2020 BMW 540I Complaints and Recall Information
The 2020 BMW 540i has 0 complaints and 6 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report issues related to the rearview camera display and engine management software, which have prompted multiple recalls. There are no individual complaints noted outside of these recall-related concerns.
Six recalls affect various systems including rearview camera functionality, engine software, and drivetrain components. The recalls address safety hazards such as obscured rearview images and loss of braking assist as well as potential driveline failures.
Recalls- Rearview camera software. Recall 21V096000 affects 13,858 vehicles including the 2020 540i. When shifting into reverse, a portion of the rearview image may be obscured or the screen may fail to illuminate, violating FMVSS 111. The risk includes increased crash potential if drivers rely solely on the camera. Dealers will update the software free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021.
- Engine management software. Recall 21V598000 covers 50,024 vehicles including the 2020 540i. During engine start, the software may cause loss of braking assist though mechanical braking remains available. This increases crash risk. Dealers will perform a free software update. Owner notification occurred September 17, 2021.
- Driveshaft output shafts. Recall 21V046000 affects 28 vehicles including some 540i xDrive models from 2020-2021. Output shafts may break due to a heat treatment error, potentially causing loss of drive power or a vehicle rollaway if parking brake is not set. Dealers will replace defective shafts at no charge. The recall began March 24, 2021.
- Rearview camera image loss. Recall 20V598000 involves 312 vehicles including the 2020 540i. A small portion of the rearview image may be slightly obscured, violating FMVSS 111. Dealers will inspect and reprogram the rearview camera if needed, free of charge. The recall started November 18, 2020.
- Backup camera display settings. Recall 19V684000 includes 257,473 vehicles including the 2020 540i. Camera and display settings may be adjusted so the rearview image is not visible and the incorrect setting persists in reverse. This fails to meet FMVSS 111 requirements and elevates crash risk. BMW will update software free of charge. The recall started November 8, 2019.
Owners of the 2020 BMW 540i facing repeated repairs related to recalls or safety defects may want to review their state’s lemon law rights. Assistance from a qualified attorney specializing in consumer protection could be beneficial where persistent issues remain unresolved.
2020 BMW 540I Summary
2020
Model Year
0
Total Complaints
5
Total Recalls
321695
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2020 BMW 540I
50024 vehicles affected
ENGINE
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 M340i, M340i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, X3 M40i, 2020-2021 X4 M40i, 745Le xDrive, 2019-2021 Z4 M40i, and 2020-2021 Toyota Supra vehicles. During engine start, the engine management software may cause loss of braking assist. Full mechanical braking (without assist) remains available.
Risk: Loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
2020 BMW 540I
13858 vehicles affected
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, Alpina XB7, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, and 8 Series Coupe, Convertible and Grand Coupe, 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8, 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le, 745Le xDrive, X5 xDrive45e, X3 xDrive30e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 740i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, M760i Drive, M760Li xDrive, 750Li xDrive Alpina, Alpina B7 xDrive, and 2021 4 Series Coupe 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive vehicles. When shifting into Reverse, a small portion of the rearview image may be obscured, or the screen may not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
2020 BMW 540I
28 vehicles affected
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
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.
Risk: 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.
2020 BMW 540I
312 vehicles affected
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 X3 sDrive 30i, X3 xDrive 30i, X3M 40i, X3 xDrive 30e, X4 xDrive 30i, X4M 40i, 530i, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 550e, 550e xDrive, and 550e iPerformance vehicles. A small portion of the rearview image may be slightly obscured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
2020 BMW 540I
257473 vehicles affected
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.
Complaints
No complaints found.