2019 Bmw 540I: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
16,600 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2019 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 11 complaints (27.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 27.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 9.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 9.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 9.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
Unknown Or Other: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Air Bags: 1; Electrical System: 1; Engine: 1; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Power Train: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2019: 1; 2020: 3; 2021: 3; 2022: 1; 2024: 1; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11291063 · 2019-12-24 (December 24, 2019)
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. …
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11291063 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11323551 · 2020-05-06 (May 6, 2020)
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 CA…
Owner-reported narrative. 11,192 miles reported. Look up ODI 11323551 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11324466 · 2020-05-13 (May 13, 2020)
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 I…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,323 miles reported. Look up ODI 11324466 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11377490 · 2020-12-02 (December 2, 2020)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,496 miles reported. Look up ODI 11377490 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11415742 · 2021-05-09 (May 9, 2021)
VEHICLE WAS TRAVELLING AT 50 MPH, CLEAR DRY WEATHER, NO TRAFFIC IN FRONT OR IN REAR AND COLLISION AVOIDANCE BRAKING SYSTEM ACTIVATED WITHOUT CAUSE
Owner-reported narrative. 16,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11415742 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11421080 · 2021-06-15 (June 15, 2021)
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 v…
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11421080 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11433724 · 2021-09-20 (September 20, 2021)
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 how…
Owner-reported narrative. 43,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11433724 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11493211 · 2022-11-11 (November 11, 2022)
Radiator Grill does not open when running. It remains in the close position. It started with the engine symbol that appeared on the dash.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11493211 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
19V684000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
Reported: 2019-09-27 (September 27, 2019)
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."
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