Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 4 of 20 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Air Bags. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Seats. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
20 reports
70,000 miles · Feb 25, 2026
Tires
The contact owns a 2017 BMW 540I equipped with a Zenna Tires, Tire Line: Argus/UHP, Tire Size: 275/30/ZR20, DOT Number: 045YNAUY84924. The contact stated the driver's side rear tire was slowly deflating. The vehicle was taken to a Tire Shop, and the technician became aware of bubbles on the tire. The tire was replaced on a Frida…
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The contact owns a 2017 BMW 540I equipped with a Zenna Tires, Tire Line: Argus/UHP, Tire Size: 275/30/ZR20, DOT Number: 045YNAUY84924. The contact stated the driver's side rear tire was slowly deflating. The vehicle was taken to a Tire Shop, and the technician became aware of bubbles on the tire. The tire was replaced on a Friday, and the following Monday, the new tire indicated that the tire pressure was 0 PSI. The Tire Shop was contacted and refused to replace the tire or provide additional assistance. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The tire failure mileage was approximately 10,000. The vehicle failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
NHTSA ODI #11720421
Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 2025
EngineFuel/propulsion System
as per [XXX] RE: Recall 22V-xxx: Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) Valve Heater – B11 01 22 This should be covered by BMW but they charges us and not refunding review charges below [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #11701308
Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2025
Back Over PreventionForward Collision AvoidanceService Brakes
While driving on highways when there is no car in front of me, my car suddenly warns me of collision and applies brakes automatically! This almost caused an accident with the cars behind me. They were about to collide with me from behind because my car was applying brakes automatically without my control. Please help me urgently…
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While driving on highways when there is no car in front of me, my car suddenly warns me of collision and applies brakes automatically! This almost caused an accident with the cars behind me. They were about to collide with me from behind because my car was applying brakes automatically without my control. Please help me urgently.
NHTSA ODI #11679698
Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 2024
Seats
Driver seat restraint module system malfunction.
NHTSA ODI #11631081
Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 2024
Engine
Vehicle has severely poor quality coolant hoses made from poor quality material that cannot withstand the flow of pressure within the coolant system process. Leading to the hoses deteriorating from internal pressure thus causing the coolant hoses to leak. The coolant sensors only indicate low coolant levels when there is, 1 and …
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Vehicle has severely poor quality coolant hoses made from poor quality material that cannot withstand the flow of pressure within the coolant system process. Leading to the hoses deteriorating from internal pressure thus causing the coolant hoses to leak. The coolant sensors only indicate low coolant levels when there is, 1 and 3/4 inches of coolant liquid left which is 70% lower than the minimum coolant line within the main coolant reservoir which can then lead to engine failure that could result into a vehicle accident or wreck causing injury or even death. This problem has been commonly known and reported throughout the BMW community for BMW’s with the Generation 1 & 2 B58 engine models. I have taken my vehicle to two local BMW Dealerships in my surrounding area and have been notified by those dealerships that the hoses have been tested and tried under extreme conditions and that the quality should not be pertaining to the coolant leak issue rather that the coolant leak issue is effected by age and wear and tear and possibility of environmental debris or other environmental factors depending on the state and area the vehicle is based and driven in. I find that statement given by both dealerships to be inaccurate as myself and other BMW owner’s have had these issues within 50,000 miles or less and the vehicle being garage kept and only obtained between 10,000-12,000 miles annually. I sincerely branch out to the National Highway Safety Administration for additional support in holding the manufacturer accountable for it’s irresponsibility to not take corrective action on the documented common issue within the Generation 1 & 2 B58 engine models.
NHTSA ODI #11630787
Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2024
Unknown Or Other
On G models of the bmw 5 series. Ac coil leaks r1234yf freon which causes safety issue due to the gas being exposed into the cabin of the car and to the atmosphere. Dealerships wants $5000-7000 for this repair as the whole dash needs to come out. This is almost a guaranteed failure and BMW has failed to recall for this fix. This…
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On G models of the bmw 5 series. Ac coil leaks r1234yf freon which causes safety issue due to the gas being exposed into the cabin of the car and to the atmosphere. Dealerships wants $5000-7000 for this repair as the whole dash needs to come out. This is almost a guaranteed failure and BMW has failed to recall for this fix. This issue arises usually at 50k-70k miles. There are no lights that come out everything will work but AC will not.
