Total Complaints
12 filings
BMW 540I · model year
12 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2019BMW540I carries 12 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2019 540I is unknown or other with 3 filings, followed by electrical system (1) and power train (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2019 540I. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
12 filings
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN | 1 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL | 1 |
| AIR BAGS | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR | 1 |
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 Con
The contact owns a 2019 BMW 540i Sedan. The contact stated while driving at 45 MPH, the peripheral rear-view mirror detached and collided with the passenger's window. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.
Mileage: 23,000
Radiator Grill does not open when running. It remains in the close position. It started with the engine symbol that appeared on the dash.
The contact owns a 2019 BMW 540I. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the contact pressed the button on the gear shifter and the vehicle inadvertently shifted into NEUTRAL. The contact then shifted back into DRIVE. The contact continued driving with no further issues. However, the contact concern was that there should be no reason for the gear shifter to change gear with little to no pressure on the gear shifter from an inadvertent touch of the button on the gear shifter. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer to be inspected however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 43,500.
Mileage: 43,500
The contact owns a 2019 BMW 540i. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle, the failure recurred. The contact continuously depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle lunged forward and collided with a barrier and crashed into his neighbor's vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy upon impact. The contact was not treated for any injuries. A police report was not filed. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who discovered that the lower section of the accelerator pedal was fractured. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and agreed to pay for a portion of the repair. The contact received a letter that stated that the manufacturer agreed to pay for the accelerator pedal replacement however, by accepting the payment, the manufacturer would absolve themselves of any responsibility for any damages caused by the d
Mileage: 18,000
The contact owns a 2019 BMW 540i. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle, the failure recurred. The contact continuously depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle lunged forward and collided with a barrier and crashed into his neighbor's vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy upon impact. The contact was not treated for any injuries. A police report was not filed. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who discovered that the lower section of the accelerator pedal was fractured. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and agreed to pay for a portion of the repair. The contact received a letter that stated that the manufacturer agreed to pay for the accelerator pedal replacement however, by accepting the payment, the manufacturer would absolve themselves of any responsibility for any damages caused by the d
Mileage: 18,000
VEHICLE WAS TRAVELLING AT 50 MPH, CLEAR DRY WEATHER, NO TRAFFIC IN FRONT OR IN REAR AND COLLISION AVOIDANCE BRAKING SYSTEM ACTIVATED WITHOUT CAUSE
Mileage: 16,600
ON FRIDAY, 11/20/20, DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 60-65 MILES SPEED, SUDDENLY WITHIN FEW SECONDS, THE SPEED DROPPED DOWN TO 35-40 MILES WITHOUT ANY BRAKING ACTION BY ME. IT SCARED THE HACK OUT OF ME. I BARELY MANAGED TO GET OFF THE DRIVING LANE. WHILE IN MY CAR, BWW SOS ON-CALL ( DON'T KNOW EXACT NAME) CALLED, AND ASKED ME IF I WAS OK. THEN, THE OPERATOR GOT ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE OR THEIR MECHANIC ONLINE; HE TRIED TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. HE SAID IT WOULD NEED TO BE TOWED IN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE OPERATOR ARRANGED FOR THE TOWING TRUCK; THE CAR WAS TOWED IN TO 'GLOBAL IMPORTS BMW' DEALERSHIP. THE SERVICE MAN TESTED THE CAR THE NEXT DAY, AND MENTIONED THAT HIS TEST DID NOT REVEAL ANYTHING BUT THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS AN UNIQUE SITUATION THAT REQUIRED BMW'S ENGINEER'S ASSESSMENT. THEN THE DEALERSHIP WANTED/ KEPT THE CAR OVERNIGHT, DROVE, AND TESTED IT THE NEXT DAY. THAT'S WHEN THEY FOUND THAT THE THROTTLE BODY ACTUATOR WAS FAULTY. THEY REPLACED. I HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM, ON A SMALLER S
Mileage: 15,496
