BMW 540i Recalls

What this means

NHTSA lists 23 recall campaigns covering at least one BMW 540i model year (1989–2024). Each campaign below shows the model years it covers, the official NHTSA text and the share of vehicles repaired so far.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026

Which model years each campaign covers

BMW 540i recall campaigns (rows) by model year covered (columns), 2000–2024
Campaign	2000	2001	2002	2003	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024
26V525000 Power train	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	covered	covered	covered	not covered
24V697000 Brake	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	covered
21V598000 Engine	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered
21V554000 Seat belt	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	covered	not covered	not covered	not covered
21V096000 Rear camera	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	covered	covered	not covered	not covered	not covered
21V046000 Power train	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	covered	covered	not covered	not covered	not covered
20V761000 Electrical	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	covered	not covered	not covered	not covered
20V598000 Rear camera	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	covered	covered	not covered	not covered	not covered
20V243000 Air bag	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered
19V684000 Rear camera	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	covered	covered	covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered
19V015000 Air bag	covered	covered	covered	covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered
18V465000 Engine	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered
15V318000 Air bag	not covered	not covered	covered	covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered
03V421000 Air bag	not covered	covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered
02V138000 Engine	not covered	covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered
01V206000 Engine	not covered	covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered
00V048000 Brake	covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered	not covered

● = the campaign lists this model year. Source: NHTSA recalls file, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

All 23 campaigns, newest first

Listed for 2021, 2022, 2023 BMW 540i. Not checked against your VIN.

Recall 26V525000 Filed Aug 12, 2026

Loss of Rear Wheel Power from Driveshaft Damage

Power train · driveline · driveshaft

Repair progress not yet reported27,720 vehicles potentially affected

Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026

Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 26V525000

Listed for 2024 BMW 540i. Not checked against your VIN.

Recall 24V697000 Filed Sep 18, 2024

Improperly Welded Brake Control Module May Fail

Electronic stability control (esc) · control module

98.1% repairedof 309 vehicles

Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026

Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 24V697000

Listed for 2020 BMW 540i. Not checked against your VIN.

Recall 21V598000 Filed Aug 2, 2021

Loss of Braking Assist

Engine

95.9% repairedof 50,024 vehicles

Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026

Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 21V598000

Listed for 2021 BMW 540i. Not checked against your VIN.

Recall 21V554000 Filed Jul 21, 2021

Passenger Seat Belt Malfunction/FMVSS 208

Seat belts

98.8% repairedof 21,537 vehicles

Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026

Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 21V554000

Listed for 2020, 2021 BMW 540i. Not checked against your VIN.

Recall 21V096000 Filed Feb 19, 2021

Rearview Camera Image Malfunction/FMVSS 111

Back over prevention · sensing system · camera

97.6% repairedof 13,858 vehicles

Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026

Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 21V096000

Listed for 2020, 2021 BMW 540i. Not checked against your VIN.

Recall 21V046000 Filed Feb 3, 2021

Output Shafts May Break

Power train · driveline · driveshaft

100% repairedof 28 vehicles

Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026

Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 21V046000

Listed for 2021 BMW 540i. Not checked against your VIN.

Recall 20V761000 Filed Dec 9, 2020

48V Battery Connection Misassembled

Electrical system · 12v/24v/48v battery

99.8% repairedof 812 vehicles

Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026

Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 20V761000

Listed for 2020, 2021 BMW 540i. Not checked against your VIN.

Recall 20V598000 Filed Sep 30, 2020

Rearview Camera Image Obscured/FMVSS 111

Back over prevention · sensing system · camera

100% repairedof 312 vehicles

Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026

Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 20V598000

Listed for 2017 BMW 540i. Not checked against your VIN.

Recall 20V243000 Filed Apr 29, 2020

Head Air Bag Inflator Humidity Exceeds Specs

Air bags

87.9% repairedof 33 vehicles

Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026

Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 20V243000

Listed for 2018, 2019, 2020 BMW 540i. Not checked against your VIN.

Recall 19V684000 Filed Sep 27, 2019

No Back-Up Camera Display Image/FMVSS 111

Back over prevention · sensing system · camera

96.6% repairedof 257,473 vehicles

Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026

Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 19V684000

Listed for 2000–2003 BMW 540i. Not checked against your VIN.

