The Used Car Index

2018 BMW 540I problems

NHTSA lists 31 complaints for the 2018 BMW 540I, 3 of them mention a crash and 0 mention a fire. 2 complaints mention an injury, with 2 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-08.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as BMW 540I.

At a glance

Complaints
31
With crash
3
With fire
0
With injury (complaints)
2
Injuries
2
Deaths
0
Recalls
2
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
257,473
Investigations
0
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
286

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
AIR BAGS1445.2%
SEAT BELTS1135.5%
SEATS1032.3%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM412.9%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER412.9%
ENGINE39.7%
POWER TRAIN26.5%
LANE DEPARTURE13.2%
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES13.2%
SERVICE BRAKES13.2%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
AIR BAGSSENSOR4
AIR BAGSFRONTAL1
LANE DEPARTUREBLIND SPOT DETECTION1
LANE DEPARTUREWARNING1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESHOOD1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
restraint or airbag1651.6%0.91
electrical electronic722.6%0.85
loss of control39.7%0.84
mechanical failure39.7%0.86
fluid or fuel leak13.2%0.46
unclear13.2%0.76
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate2167.7%0.79
low722.6%0.75
high39.7%0.95

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 31 tagged complaints of 31 complaints (100.0%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

2 recalls.

19V684000

Date: 2019-09-27. Systems: BACK OVER PREVENTION.

Defect: 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 M50 (excerpt)

Consequence: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

18V465000

Date: 2018-07-11. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

Defect: 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, 2 (excerpt)

Consequence: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

0 investigations; 0 open.

Manufacturer communications

286 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM120
EQUIPMENT101
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING31
STEERING18
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY17
ENGINE16
BACK OVER PREVENTION14
EXTERIOR LIGHTING13

11024726

Date: 2025-10-29. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

A situation may occur where the front passenger seat is not occupied; however, a a fasten seat belta warning and a front passenger seat air bag deactivation message appears. If the situation is currently present, sit in the seat and move the seat to a slightly different position. The POL (Passeng

11017101

Date: 2025-04-18. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

The Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) Front Passengera s Seat Occupancy Capacitive Interior Sensor (CIS) Mat for defects in materials and/or workmanship that causes a false seat occupancy alert to occur has been extended to 10 years / 120,000 miles as determined from the vehicle's original in-se

11000579

Date: 2024-05-02. Type: Warranty Program/Extension. Systems: ENGINE.

EVAP SYSTEM PURGE (VENT) VALVE EXT LTD WTY (ELW) 15/150

10252031

Date: 2024-03-14. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.

One or more of the LED daytime running lights are dim or discolored.

10252038

Date: 2024-03-04. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.

Check Control message (CCM) indicates: (ID 213): Stop, exercising due care. Voltage supply The Service Engine Soon light is on with the following DME Fault Code: 21B209 - Starter alternator / belt for 48V system (OSA_RIEMEN_RISS): Belt betweenCombustion engine and starter generator torn And/or o

10249437

Date: 2024-01-16. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY.

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

10249027

Date: 2024-01-11. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle A A?A A A A discharged batteryA A?A A A A compl

10249018

Date: 2024-01-08. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STEERING.

At low outside temperatures (below 40 degrees F) and slow driving speeds (i.e. when parking, maneuvering)with a large steering angle, the front end can be slightly axially misaligned. This can be felt (jerking)/ heard via an acoustic acknowledgement (clunk) as seen at the 11 second mark of the vide

10249032

Date: 2024-01-05. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT.

The Central Information Display goes black intermittently due to resets of the Head Unit (HU-H3). FaultB7F8F9 A A A A A A A A?A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A?A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A HU-H: ResetA A A A A A A A?A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A will be stored in the HU-H3.

10249017

Date: 2024-01-04. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STEERING.

SITUATION Unusual noises occur only when operating the steering column in the axial direction. 1. A one-time thump sound at the start of movement Shortly after the steering column starts moving, retracting, or extending, a one-time thump noise is heard. See attached video V32 03 23 2. Humming no

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
540I31

Same model, other years

All model years | All BMW models

Other BMW models, 2018

  • X3: 76 complaints
  • X5: 72 complaints
  • X1: 59 complaints
  • K1600B: 44 complaints
  • 430I: 36 complaints
  • 330I: 32 complaints
  • 530E: 27 complaints
  • 530I: 25 complaints

Sources

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