CarRecordBook

1990–2024 · 21 model years

BMW 540i recalls & problems by year

40 recalls and 250 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. Pick a year for the full record.

Most complaints201831 complaints
Most recalls20216 recalls
Crashes reported15in owner complaints
Injuries reported90 deaths
Owner complaints by model yearSelect a bar to open that year
0102030401990: 0 complaints, 1 recalls1991: 0 complaints, 1 recalls1992: 0 complaints, 1 recalls1993: 0 complaints, 1 recalls1994: 8 complaints, 4 recalls1995: 10 complaints, 2 recalls1997: 27 complaints, 0 recalls1998: 26 complaints, 1 recalls1999: 22 complaints, 1 recalls2000: 31 complaints, 2 recalls2001: 15 complaints, 4 recalls2002: 12 complaints, 2 recalls2003: 7 complaints, 2 recalls2017: 20 complaints, 1 recalls2018: 31 complaints, 2 recalls2019: 12 complaints, 1 recalls2020: 3 complaints, 5 recalls2021: 9 complaints, 6 recalls2022: 6 complaints, 1 recalls2023: 6 complaints, 1 recalls2024: 5 complaints, 1 recalls19901993199720002003201920222024
Model yearNHTSA starsEPA mpgRecallsComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesDeaths
2024 540i——151000
2023 540i—27 mpg162000
2022 540i—27 mpg161010
2021 540i—27 mpg691000
2020 540i—25 mpg530000
2019 540i—24 mpg1122000
2018 540i—23–24 mpg2313020
2017 540i—23–24 mpg1200000
2003 540i—16–18 mpg270000
2002 540i—16–18 mpg2121000
2001 540i—16–18 mpg4151000
2000 540i—16–18 mpg2311230
1999 540i—16–18 mpg1221000
1998 540i—16–18 mpg1260010
1997 540i—16–18 mpg0270210
1995 540i—16–18 mpg2101110
1994 540i—17 mpg480000
1993 540i——100000
1992 540i——100000
1991 540i——100000
1990 540i——100000

Crash, fire, injury and death figures are what owners reported in their complaints; NHTSA does not verify them. A year with more complaints is not necessarily worse: newer and best-selling years collect more reports.

Most-reported problem areas, all years

  • Engine and engine cooling53
  • Air bags49
  • Electrical system42
  • Power train28
  • Seats19
  • Seat belts18
  • Steering17
  • Engine17