NHTSA: Do not drive. NHTSA says owners should not drive these vehicles until the recall repair is done. What a Do Not Drive recall means

Recall 19V015000 Filed Jan 14, 2019

Inflators In Sports Steering Wheels May Explode

Air bags · frontal · driver side · inflator module

23.2% repairedof 157,549 vehicles

Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026

Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 19V015000

Listed for 2018 BMW 540i. Not checked against your VIN.

Recall 18V465000 Filed Jul 11, 2018

Crankshaft Sensor Firmware may Cause Stall

Engine and engine cooling · engine

98.2% repairedof 5,309 vehicles

Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026

Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 18V465000

Listed for 2002, 2003 BMW 540i. Not checked against your VIN.

NHTSA: Do not drive. NHTSA says owners should not drive these vehicles until the recall repair is done. What a Do Not Drive recall means

Recall 15V318000 Filed May 28, 2015

Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture

Air bags · frontal · driver side · inflator module

33.4% repairedof 419,235 vehicles

Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026

Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 15V318000

Listed for 2001 BMW 540i. Not checked against your VIN.

Recall 03V421000 Filed Oct 24, 2003

BMW/AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE

Air bags · frontal · sensor/control module-inactive

Repair progress not yet reported23,000 vehicles potentially affected

Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026

Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 03V421000

Listed for 2001 BMW 540i. Not checked against your VIN.

Recall 02V138000 Filed May 16, 2002

BMW/ENGINE AUXILIARY/COOLING FAN

Engine and engine cooling · cooling system · fan

Repair progress not yet reported1,550 vehicles potentially affected

Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026

Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 02V138000

Listed for 2001 BMW 540i. Not checked against your VIN.

Recall 01V206000 Filed Jun 21, 2001

BMW/ENGINE AUXILIARY/COOLING FAN

Engine and engine cooling · cooling system · fan

Repair progress not yet reported76,469 vehicles potentially affected

Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026

Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 01V206000

Listed for 2000 BMW 540i. Not checked against your VIN.

Recall 00V048000 Filed Feb 17, 2000

BMW/BRAKE LAMPS

Exterior lighting · brake lights · switch

Repair progress not yet reported17,700 vehicles potentially affected

Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026

Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 00V048000

Listed for 1999 BMW 540i. Not checked against your VIN.

Recall 99V004000 Filed Jan 4, 1999

BMW/GENERATOR CABLE ATTACHMENT

Electrical system · 12v/24v/48v battery · cables

Repair progress not yet reported1,615 vehicles potentially affected

Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026

Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 99V004000

Listed for 1989–1995 BMW 540i. Not checked against your VIN.

Recall 98V178000 Filed Aug 4, 1998

BMW/COOLANT SYSTEM

Engine and engine cooling · cooling system

Repair progress not yet reported340,000 vehicles potentially affected

Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026

Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 98V178000

Listed for 1998 BMW 540i. Not checked against your VIN.

Recall 98V142000 Filed Jun 22, 1998

BMW/REAR AXLE DIFFERENTIAL

Power train · driveline · differential unit

Repair progress not yet reported1,100 vehicles potentially affected

Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026

Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 98V142000

Listed for 1994, 1995 BMW 540i. Not checked against your VIN.

Recall 97V131000 Filed Aug 19, 1997

BMW/CRUISE CONTROL-THROTTLE CABLE

Vehicle speed control

Repair progress not yet reported410,000 vehicles potentially affected

Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026

Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 97V131000

Listed for 1994 BMW 540i. Not checked against your VIN.

Recall 96V111000 Filed Jul 1, 1996

BMW/BRAKES:HYDRAULIC:SWITCH:BRAKE LIGHT

Exterior lighting · brake lights · switch

Repair progress not yet reported180,000 vehicles potentially affected

Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026

Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 96V111000

Listed for 1994 BMW 540i. Not checked against your VIN.

Recall 94V017000 Filed Jan 27, 1994

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRIC POWER ACCESSORIES:WINDOWS

Visibility · power window devices and controls

Repair progress not yet reported1,400 vehicles potentially affected

Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026

Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 94V017000

Where to next

BMW 540i problems by yearModel overview →Which 540i years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Data sources

NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026
US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026
NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026
NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026
EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026
EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included

Processing

Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.

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