2022 BMW 540i Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
88/100
#2 most-complained of 9 540i years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2022 BMW 540i ranks 2nd worst out of 9 model years for this model, with a Complaint Index of 88 and 6 NHTSA complaints, most tied to Transmission & Powertrain. It carries 1 recall covering the driveshaft-to-differential connection.
- Complaints
- 6
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 26
- 23.5 city / 30.5 hwy
Top 2022 BMW 540i problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain4 (67%)
- Fuel System2 (33%)
- Airbags1 (17%)
- Electrical System1 (17%)
- Engine1 (17%)
- Seat Belts1 (17%)
What owners report
- Sudden unintended acceleration reported after a turn, with the engine revving up and the car lurching forward without warning lights.
- Passenger restraint warning message tied to a possible airbag seat or floor sensor issue.
- Catastrophic drivetrain failure while turning onto a road, causing total loss of propulsion and leaving the driver coasting in traffic.
- Rear differential failure with compromised internal gears, causing the vehicle to refuse to go into gear and the engine to shut off, with no warning lights beforehand.
2022 BMW 540i recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V525000Aug 12, 2026Transmission & Powertrain27,720 vehicles
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
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.
Risk: 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.
2022 BMW 540i fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 23.5 MPG
- Highway
- 30.5 MPG
- Combined
- 26 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,075
- 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.
2022 compared with other 540i years
Frequently asked questions
- Should I avoid the 2022 BMW 540i?
- NHTSA data ranks it 2nd worst among 9 model years of the 540i, with a Complaint Index of 88 and a verdict of Avoid relative to other years.
- What is the most common problem on the 2022 BMW 540i?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 67% of complaints (4 of 6), including reports of drivetrain failure and rear differential problems.
- Does the 2022 BMW 540i have any recalls?
- Yes, 1 recall (campaign 26V525000) covers the connection between the driveshaft and rear axle differential, which BMW will inspect and repair with adhesive or replacement.
- How does the 2022 540i compare to other years?
- Its Complaint Index of 88 is higher than 2017 (25), 2019 (50), 2021 (38), and 2024 (63), but lower than 2018 (100), making 2022 one of the worse years alongside 2018 and 2023.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2022 BMW 540i?
- It gets an EPA-rated 26 mpg combined (23.5 city / 30.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,075.