RoadVitals

2017 BMW 540I Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
20
Latest Feb 25, 2026
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
2
Reports on file since Feb 27, 2018

What this page shows

Our database holds 20 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2017 BMW 540I. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–20 of 20

Tires & wheels
Filed Feb 25, 2026

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 ID
11720421
Incident
Feb 20, 2026
Mileage
70,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Nov 24, 2025

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 ID
11701308
Incident
Jan 31, 2022
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Aug 10, 2025

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 ID
11679698
Incident
Jul 10, 2025
Interior & seats
Filed Dec 16, 2024

Driver seat restraint module system malfunction.

NHTSA ID
11631081
Incident
Dec 7, 2024
Engine
Filed Dec 15, 2024

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 ID
11630787
Incident
Dec 15, 2024
Filed Jul 18, 2024

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 ID
11603061
Incident
Jul 8, 2024
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 6, 2024

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 ID
11570336
Incident
Jun 1, 2021
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Oct 3, 2023

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 ID
11547975
Incident
Aug 22, 2023
Tires & wheels
Filed Apr 12, 2023

2017 BMW 540I. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO SIDEWALL ISSUES WITH PIRELLI RUN FLAT TIRES.

NHTSA ID
11516660
Incident
Apr 12, 2023
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Feb 21, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID
11508279
Incident
Aug 16, 2022
Steering
Filed Feb 21, 2023

The steering wheel will not go to its set position. BMW Dealer Service ran tests and found that the steering column hall effect sensor is faulty and is integral to the steering column. They have mentioned that the steering wheel adjustment will stop functioning in the future. If the steering wheel column cant be adjusted, it seems to create risky driving conditions for the driver. The dealer has reproduced and confirmed the issue. There were no other symptoms or warning messages.

NHTSA ID
11508276
Incident
Oct 4, 2022
AirbagsInterior & seats
Filed Jan 12, 2023

Passenger Restraint System error in BMW seems to be a common problem. This should be looked over for a recall issue.

NHTSA ID
11501487
Incident
Oct 1, 2021
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Oct 2, 2022

The passanger seat on this car’s seatbelt and airbags have malfioned numerous times. 3/2021 seat belt warning, seat matpad replaced 9/2022 air bag malfunction while driving with a passenger on highway. Once again seat matpad replaced. Car no longer in warranty $2500. It is extremely dangerous that this passanger seat keeps failing. What if I got into an accident on highway and malfunction happened right before accident? Many people on bmw post complaining about seat belt warning and air bag malfunction. You can contact BMW, from 2017 until now, the car has neen in shop 4 times with passenger seatbelt and now airbag malfunction warnings. All services done at bmw of bayshore. I have included invoices I kept on this malfunctioned passenger seat

NHTSA ID
11487492
Incident
Sep 25, 2022
AirbagsInterior & seatsSeat belts
Filed Sep 24, 2022

Passenger seat in 2017 BMW 5 series cars have a well known and not covered fault where in a loud chiming will go off requiring the passenger seatbelt to be buckled. This chime does not stop and continues until the seat belt is buckled. There is nothing in the passengers seat. The noise is very loud and distracting. It occurs at random including driving at highway speeds. Upon bringing this to my dealer's attention they informed me that a service to repair this safety issue would cost over $2,000. I believe this will result in an unnecessary loss of life due to people either a) people fully removing the (sometimes valid) notifications of a no seatbelt warning, or b) an owner becoming alarmed by the sudden and loud chimes, possibly not knowing how to prevent the sound, and causing an accident If required I have a video of the incident (which happens daily now) if required. These issues are well documented on the BMW G30 forums for the 2017 model year.

NHTSA ID
11486159
Incident
Sep 24, 2022
Electrical
Filed Mar 18, 2022

The Instrument Cluster Display Shakes and goes completely black unable to know haw fast Your driving with all the system down You never know when its going to happen

NHTSA ID
11457316
Incident
Mar 1, 2022
AirbagsInterior & seats
Filed Jan 25, 2022

Front Passenger Seat Malfunction - Intermittent on and off warning No risk yet but BMW road aside assist confirmed that air bag might not deploy on passenger side Vehicle inspected by Irvine BMW and warning or concerns shown, just tried to bill me without root causing the issue. Yes the warning comes up on and off. Intermittent.

NHTSA ID
11448893
Incident
Dec 1, 2021
Electrical
Filed Mar 18, 2021

BACKUP CAMERA IS BLACKING OUT. VERY DANGEROUS. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR 2018-19 BMW'S BUT NOT FOR 2017 BMWS. FORUMS ALSO REPORT A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS REVERSE CAMERA.

NHTSA ID
11403652
Incident
Mar 17, 2021
Mileage
21,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 10, 2020

"REFILL COOLANT" INDICATOR DISPLAYS EVEN WITH FULL RESERVOIRS. TWO TRIPS TO THE DEALER SO FAR, FOR REPAIRS. COMES ON WHEN DRIVING OR WHEN PARKED, AFTER DRIVING; AFTER OPENING DRIVER DOOR. FOR EXAMPLE, DRIVE ONE DAY. PARKED OVER NIGHT. MESSAGE DISPLAYS NEXT DAY WHEN DRIVER DOOR IS OPENED. GOES AWAY AGAIN AFTER A DRIVE, WITHOUT ADDING ANY FLUID. SAME EXACT ISSUE AS OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING HERE: HTTPS://G30.BIMMERPOST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=1526216&PAGE=1

NHTSA ID
11382938
Incident
Dec 7, 2020
Brakes
Filed Sep 3, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 BMW 540I. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF, AND RESTARTED, IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. ALSO, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ON ANY INCLINED HILL OR ROAD, THE BRAKES ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PRINCETON BMW (3630 QUAKERBRIDGE RD, HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ 08619, (609) 528-4198) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE DEALER REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD TO REPAIR THE BRAKE SENSORS AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE BRAKE SENSORS WERE LOCATED IN THE WINDSHIELD. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. AN INVESTIGATION WAS PERFORMED, BUT NO FAILURES WERE FOUND. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000.

NHTSA ID
11252879
Incident
Jul 10, 2018
Mileage
20,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Feb 27, 2018

I HAD DROPPED OFF THE VEHICLE FOR SWAPPING OUT MY WINTER TIRES FOR ALL SEASON TIRES. THEIR TECHNICIANS REMOVED THE REAR SEAT BELT LATCHES AND INSTALLED THEM INCORRECTLY. THIS WORK WAS NEITHER APPROVED BY ME OR MENTIONED ON THE WORK ORDER. I WAS ALSO NOT VERBALLY INFORMED OF THIS WORK BEING PERFORMED. THIS WORK WAS CLEARLY NOT TESTED OR COMPLETED PROPERLY BY THEIR TECHNICIANS. IT CAUSED THE REAR SEAT BELTS TO NOT LATCH INTO PLACE CORRECTLY AND I WAS UNABLE TO INSTALL MY CHILD'S CAR SEAT TO THE CAR SECURELY. THE WORK WAS PERFORMED BY BMW OF SPRINGFIELD NJ. HAD I NOT TRIED INSTALLING MY CAR SEAT, I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT ANYONE SITTING IN THE REAR RIGHT OR MIDDLE SEAT WOULD NOT BE SECURE DURING A CRASH.

NHTSA ID
11075186
Incident
Feb 23, 2018
Mileage
7,500 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .