2019 BMW 540i recalls & problems

The 2019 BMW 540i has 1 safety recall and 12 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is unknown or other (3 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints12filed by owners

Crashes · fires2 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera

NHTSA recall 19V684000 · Sep 27, 2019 · 257,473 vehicles

Problem: 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."

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

Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

540i

24mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S8) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,400/year to fuel

540i xDrive

24mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,400/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Typical mileage*
Unknown or other	3	0	—
Vehicle speed control Accelerator pedal	3	2	18,000 mi
Power train Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift	2	0	—
Lane departure Assist; Warning	2	0	—
Electrical system	1	0	—
Fuel/propulsion system	1	0	—
Forward collision avoidance Automatic emergency braking	1	0	—
Air bags	1	1	—
Visibility Rearview mirrors/devices › Exterior	1	0	—
Engine	1	0	—
Wheels	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Mar 14, 2026Wheels
In March of 2026 I decided to make use of the vehicles lane keeping assistant and set the lane keeping assistant to maximum safety settings. Within 2 months I noticed the car began to slip l/shudder at the front end while taking highway exit ramps. After this happened a few times I pulled over and checked the front tires because I thought maybe I drove through asphalt oil or something that made the tires slick. Both front tires displayed excessive wear on outside tire edges, almost like someone took a Dewalt power sander and ground the tires down along the entire outer edge that is supposed to grip the pavement. There were no changes to the vehicles suspension or mechanical components…
May 1, 2026 · 30,600 miles · crashVehicle speed control
The contact owns a 2019 BMW 540i. The contact stated that while slowly driving into the driveway the vehicle erroneously accelerated forward at a high rate of speed and crashed into the garage door. The contact indicated that during the incident the brake pedal was being pressed but the vehicle did not immediately stop. During the incident the front end of the vehicle was damaged but no air bags deployed. No injuries were reported but the contact experienced emotional stress from the incident. The contact also indicated that the failure had once occurred while the husband was driving the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were…
Mar 23, 2026Engine
I own a 2019 BMW 540 with B58 engine and I have begun noticing abnormal rattling noise from the engine area, which may indicate early stage failure of the oil pump assembly. There are widespread reports from other owners of failure of the oil pump rotor housing/adjusting ring due to heat-related degradation of plastic components. Failure of this component can lead to sudden loss of oil pressure, drivetrain malfunction warnings, and ultimately engine seizure while driving. Sudden engine failure at speed presents a significant safety hazard due to loss of propulsion and potential inability to maneuver out of traffic. BMW has reportedly updated the oil pump design to an all-metal version…
Dec 23, 2024 · 23,000 milesVisibility › Rearview mirrors/devices › Exterior
The contact owns a 2019 BMW 540i Sedan. The contact stated while driving at 45 MPH, the peripheral rear-view mirror detached and collided with the passenger's window. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.
Nov 8, 2022Unknown or other
Radiator Grill does not open when running. It remains in the close position. It started with the engine symbol that appeared on the dash.
Aug 15, 2021 · 43,500 milesPower train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
The contact owns a 2019 BMW 540I. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the contact pressed the button on the gear shifter and the vehicle inadvertently shifted into NEUTRAL. The contact then shifted back into DRIVE. The contact continued driving with no further issues. However, the contact concern was that there should be no reason for the gear shifter to change gear with little to no pressure on the gear shifter from an inadvertent touch of the button on the gear shifter. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer to be inspected however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure…
Apr 26, 2021 · 18,000 miles · crashVehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
The contact owns a 2019 BMW 540i. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle, the failure recurred. The contact continuously depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle lunged forward and collided with a barrier and crashed into his neighbor's vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy upon impact. The contact was not treated for any injuries. A police report was not filed. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who discovered that the lower section of the accelerator pedal was fractured. The manufacturer was notified of the…
May 6, 2021 · 16,600 milesForward collision avoidance › Automatic emergency braking
VEHICLE WAS TRAVELLING AT 50 MPH, CLEAR DRY WEATHER, NO TRAFFIC IN FRONT OR IN REAR AND COLLISION AVOIDANCE BRAKING SYSTEM ACTIVATED WITHOUT CAUSE

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.