2017 BMW 540i

Routine

Owners filed 20 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the air bags. It has been recalled 1 time.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Air Bags5
000
Service Brakes2
000
Exterior Lighting2
000
Electrical System2
000
Unknown or Other1
000
Tires › Sidewall1
000
Tires1
000
Steering1
000
Seats1
000
Seat Belts1
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Air Bags20V243000
Filed Apr 29, 202033 vehiclesBmw Of North America, Llc

Defect. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2017 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i and 540i xDrive and 2017-2018 530e xDrive vehicles. Prior exposure to excessive levels of humidity within the driver and passenger head air bag inflators may affect the proper deployment of the head air bags.

Risk. In the event of a crash of sufficient severity, deployment of the head air bag may be impaired and/or the igniter could separate from the inflator, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left or right head air bag, free of charge. The recall began June 24, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Tires
Filed Feb 25, 202670,000 milesTN

The contact owns a 2017 BMW 540I equipped with a Zenna Tires, Tire Line: Argus/UHP, Tire Size: 275/30/ZR20, DOT Number: 045YNAUY84924. The contact stated the driver's side rear tire was slowly deflating. The vehicle was taken to a Tire Shop, and the technician became aware of bubbles on the tire. The tire was replaced on a Friday, and the following Monday, the new tire indicated that the tire pressure was 0 PSI. The Tire Shop was contacted and refused to replace the tire or provide additional assistance. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The tire failure mileage was approximately 10,000. The vehicle failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Nov 24, 2025TX

As per [XXX] RE: Recall 22V-xxx: Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) Valve Heater – B11 01 22 This should be covered by BMW but they charges us and not refunding review charges below [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 10, 2025TX

While driving on highways when there is no car in front of me, my car suddenly warns me of collision and applies brakes automatically! This almost caused an accident with the cars behind me. They were about to collide with me from behind because my car was applying brakes automatically without my control. Please help me urgently.

Seats
Filed Dec 16, 2024FL

Driver seat restraint module system malfunction.

Engine
Filed Dec 15, 2024NC

Vehicle has severely poor quality coolant hoses made from poor quality material that cannot withstand the flow of pressure within the coolant system process. Leading to the hoses deteriorating from internal pressure thus causing the coolant hoses to leak. The coolant sensors only indicate low coolant levels when there is, 1 and 3/4 inches of coolant liquid left which is 70% lower than the minimum coolant line within the main coolant reservoir which can then lead to engine failure that could result into a vehicle accident or wreck causing injury or even death. This problem has been commonly known and reported throughout the BMW community for BMW’s with the Generation 1 & 2 B58 engine models. I have taken my vehicle to two local BMW Dealerships in my surrounding area and have been notified by those dealerships that the hoses have been tested and tried under extreme conditions and that the quality should not be pertaining to the coolant leak issue rather that the coolant leak issue is effected by age and wear and tear and possibility of environmental debris or other environmental factors depending on the state and area the vehicle is based and driven in. I find that statement given by both dealerships to be inaccurate as myself and other BMW owner’s have had these issues within 50,000 miles or less and the vehicle being garage kept and only obtained between 10,000-12,000 miles annually. I sincerely branch out to the National Highway Safety Administration for additional support i

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 18, 2024CO

On G models of the bmw 5 series. Ac coil leaks r1234yf freon which causes safety issue due to the gas being exposed into the cabin of the car and to the atmosphere. Dealerships wants $5000-7000 for this repair as the whole dash needs to come out. This is almost a guaranteed failure and BMW has failed to recall for this fix. This issue arises usually at 50k-70k miles. There are no lights that come out everything will work but AC will not.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Feb 6, 2024OK

Daytime running lights are dim or discolored. SIB 63 04 was issued acknowledging the problem, however repairs are only covered under the new vehicle warranty. In most cases, the issue occurs after the new vehicle warranty has expired.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 3, 2023MA

1. Airbag Light - Repaired on 9/18/23 ( cause : pass. front seat occupancy detection ) a. no explanation needed b. replaced by dealer c. warning chime and message on dash d. Labor and part cost $2380.93 2. Instrument Cluster - Repaired on 9/18/23 ( Blackout , loss of speedometer , fuel level , engine temp. directional indicator , etc. a. Cluster would blink ( on - off ) than total blackout. b. Labor and part cost $1905.28

Tires › Sidewall
Filed Apr 12, 2023IL

2017 BMW 540I. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO SIDEWALL ISSUES WITH PIRELLI RUN FLAT TIRES.

Steering
Filed Feb 21, 2023NC

The steering wheel will not go to its set position. BMW Dealer Service ran tests and found that the steering column hall effect sensor is faulty and is integral to the steering column. They have mentioned that the steering wheel adjustment will stop functioning in the future. If the steering wheel column cant be adjusted, it seems to create risky driving conditions for the driver. The dealer has reproduced and confirmed the issue. There were no other symptoms or warning messages.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Feb 21, 2023NC

Daytime Running Lights on the driver's side are malfunctioning. Connection between headlight housing and the daytime running lights are melted. Dealer found faults stored for headlight malfunction. They recommended replacing headlighthousing and LED module. The dealer has reproduced and confirmed the issue.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 12, 2023AZ

Passenger Restraint System error in BMW seems to be a common problem. This should be looked over for a recall issue.

