2020 BMW 540i Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
No verdict The 2020 BMW 540i has 3 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 13, ranking 8th of 9 model years (lower is better). It has 5 recalls, mostly rearview camera software and an output shaft issue, with no do-not-drive campaigns.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 13/100
- #8 of 9 540i years
- Verdict
- No verdict
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 3
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 22 city / 29.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2020 BMW 540i problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine2 (67%)
- Electrical System1 (33%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
2020 BMW 540i recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V598000Aug 2, 2021Engine50,024 vehicles
Engine
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 M340i, M340i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, X3 M40i, 2020-2021 X4 M40i, 745Le xDrive, 2019-2021 Z4 M40i, and 2020-2021 Toyota Supra vehicles. During engine start, the engine management software may cause loss of braking assist. Full mechanical braking (without assist) remains available.
Risk: Loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the engine management software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- NHTSA 21V096000Feb 19, 2021Collision Avoidance & Cameras13,858 vehicles
Back over prevention:software
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."
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 21V046000Feb 3, 2021Transmission & Powertrain28 vehicles
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
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.
Risk: 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.
2020 BMW 540i fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22 MPG
- Highway
- 29.5 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,200
- 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.
2020 compared with other 540i years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 BMW 540i reliable?
- NHTSA lists only 3 complaints for the 2020 BMW 540i, giving it a complaint index of 13, which ranks 8th out of 9 model years for reported problems. It has not received a Good, Best, Caution, or Avoid verdict yet in this dataset.
- Does the 2020 BMW 540i have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2020 540i, covering engine start software, rearview camera software (two separate campaigns), an output shaft that can break on xDrive models, and another camera software update. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- What is the top complaint area for the 2020 BMW 540i?
- Engine complaints make up 67% of reports (2 of 3), with the remaining 33% (1 complaint) tied to the electrical system.
- How does the 2020 540i compare to the 2018 model?
- The 2018 540i has a complaint index of 100 and an Avoid verdict, far higher than the 2020 model's complaint index of 13.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2020 BMW 540i?
- EPA rates the 2020 540i at 25 mpg combined (22 city / 29.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200.