2018 BMW 540I problems, complaints & recalls

2018 BMW 540I recalls (2)

• Recall 19V684000Sep 27, 2019257,473 vehicles
  BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

  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.

  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.

• Recall 18V465000Jul 11, 20185,309 vehicles
  ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

  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.

  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.

Recent 2018 BMW 540I complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Apr 5, 2026NJAirbagsElectrical SystemSeats & Seat Belts

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11729268 · source
2. Filed Jan 18, 2026WIEngine

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11711754 · source
3. Filed Oct 19, 2025TXDriver Assistance & Safety TechOther / Unknown

   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

   NHTSA complaint #11694413 · source
4. Filed Sep 10, 2025FLAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts

   "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…

   NHTSA complaint #11686413 · source
5. Filed Jul 2, 2025TXElectrical SystemVisibility & Wipers

   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.…

   NHTSA complaint #11670682 · source
6. Filed Mar 13, 2025FLAirbagsSeats & Seat Belts

   i was just driving my bmw and a airbag light and a malfunction error popped up on my dashboard, that read that the Passenger restraint system has malfunctioned. and i was doing some research on what was wrong with my car, and all the forums are indicating that this is a very common issue on these cars due to a bad seat occupancy sensor mat. to fix this you either still have to have an extended warranty if you don’t have one you have to pay upwards of 3,000$ to get this part…

   NHTSA complaint #11648020 · source
7. Filed Feb 9, 2025SCCrash1 injuredSeats & Seat Belts

   Constantly pops up a message for passenger restraint system malfunction. I had an accident where I swerved off the road into a ditch at about 60 mph. I the driver was not hurt and the passenger wouldn’t have been hurt either if it was for the passenger seat belt not locking correctly at first and then repeatedly locking and unlocking the entire time hurting his chest.

   NHTSA complaint #11641549 · source
8. Filed Jan 16, 2025NYSuspensionTransmission & DrivetrainWheels & Tires

   On September 11, 2024, I took my vehicle to BMW of Great Neck for a tire and rim job under insurance. BMW failed to return my lug nuts, leaving my vehicle in an unsafe condition. It took nearly a month for them to provide the missing lug nuts. Upon inspection, each wheel had fewer than the required 5 lug nuts, creating a serious safety risk. On September 24, 2024, I had to return to BMW due to a Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) sensor issue, which should not have occurred after…

   NHTSA complaint #11636282 · source

Compare the 2018 BMW 540I with another vehicle →

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology