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2021 BMW 540i

5 recalls Most severe issue: Critical

All recalls are free to repair at your local dealership. Contact your dealer to schedule service.

Known Safety Recalls

Critical #21V046000 Plain English
Component

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The output shafts in your 5-series or 7-series BMW are the parts that connect your driveshaft to the wheels, transferring power to keep your vehicle moving. In some 2020-2021 models, these shafts might be prone to breaking due to a manufacturing error.
Risk if Unfixed
If the output shaft fails, you could lose power or experience a rollaway situation if you're not using the parking brake in a parked vehicle. This could increase the risk of a crash.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty output shaft with a new one, at no cost to you. You should schedule the repair when you receive the recall notice, and it will be done free of charge.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 530i xDrive, 540i xDrive and 2021 740Li xDrive vehicles. The output shafts (left/right) which transfer power from the driveshaft to the rear wheels may break due to a heat treatment error during supplier production.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
A broken output shaft can lead to a loss of drive power or a rollaway condition in a parked vehicle (if the parking brake is not engaged), increasing the risk of a crash.
Original — Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the output shaft(s), free of charge. The recall began March 24, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #21V554000 Plain English
Component

SEAT BELTS

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) in your vehicle's passenger seat belt helps keep you safe by locking the belt in place while the seat is being used. However, in certain models, this feature could fail to work properly, causing the belt to retract too soon.
Risk if Unfixed
If the ALR fails in a crash, the seat belt might not keep you secure, increasing the risk of serious injury.
Free Fix
Your authorized BMW or MINI dealer will inspect and replace the seat belt retractor if necessary – at no cost to you. You should schedule the repair as soon as you receive the recall notice, and you can contact the dealer or the company's customer service for more information.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 2 Series (230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive), 330e, 330e Xdrive, 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive) M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, BMW 4 Series Convertible (430i, M440i), BMW X1 sDrive28i, xDrive28i, 2 Series Gran Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i xDrive), M2 Competition Coupe, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, M3, M3 Competition, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, CooperS, JCW), X2 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i, X2 M35i, Z4 sDrive30i, Z4 M40i, MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper SE), MINI Convertible (Cooper, Cooper S, JCW), MINI Clubman (Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW), MINI Countryman (Cooper, Cooper All4, Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW All4), Rolls Royce Ghost, MINI Countryman (Cooper S E All4), Rolls Royce Phantom, Rolls Royce Cullinan, and Toyota Supra vehicles. The passenger seat belt Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) may deactivate early, before the webbing fully retracts. As such, these assemblies fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Original — Risk if Unfixed
During a crash, a seat belt retractor that does not function as intended increases the risk of injury.
Original — Remedy
Dealers will inspect the seat belt retractors (including the seat belts) and, if necessary, replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417; 1-866-825-1525 (MINI); 1-877-877-3735 (Rolls Royce); and 1-888-270-9371 (Toyota).
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Moderate #20V761000 Plain English
Component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The 48-Volt battery in your vehicle helps power extra features like your engine assistant. In some 2021 models, the connection to the starter-generator might not be secure.
Risk if Unfixed
If the connection isn't secure, it could cause a fire, especially if the electrical resistance gets too high. This could put your vehicle and everyone inside at risk.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will check the connection between the 48-Volt battery and the starter-generator. If it's not secure, they'll replace it with a new one, free of charge, and you should schedule the repair when you get the recall notice.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 M340i xDrive, M440i xDrive Coupe, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 840i Gran Coupe, 840i xDrive Gran Coupe, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, and X7 xDrive40i vehicles. The connection between the 48-Volt battery and the starter-generator may not have been assembled properly, which can cause increased electrical resistance at the connections.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
Increased electrical resistance can increase the risk of a fire.
Original — Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the connection between the 48-Volt battery and the starter-generator assembly, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 12, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Under Review #21V096000 Plain English
Component

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The rearview camera in your vehicle is an important system that shows you what's behind your car when you're in reverse. In some 2019-2021 BMW models, a small part of the camera image might be missing or not turn on when you shift into Reverse.
Risk if Unfixed
If you're relying only on the rearview camera and it's not showing you the whole picture, you could be at risk of a crash or injury.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will check the camera software and update it if needed, all for free. You should schedule the service as soon as you get the recall notice.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, Alpina XB7, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, and 8 Series Coupe, Convertible and Grand Coupe, 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8, 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le, 745Le xDrive, X5 xDrive45e, X3 xDrive30e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 740i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, M760i Drive, M760Li xDrive, 750Li xDrive Alpina, Alpina B7 xDrive, and 2021 4 Series Coupe 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive vehicles. When shifting into Reverse, a small portion of the rearview image may be obscured, or the screen may not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Original — Risk if Unfixed
If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Original — Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Under Review #20V598000 Plain English
Component

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The rearview camera in your vehicle provides a clear view of what's behind you. In some affected models, a small part of the image may be cut off, making it harder to see what's behind you.
Risk if Unfixed
If you rely on the rearview camera alone, a partially obstructed view could increase the risk of a crash or injury, especially when reversing into a tight space or when a child or pet is behind your vehicle.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will update the camera software to provide a full, unobstructed view, free of charge. You'll receive a notification with instructions on how to schedule the update.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 X3 sDrive 30i, X3 xDrive 30i, X3M 40i, X3 xDrive 30e, X4 xDrive 30i, X4M 40i, 530i, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 550e, 550e xDrive, and 550e iPerformance vehicles. A small portion of the rearview image may be slightly obscured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Original — Risk if Unfixed
If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Original — Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, program the rearview camera with updated software. The recall began November 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →

Browse by Component

BACK OVER PREVENTION
2 recalls
POWER TRAIN
1 recall
SEAT BELTS
1 recall
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 recall

Other BMW 540i Years

2024
1 recall
2020
5 recalls
2019
1 recall
2018
2 recalls
2017
1 recall
2003
2 recalls
2002
2 recalls
2001
4 recalls
2000
2 recalls

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