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MODEL-YEAR RECALL REPORT

2021 BMW 540I recalls

NHTSA's September 21, 2026 snapshot lists 6 safety recall campaigns for the 2021 BMW 540I, spanning 4 component groups. A model match does not confirm that a specific VIN is included.

Official source: NHTSA recall campaign file · Snapshot September 21, 2026

Distinct campaigns6not VIN-specific
Component groups4distinct top-level categories
Latest recordAugust 12, 2026report received
VIN resultNot checkeduse official lookup

01 / OFFICIAL CAMPAIGNS

2021 BMW 540I recall campaigns

The 2021 BMW 540I report contains 6 distinct NHTSA campaigns; the most recently received record is campaign 26V525000 dated August 12, 2026.
CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 26V525000

Component
POWER TRAIN
Report received
August 12, 2026
Potential units
27,720campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022-2026 840i, 840i xDrive, 2021-2023 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, and 2024-2026 750e xDrive vehicles. The connection between the driveshaft and the rear differential may become damaged, possibly resulting in a loss of power to the rear wheels or a vehicle rollaway.

Why it matters: An unexpected loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash. In addition, a damaged driveshaft can result in a vehicle rollaway if the parking brake is not applied, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the connection between the driveshaft and rear axle differential, and apply adhesive or replace the driveshaft and rear axle differential, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 2, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 2, 2026.

Owner notification: Date not reported · Filing manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC

Component
SEAT BELTS
Report received
July 21, 2021
Potential units
21,537campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 2 Series (230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive), 330e, 330e Xdrive, 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive) M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, BMW 4 Series Convertible (430i, M440i), BMW X1 sDrive28i, xDrive28i, 2 Series Gran Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i xDrive), M2 Competition Coupe, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, M3, M3 Competition, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, CooperS, JCW), X2 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i, X2 M35i, Z4 sDrive30i, Z4 M40i, MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper SE), MINI Convertible (Cooper, Cooper S, JCW), MINI Clubman (Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW), MINI Countryman (Cooper, Cooper All4, Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW All4), Rolls Royce Ghost, MINI Countryman (Cooper S E All4), Rolls Royce Phantom, Rolls Royce Cullinan, and Toyota Supra vehicles. The passenger seat belt Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) may deactivate early, before the webbing fully retracts. As such, these assemblies fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection.".

Why it matters: During a crash, a seat belt retractor that does not function as intended increases the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the seat belt retractors (including the seat belts) and, if necessary, replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417; 1-866-825-1525 (MINI); 1-877-877-3735 (Rolls Royce); and 1-888-270-9371 (Toyota).

Owner notification: September 3, 2021 · Filing manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC

Component
BACK OVER PREVENTION
Report received
February 19, 2021
Potential units
13,858campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.".

Why it matters: 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.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Owner notification: April 16, 2021 · Filing manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 21V046000

Component
POWER TRAIN
Report received
February 3, 2021
Potential units
28campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.

Why it matters: 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.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the output shaft(s), free of charge. The recall began March 24, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Owner notification: March 24, 2021 · Filing manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 20V761000

Component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Report received
December 9, 2020
Potential units
812campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 M340i xDrive, M440i xDrive Coupe, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 840i Gran Coupe, 840i xDrive Gran Coupe, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, and X7 xDrive40i vehicles. The connection between the 48-Volt battery and the starter-generator may not have been assembled properly, which can cause increased electrical resistance at the connections.

Why it matters: Increased electrical resistance can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the connection between the 48-Volt battery and the starter-generator assembly, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 12, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Owner notification: March 30, 2021 · Filing manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC

Component
BACK OVER PREVENTION
Report received
September 30, 2020
Potential units
312campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: 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.".

Why it matters: If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, program the rearview camera with updated software. The recall began November 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Owner notification: November 18, 2020 · Filing manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC

02 / COMPONENT BREADTH

What defects are listed for the 2021 BMW 540I?

The most frequent component groups in 2021 BMW 540I campaign records are Back Over Prevention (2), Power Train (2), Electrical System (1), Seat Belts (1); these counts describe filed campaigns rather than observed failure rates.
Back Over Prevention2
Power Train2
Electrical System1
Seat Belts1

03 / MODEL-YEAR CONTEXT

How the 2021 BMW 540I compares across model years

RecallRoad publishes 2 model-year reports for the BMW 540I, spanning 2020–2021; each year keeps its NHTSA campaign count separate.
Open the complete BMW 540I model history →