Air Bags
Filed Oct 2, 2022NY

The passanger seat on this car’s seatbelt and airbags have malfioned numerous times. 3/2021 seat belt warning, seat matpad replaced 9/2022 air bag malfunction while driving with a passenger on highway. Once again seat matpad replaced. Car no longer in warranty $2500. It is extremely dangerous that this passanger seat keeps failing. What if I got into an accident on highway and malfunction happened right before accident? Many people on bmw post complaining about seat belt warning and air bag malfunction. You can contact BMW, from 2017 until now, the car has neen in shop 4 times with passenger seatbelt and now airbag malfunction warnings. All services done at bmw of bayshore. I have included invoices I kept on this malfunctioned passenger seat

Air Bags
Filed Sep 24, 2022NJ

Passenger seat in 2017 BMW 5 series cars have a well known and not covered fault where in a loud chiming will go off requiring the passenger seatbelt to be buckled. This chime does not stop and continues until the seat belt is buckled. There is nothing in the passengers seat. The noise is very loud and distracting. It occurs at random including driving at highway speeds. Upon bringing this to my dealer's attention they informed me that a service to repair this safety issue would cost over $2,000. I believe this will result in an unnecessary loss of life due to people either a) people fully removing the (sometimes valid) notifications of a no seatbelt warning, or b) an owner becoming alarmed by the sudden and loud chimes, possibly not knowing how to prevent the sound, and causing an accident If required I have a video of the incident (which happens daily now) if required. These issues are well documented on the BMW G30 forums for the 2017 model year.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 18, 2022MD

The Instrument Cluster Display Shakes and goes completely black unable to know haw fast Your driving with all the system down You never know when its going to happen

Air Bags
Filed Jan 25, 2022CA

Front Passenger Seat Malfunction - Intermittent on and off warning No risk yet but BMW road aside assist confirmed that air bag might not deploy on passenger side Vehicle inspected by Irvine BMW and warning or concerns shown, just tried to bill me without root causing the issue. Yes the warning comes up on and off. Intermittent.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 18, 202121,000 milesVA

BACKUP CAMERA IS BLACKING OUT. VERY DANGEROUS. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR 2018-19 BMW'S BUT NOT FOR 2017 BMWS. FORUMS ALSO REPORT A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS REVERSE CAMERA.

Power Train
Filed Dec 10, 2020CA

"REFILL COOLANT" INDICATOR DISPLAYS EVEN WITH FULL RESERVOIRS. TWO TRIPS TO THE DEALER SO FAR, FOR REPAIRS. COMES ON WHEN DRIVING OR WHEN PARKED, AFTER DRIVING; AFTER OPENING DRIVER DOOR. FOR EXAMPLE, DRIVE ONE DAY. PARKED OVER NIGHT. MESSAGE DISPLAYS NEXT DAY WHEN DRIVER DOOR IS OPENED. GOES AWAY AGAIN AFTER A DRIVE, WITHOUT ADDING ANY FLUID. SAME EXACT ISSUE AS OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING HERE: HTTPS://G30.BIMMERPOST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=1526216&PAGE=1

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 3, 201920,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 BMW 540I. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF, AND RESTARTED, IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. ALSO, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ON ANY INCLINED HILL OR ROAD, THE BRAKES ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PRINCETON BMW (3630 QUAKERBRIDGE RD, HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ 08619, (609) 528-4198) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE DEALER REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD TO REPAIR THE BRAKE SENSORS AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE BRAKE SENSORS WERE LOCATED IN THE WINDSHIELD. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. AN INVESTIGATION WAS PERFORMED, BUT NO FAILURES WERE FOUND. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.

Seat Belts
Filed Feb 27, 20187,500 milesNJ

I HAD DROPPED OFF THE VEHICLE FOR SWAPPING OUT MY WINTER TIRES FOR ALL SEASON TIRES. THEIR TECHNICIANS REMOVED THE REAR SEAT BELT LATCHES AND INSTALLED THEM INCORRECTLY. THIS WORK WAS NEITHER APPROVED BY ME OR MENTIONED ON THE WORK ORDER. I WAS ALSO NOT VERBALLY INFORMED OF THIS WORK BEING PERFORMED. THIS WORK WAS CLEARLY NOT TESTED OR COMPLETED PROPERLY BY THEIR TECHNICIANS. IT CAUSED THE REAR SEAT BELTS TO NOT LATCH INTO PLACE CORRECTLY AND I WAS UNABLE TO INSTALL MY CHILD'S CAR SEAT TO THE CAR SECURELY. THE WORK WAS PERFORMED BY BMW OF SPRINGFIELD NJ. HAD I NOT TRIED INSTALLING MY CAR SEAT, I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT ANYONE SITTING IN THE REAR RIGHT OR MIDDLE SEAT WOULD NOT BE SECURE DURING A CRASH.

20 of 20 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2018
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20251000Routine
20245100Routine
20235100Routine
20226100Routine
20218600Routine
20203500Routine
201911100Routine
201831200Routine
2017 — this page20100Routine
20037200Do not drive
200212200Do not drive
200115400Do not drive
200031220Do not drive
199922100Routine
199826100Routine
199727020Routine
199510210Routine
19948400Routine
19930100Routine
19920100Routine
19910100Routine
19900100Routine

Compare every 540i year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Apr 29, 2020. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.