YearToAvoid

2019 BMW 540i Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

50/100

#5 most-complained of 9 540i years

The 2019 BMW 540i has a complaint index of 50 and ranks 5th worst out of 9 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine problems dominate at 36% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 18,000 miles.

Complaints
11
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
2 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
24
21 city / 29 hwy

Top 2019 BMW 540i problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine4 (36%)
  2. Other3 (27%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain2 (18%)
  4. Airbags1 (9%)
  5. Electrical System1 (9%)
  6. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (9%)
  7. Fuel System1 (9%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers1 (9%)

What owners report

  • Owners report sudden stalling at various speeds while pressing the accelerator, in one case followed by the vehicle lunging forward into a barrier.
  • Some describe unintended acceleration while parking or pulling into a driveway, with the vehicle failing to stop immediately despite brake pedal pressure.
  • A check engine light tied to chassis stabilization and drivetrain malfunction was traced to a rodent-damaged engine wiring harness, which the dealer said was not covered under warranty.
  • Drivers report sudden, unexplained speed loss on the highway, dropping from around 60-65 mph to 35-40 mph without braking input.
  • The collision avoidance braking system has activated on its own during normal highway driving with no obstacles present.
  • Owners note the gear shifter has inadvertently shifted into neutral while driving at 60 mph after pressing the shifter button.
2019 BMW 540i complaints: complaints filed per month3Dec 2019Dec 2020Jun 2021Nov 2022Mar 2026
14 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2019 to May 2026; peak May 2020 (3).

2019 BMW 540i recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. 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

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201720182019202020212022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2017Good2520123.5
2018Avoid10031223.5
2019Caution5011124
2020No verdict03525
2021Good389626.5

All BMW 540i years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 BMW 540i reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2019 540i a complaint index of 50, ranking 5th worst among 9 model years tracked, which earns it a Caution verdict relative to other 540i years.
What is the main problem area for the 2019 BMW 540i?
Engine issues account for 36% of complaints, the largest share, with a median failure mileage of 18,000 miles, followed by transmission and powertrain issues at 18%.
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 worse than 2017 (25) and 2021 (38), but better than 2018 (100), 2022 (88), and 2023 (75), which are rated Avoid.
What is the fuel economy of the 2019 BMW 540i?
EPA rates the 2019 540i at 24 mpg combined (21 city / 29 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,300.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.