NHTSA ODI #11603061
Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2024
Exterior Lighting
Daytime running lights are dim or discolored. SIB 63 04 was issued acknowledging the problem, however repairs are only covered under the new vehicle warranty. In most cases, the issue occurs after the new vehicle warranty has expired.
NHTSA ODI #11570336
Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2023
Air BagsElectrical System
1. Airbag Light - Repaired on 9/18/23 ( cause : pass. front seat occupancy detection ) a. no explanation needed b. replaced by dealer c. warning chime and message on dash d. Labor and part cost $2380.93 2. Instrument Cluster - Repaired on 9/18/23 ( Blackout , loss of speedometer , fuel level , engine temp. directi…
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1. Airbag Light - Repaired on 9/18/23 ( cause : pass. front seat occupancy detection ) a. no explanation needed b. replaced by dealer c. warning chime and message on dash d. Labor and part cost $2380.93 2. Instrument Cluster - Repaired on 9/18/23 ( Blackout , loss of speedometer , fuel level , engine temp. directional indicator , etc. a. Cluster would blink ( on - off ) than total blackout. b. Labor and part cost $1905.28
NHTSA ODI #11547975
Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2023
Tires
2017 BMW 540I. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO SIDEWALL ISSUES WITH PIRELLI RUN FLAT TIRES.
NHTSA ODI #11516660
Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2023
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
Daytime Running Lights on the driver's side are malfunctioning. Connection between headlight housing and the daytime running lights are melted. Dealer found faults stored for headlight malfunction. They recommended replacing headlighthousing and LED module. The dealer has reproduced and confirmed the issue.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2017 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i and 540i xDrive and 2017-2018 530e xDrive vehicles. Prior exposure to excessive levels of humidity within the driver and passenger head air bag inflators may affect the proper deployment of the head air bags.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash of sufficient severity, deployment of the head air bag may be impaired and/or the igniter could separate from the inflator, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left or right head air bag, free of charge. The recall began June 24, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Additional source detail variants (4)
Air Bags
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2017 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i and 540i xDrive and 2017-2018 530e xDrive vehicles. Prior exposure to excessive levels of humidity within the driver and passenger head air bag inflators may affect the proper deployment of the head air bags.
Consequence: In the event of a crash of sufficient severity, deployment of the head air bag may be impaired and/or the igniter could separate from the inflator, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left or right head air bag, free of charge. The recall began June 24, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2017 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i and 540i xDrive and 2017-2018 530e xDrive vehicles. Prior exposure to excessive levels of humidity within the driver and passenger head air bag inflators may affect the proper deployment of the head air bags.
Consequence: In the event of a crash of sufficient severity, deployment of the head air bag may be impaired and/or the igniter could separate from the inflator, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left or right head air bag, free of charge. The recall began June 24, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2017 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i and 540i xDrive and 2017-2018 530e xDrive vehicles. Prior exposure to excessive levels of humidity within the driver and passenger head air bag inflators may affect the proper deployment of the head air bags.
Consequence: In the event of a crash of sufficient severity, deployment of the head air bag may be impaired and/or the igniter could separate from the inflator, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left or right head air bag, free of charge. The recall began June 24, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Air Bags:frontal
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2017 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i and 540i xDrive and 2017-2018 530e xDrive vehicles. Prior exposure to excessive levels of humidity within the driver and passenger head air bag inflators may affect the proper deployment of the head air bags.
Consequence: In the event of a crash of sufficient severity, deployment of the head air bag may be impaired and/or the igniter could separate from the inflator, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left or right head air bag, free of charge. The recall began June 24, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
2017 BMW 540I Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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