2018 BMW 540i recalls and problems

The 2018 BMW 540i has 2 safety recalls and 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any BMW dealer.

Recalls
2
Complaints
31
Crashes / fires
3 / 0
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2018 BMW 540i vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2018 BMW 540i recalls

Recall 19V-684: Back Over Prevention

Reported Sep 27, 2019 · 257,473 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

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 18V-465: Engine and Engine Cooling

Reported Jul 11, 2018 · 5,309 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

Problem: 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, 230i M240i, M240i xDrive, X2 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 330i, 330i xDrive, 340i, 340i xDrive, 330i xDrive Gran Turismo, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, 530e, 530e xDrive, 640i xDrive Gran Turismo, 330e, 2019 430i Gran Coupe, 430i xDrive Gran Coupe, 440i Gran Coupe, 440i xDrive Gran Coupe, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, 740i, 740i xDrive, MINI Cooper, Cooper S, JCW, MINI Countryman (Cooper, Cooper All4, Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW All4), and MINI Clubman (Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper All4, Cooper S All4, JCW All4) vehicles.

Risk: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

2018 BMW 540i problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Air Bags19
Seat Belts11
Seats10
Unknown or Other4
Electrical System4
Engine3
Power Train2
Lane Departure2
Service Brakes1
Tires1
Latches/Locks/Linkages1
Wheels1

Most reported parts

  • Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification — 4
  • Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module — 1
  • Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch — 1
  • Lane Departure › Blind Spot Detection — 1
  • Lane Departure › Warning — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 9,800 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2018 BMW 540i complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Air Bags · reported Apr 5, 2026
On and off system notification of "Passenger Restraint System Malfunction" with and without a passenger in the seat. Also, the Airbag off/disabled light on the instrument cluster illuminated. Can't seem to declare if it is an electrical shortage, seatbelt buckle related or passenger pressure sensor sensor in the seat. Find this to be a major safety concern should there be an accident, and unsure whether the airbags will deploy or not. BMW should investigate this concern.
Engine · reported Jan 18, 2026
For this item - Please refer to NTHSA RECALL 18V-465 : BMW Crank Sensor Recall 9/12/2018. In particular - this refers to a 2018 BMW 540ix. Specifically, "VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTUTRED WITH A CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, THAT DUE TO SENSOR FIRMWARE, CANNOT ACCURATELY PROCESS THE INPUT FROM THE CRANKSHAFT RELUCTOR RING. BASIS FOR RECALL POPULATION DETERMINATION: SUPPLIER PRODUCTION INFORMATION WAS USED TO IDENTIFY THE START AND END DATE OF THE AFFECTED CRANKSHAFT SENSORS WHICH THEN CORRELATED WITH ENGINE PRODUCTION AND VEHICLE ASSEMBLY INFORMATION TO DETERMINE THE START DATE (5/18/2018) AND THE END…
Unknown or Other · reported Oct 19, 2025
Recurring System Failures: My vehicle has exhibited intermittent and unpredictable system malfunctions, including engine stalling, braking issues, and electronic system failures. These pose serious safety risks and have made driving increasingly hazardous.continual tire pressure monitor reset light warning after reset 100 % measurement successful. rebalance all tires light reappear distant same spots
Seat Belts · reported Sep 10, 2025
"Passenger Restraint System (Malfunction)" warning appears on the main screen and instrument panel blocking other information and cannot be removed from instrument panel WHILE THE SEATBELT HAS WORKED NORMAL. I researched the problem and found several threads about this problem on the BMW owners forums and found several discussions by numerous owners that said it is FAULTY SENSOR problem which is WIDESPREAD and deserves a recall. The odometer reading of this car, which was purchased in 2017, is about 28,000 miles now; the problem started when the odo was about 18,000. As a faulty sensor…
Visibility/Wiper · reported Jul 2, 2025
Infotainment System interplay through audio voices coming from place of employment this have been unusual to audio system in various of my vehicles this over the air bugs are safety concerns as well as frequent unexpected wiper blade activation without touching for auto movement complex to electrical issues uncommon to vehicle routing infotainment system leading to unexpected interruptions sending false signals to vehicle electrical system causing many interruptions. highlighting the growing complexity and potential risks associated with vehicle software.implications, and solutions for these…

Other BMW 540i years

Compare all BMW 540i years · All BMW models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2018 BMW 540i have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2018 BMW 540i: 19V-684 (back over prevention), 18V-465 (engine and engine cooling). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2018 BMW 540i?

Owners report air bags problems most often (19 reports), followed by seat belts (11). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 9,800 miles.

Are BMW recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized BMW dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.