2018 BMW 540I Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 10%of 31 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 32,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the engine of the 2018 BMW 540I, 10% of the 31 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 32,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When braking to come to a stop at a light, the engine revved up to over 5000 RPM. I had to shut off the car to get it to stop. When I turned the car back on, it immediately revved up to over 7000, while I stood on the brake to prevent it from moving. Shut it off again, put flashers on and waited a minute. