888) 295-2096, WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED AND DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE. THE FUEL SENSOR WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THERE WAS NO LEAKS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND DETERMINED THAT THE RADIATOR SHROUD WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 18,000.

Other BMW 640I model years

Check your 2018 BMW 640I VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW 640I at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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