NHTSA Data Explorer
BMW 540i xDrive
Data refreshed May 30, 2026
Select a model year to filter results to that year of the BMW 540i xDrive.
Complaints
452
Active records
Recalls
28
Active records
TSBs
221
Active records
Filing history
Monthly totals over the last 20 years. Click a legend item to show or hide that series.
Reported severity
Based on consumer complaints filed since 2000. Recalls and TSBs do not include severity data.
Deaths
0
Injuries
14
Crashes
14
Fires
22
Top reported issues — BMW 540i xDrive
Click a category to expand its values.
Condition issue
Operating state
Safety restraint issue
Reporting mechanism
Performance issue
Engine behavior
Thermal issue
Noise
Fluid issue
Transmission/drivetrain behavior
Ride/handling behavior
Electrical issue
Vibration/harshness
Braking behavior
Steering behavior
Lighting behavior
Access/entry issue
Infotainment behavior
Safety restraint behavior
Smell
Starting behavior
Recent change
Driver assistance issue
Powering on/off behavior
HVAC behavior
Wiper/washer behavior
Communication/network issue
Recent filings
The 10 most recent filings for each type.
2008 BMW 5 SERIES
Filed Nov 5, 2025
My vehicle had a faulty PCV valve that was under Stop Drive, order. I received no correspondence from the NHTSA nor from BMW of North America in regards to this. My BMW X-5 had significant issues that are directly associated with this issue. After contacting BMW of North America directly because I could not reach anyone at my nearest BMW Service Department, it was escalated twice to attempt to arrange for my vehicle that I unknowingly continued to drive. My vehicle has sat undriven since May…
2018 BMW 540D
Filed Jul 15, 2024
The 540d has swirl flaps on the intake manifold to regulate air intake so it adjusts how much air the intake manifold feeds the engine. There's an actuator motor that connects to the swirl flap shaft that connects via a plastic linkage. When the linkage breaks, the flaps are no longer controlled by the actuator and stays in its semi closed state. The result is when you give it full throttle, it spews out plumes of black smoke that is thick and the equivalent to rolling coal on a deleted…
2018 BMW 540D
Filed Mar 5, 2024
My passenger restraint system randomly faults. Problem with passenger seat mat. Many BMW owners have reported the issue. Should be recalled by BMW.
2011 BMW 5 SERIES
Filed Mar 21, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 5 Series. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed as a camshaft failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number- 14V176000 ( Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,000. The VIN was not available.
2018 BMW 540D
Filed Jul 20, 2022
There is an exhaust leak which has developed in the turbo. This causes untreated fumes and soot to be emitted in the engine compartment. This untreated exhaust makes its way into the passenger cabin, putting passengers at safety risk due to untreated exhaust fumes entering the cabin. The dealership has acknowledged the issue and describes it as follows: The soot that you have seen and the smell is coming out of the wastegate shaft which by design there is a tolerance for it to move, but due…
2012 BMW 5 SERIES
Filed Jul 14, 2019
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON A ROAD WHEN A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I PARKED THE CAR HOME, SINCE I WAS CLOSE TO HOME. THE SAME WEEK I TOOK THE CAR TO A BMW SPECIALIST BECAUSE THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. AFTER $467.00 SPENT ON LABOR, JUST TO TELL ME I NEED A NEW ENGINE. THIS CAR HAS 72K MILES. THIS IS A CAR THAT I ONLY DROVE ON WEEKENDS AND NOT EVERY WEEKEND. THE CAR IS NOW PARKED IN MY GARAGE BECAUSE TO REPAIR IT IT WILL COST ME $11K. I HAVE HEARD THIS COMPLAINT FROM SEVERAL BMW OWNERS.…
2011 BMW 5 SERIES
Filed Jun 19, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 5-SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION IN WHICH THE VENT CONTROLS FAILED TO FUNCTION FOR THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATER. DUE TO THE EXTREME TEMPERATURES, THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. BMW OF WILMINGTON (4920 NEW CENTRE DR, WILMINGTON, NC 28403, (910) 392-2700) STATED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED AND WAS TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TESTED AND DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE DETAILS WERE…
2010 BMW 5 SERIES
Filed Jun 17, 2019
CAR STALLS AT HIGH SPEED, FUEL PUMP WARNINGS LIGHT COMES ON. CAR WILL RESET AFTER 30 MINS BUT WILL CONTINUE TO SHUT OFF DURING DRIVING. BOTH FUEL PUMPS HAVE BEEN REPLACED
2006 BMW 5 SERIES
Filed May 24, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW 5 SERIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LEAKED OIL AND THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE BRAKES WORKED NORMALLY WHEN APPLIED AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW POWER BRAKE BOOSTER AND VACUUM PUMP NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,932. *DT
2011 BMW 5 SERIES
Filed Mar 26, 2019
WHILE DRIVING WITH AC ON SMOKE STARTED COMING HEAVILY FOR THE INTERIOR AC VENTS. A VERY TOXIC SMOKE, WITH ELECTRICAL SMELL. I NOTICED THE BMW 3 SERIES HAS A RECALL ON ELECTRICAL BLOWER PROBLEM. I THINK MY CAR HAS THE SAME ISSUE.