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2021 BMW 540i POWER TRAIN Recalls

2 recalls Highest severity: Critical

All recalls are free to repair at your local dealership. Contact your dealer to schedule service for POWER TRAIN issues.

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POWER TRAIN Safety Recalls

Critical #26V525000 Plain English
Component

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The driveshaft in your vehicle is like a long rod that connects the transmission to the wheels. In certain 2022-2026 models, this connection can become damaged, causing a loss of power to the rear wheels.
Risk if Unfixed
If the driveshaft connection fails, you could lose power to the rear wheels while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. If you're parked and the parking brake isn't on, a damaged driveshaft could also cause your vehicle to roll away, putting you and others at risk of injury or a crash.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will inspect and repair or replace the driveshaft connection, as needed, at no cost to you. This repair is free, and you should schedule it when you receive your recall notice.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022-2026 840i, 840i xDrive, 2021-2023 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, and 2024-2026 750e xDrive vehicles. The connection between the driveshaft and the rear differential may become damaged, possibly resulting in a loss of power to the rear wheels or a vehicle rollaway.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
An unexpected loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash. In addition, a damaged driveshaft can result in a vehicle rollaway if the parking brake is not applied, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Original — Remedy
Dealers will inspect the connection between the driveshaft and rear axle differential, and apply adhesive or replace the driveshaft and rear axle differential, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 2, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 2, 2026.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
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 →

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