2019 BMW 540i Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2019 BMW 540i has a complaint index of 50 and ranks 5th worst among 9 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine problems are the top concern, making up 36% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 18,000 miles, plus one back-up camera recall.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #5 of 9 540i years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 11
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 21 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2019 BMW 540i problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine4 (36%)
- Other3 (27%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (18%)
- Airbags1 (9%)
- Electrical System1 (9%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (9%)
- Fuel System1 (9%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (9%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Vehicle stalls unexpectedly while driving or parking, sometimes followed by unintended acceleration and a crash.
- Sudden unintended acceleration while slowly pulling into a driveway, with the brake pedal failing to stop the car immediately.
- Check engine light triggers for chassis stabilization and drivetrain faults, reportedly linked to rodent damage to the engine wiring harness.
- Engine speed drops sharply on the highway without any braking input, creating a dangerous loss of momentum in traffic.
- Collision avoidance braking activates on its own with no obstacle present, in clear conditions.
- Gear shifter unexpectedly shifts into neutral while driving at highway speed, requiring the driver to shift back into drive.
- Rattling noise from the engine area, described by owners as a possible early sign of oil pump assembly failure in B58 engines.
- Rear-view mirror detaches while driving and strikes the passenger window.
2019 BMW 540i recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V684000Sep 27, 2019Collision Avoidance & Cameras257,473 vehicles
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.
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.
2019 BMW 540i fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,300
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2019 compared with other 540i years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 BMW 540i reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2019 540i a complaint index of 50 and a Caution verdict, ranking 5th worst out of 9 model years for this model. Engine issues account for 36% of its complaints.
- What problems does the 2019 BMW 540i have?
- Owners most often report engine problems, including stalling, unintended acceleration, and rattling noise possibly tied to oil pump failure. Transmission, electrical, fuel system, and airbag issues were also reported, though in smaller numbers.
- Does the 2019 BMW 540i have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists one recall for the 2019 540i, campaign 19V684000, covering a back-up camera software update that BMW dealers perform free of charge.
- How does the 2019 540i compare to other model years?
- The 2019 540i's complaint index of 50 is lower than the 2018 model's 100 (Avoid) but higher than the 2017 model's 25 (Good). It ranks 5th worst among the 9 model years with data.
- At what mileage do 2019 BMW 540i problems typically appear?
- The median mileage at failure across all reported issues is 16,600 miles, with engine problems specifically showing a median of 18,000 miles.