2020 BMW 540i Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

5 safety recalls on file

The 2020 BMW 540i has 5 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.

Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA.

The most-reported problem area is Engine (2 reports).

5Recalls
3Owner complaints
0Crashes reported
n/aNHTSA safety rating
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A recall covers specific vehicles. Your VIN shows whether yours still needs the free repair.

2020 BMW 540i recalls

Engine Software May Cause Loss of Braking Assist at Startup

Recall 21V598Aug 2, 202150,024 vehicles affected

The engine management software in certain vehicles may cause a loss of braking assist during engine start.

Rearview camera may be blocked or go dark in reverse

Recall 21V096Feb 19, 202113,858 vehicles affected

When the vehicle is shifted into Reverse, part of the rearview camera image can be obscured, or the screen may not turn on.

Rear Axle Shafts May Break, Causing Power Loss or Rollaway

Recall 21V046Feb 3, 202128 vehicles affected

Certain 2020-2021 BMW 530i xDrive, 540i xDrive and 2021 740Li xDrive vehicles may have output shafts that break at the rear wheels.

Rearview camera image may be partly blocked

Recall 20V598Sep 30, 2020312 vehicles affected

The rearview camera image on certain BMW vehicles may be slightly obscured in a small portion of the view.

Rear-view camera image can be turned off, raising crash risk

Recall 19V684Sep 27, 2019257,473 vehicles affected

The rear-view camera display on these vehicles can be adjusted so the backup camera image no longer appears, and the system keeps that setting the next time the car is put in reverse.

Most common 2020 BMW 540i problems

Problem areas named in the 3 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem areaReports
Engine2
Electrical System1

What owners report

2026-02-27, Engine
I am reporting a potential safety concern with my engine. The oil pumps are known to fail due to plastic internal components. BMW has issued a new pump with metal parts, but existing engines are not being helped and if oil pressure drops the car can suddenly stop in traffic, creating a safety hazard.
2026-01-26, Engine
Component: Engine Oil Pump (Plastic Internal Variant) Safety Risk: Sudden Loss of Motive Power / Engine Seizure Defect Description: The oil pump in the BMW B58 engine utilizes a plastic tensioning/adjusting ring that is prone to brittle fracture. At only 38,000 miles, my vehicle suffered a catastrophic internal pump failure, resulting in an immediate "Low Oil Pressure" warning and forced engine shutdown. Safety Hazard: Stalling at Speed: This defect causes an immediate loss of propulsion. If this occurs during highway merging or high-speed maneuvers, the driver faces an abrupt loss of power steering and braking assist, significantly increasing the risk of a high-speed rear-end collision.
2024-04-26, Electrical System
BMW G30 chassis vehicles equipped with the optional Bowers & Wilkins stereo have multiple owners reporting on Bimmerpost owners forum that water incursion damages the front door midrange speakers on both sides of the vehicle due to poor water drainage design. Water is causing the speakers to short out and stop functioning. This is also happening to owners of the BMW F90 chassis with the Bowers & Wilkins optioned stereo speakers. Stock stereo and Harmon Kardon systems seem not to be impacted by this issue.

2020 BMW 540i questions

Does the 2020 BMW 540i have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 2020 BMW 540i: Engine Software May Cause Loss of Braking Assist at Startup; Rearview camera may be blocked or go dark in reverse; Rear Axle Shafts May Break, Causing Power Loss or Rollaway; Rearview camera image may be partly blocked; Rear-view camera image can be turned off, raising crash risk. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

What are the most common problems with the 2020 BMW 540i?

Based on 3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Engine (2), Electrical System (1).

How do I check if a recall on my 2020 BMW 540i has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

Other BMW 540i years

Other 2020 BMW models