ON FRIDAY, 11/20/20, DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 60-65 MILES SPEED, SUDDENLY WITHIN FEW SECONDS, THE SPEED DROPPED DOWN TO 35-40 MILES WITHOUT ANY BRAKING ACTION BY ME. IT SCARED THE HACK OUT OF ME. I BARELY MANAGED TO GET OFF THE DRIVING LANE. WHILE IN MY CAR, BWW SOS ON-CALL ( DON'T KNOW EXACT NAME) CALLED, AND ASKED ME IF I WAS OK. THEN, THE OPERATOR GOT ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE OR THEIR MECHANIC ONLINE; HE TRIED TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. HE SAID IT WOULD NEED TO BE TOWED IN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE OPERATOR ARRANGED FOR THE TOWING TRUCK; THE CAR WAS TOWED IN TO 'GLOBAL IMPORTS BMW' DEALERSHIP. THE SERVICE MAN TESTED THE CAR THE NEXT DAY, AND MENTIONED THAT HIS TEST DID NOT REVEAL ANYTHING BUT THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS AN UNIQUE SITUATION THAT REQUIRED BMW'S ENGINEER'S ASSESSMENT. THEN THE DEALERSHIP WANTED/ KEPT THE CAR OVERNIGHT, DROVE, AND TESTED IT THE NEXT DAY. THAT'S WHEN THEY FOUND THAT THE THROTTLE BODY ACTUATOR WAS FAULTY. THEY REPLACED. I HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM, ON A SMALLER S
Mileage: 15,496
MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FOR CHASSIS STABILIZATION AND DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THEY REPAIR WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. DEALERSHIP ALLEGES A RODENT GNAWED ON A ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. FROM WHAT I GATHER FROM THE DEALERSHIP THIS OCCURS FREQUENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT HAS FAILED TO MAKE NECESSARY DESIGN CHANGES TO MAKE THESE WIRING HARNESSES INACCESSIBLE TO RODENTS. MY CASE IS NOT THE WORSE CASE SCENARIO BUT A FIRE COULD HAVE STARTED, MY VEHICLE COULD HAVE BECOME INOPERABLE AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST FMVSS BE UPDATED TO ADDRESS THESE PRODUCT DESIGN DEFECTS. A WIRING HARNESS THAT CAN POTENTIAL DISABLE REGULAR FUNCTIONS OF THE VEHICLE COULD RESULT IN DEATH SHOULD NOT BE EASILY DISABLED BY A RODENT. *TR
Mileage: 8,323
MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON FOR CHASSIS STABILIZATION AND DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THEY REPAIR WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. DEALERSHIP ALLEGES A RODENT GNAWED ON A ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. FROM WHAT I GATHER FROM THE DEALERSHIP THIS OCCURS FREQUENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT HAS FAILED TO MAKE NECESSARY DESIGN CHANGES TO MAKE THESE WIRING HARNESSES INACCESSIBLE TO RODENTS. MY CASE IS NOT THE WORSE CASE SCENARIO BUT A FIRE COULD HAVE STARTED, MY VEHICLE COULD HAVE BECOME INOPERABLE AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST FMVSS BE UPDATED TO ADDRESS THESE PRODUCT DESIGN DEFECTS. A WIRING HARNESS THAT CAN POTENTIAL DISABLE REGULAR FUNCTIONS OF THE VEHICLE COULD RESULT IN DEATH SHOULD NOT BE EASILY DISABLED BY A RODENT. *TR
Mileage: 8,323
I PURCHASED FOUR (4) MICHELIN PILOT ALPIN PA4 TIRES IN 245/35/20 FOR THE FRONT AND 275/30/20 FOR THE REAR. I SUBSEQUENTLY HIT A POTHOLE AND HAD THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLOW OUT. I THEN HAD THE TIRE REPLACED. A COUPLE MONTHS LATER, I HIT A POTHOLE ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE, WHICH AGAIN CAUSED THE TIRE TO BLOW, BUT THIS TIME DAMAGED THE WHEEL BEYOND REPAIR. THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS ALSO FOUND TO HAVE TWO BUBBLES IN THE SIDEWALL EVEN WITHOUT HAVING BEEN STRUCK BY A POTHOLE. I HAVE HIT POTHOLES WITH THE SAME CAR WITH DIFFERENT TIRES AND HAVE NEVER HAD A BLOWOUT OR WHEEL DAMAGE. CONSIDERING THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE, I BELIEVE THESE TIRES ARE DEFECTIVE AND UNSAFE. I HAVE ATTACHED PHOTOS OF THE SECOND BLOWOUT. I HAVE ALSO ATTACHED THE INVOICES FROM THE TWO INCIDENTS. THE TOTALS DO NOT INCLUDE THE TOTAL DAMAGE AS INDICATED IN THE ITEMIZED BREAKDOWN, AS I DID NOT YET REPLACE THE CRACKED CONTROL ARMS AT $1,005.76. *TR
Mileage: 11,192
THIS CAR IS CURRENTLY SUBJECT TO A NTSB ORDERED RECALL RELATED TO THE BACK UP CAMERA AND THE LIGHTING LEVEL (NIGHT VISION) OF THE REAR SAFETY CAMERA. AFTER MY BMW DEALER "FIXED" IT LAST WEEK, IT IS NOTICEABLY DARKER THAN WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW AND HENCE LESS SAFE UNDER NIGHTTIME DRIVING CONDITIONS. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR BACK AND THE SERVICE MANAGER HAS INDICATED THIS IS THE DICTATED FIX; I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS IS (A) SAFE OR (B) SAGER THAN WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW IN OCTOBER 2018, BUT IS LESS SAFE. I SUGGEST A NTSB INVESTIGATION AND ADDITIONAL FIX. THIS OCCURS AT NIGHT, IN A DARK AREA AND WHILE THE CAR IS BOTH STATIONARY AND SLOWLY BACKING UP. THE DATE BELOW IS THE MOST RECENT DATE TAKEN TO THE BMW DEALER IN BALA CYNWYD, PA 19004 - BMW OF THE MAIN LINE.
Mileage: 9,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.