The 2018 BMW 540i has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 262,782 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 57 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
BACK OVER PREVENTION19V6840002019-09-27257,473 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING18V4650002018-07-115,309 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
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.
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS
14
SEAT BELTS
9
1crashes1injuries
SEATS
8
1crashes1injuries
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
4
1crashes1injuries
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
4
ENGINE
3
POWER TRAIN
2
1crashes1injuries
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
1
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
1
Total complaints57
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“Sunroof exploded, glass shards everywhere. This has to be a manufacturer defect”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2018 BMW 540i as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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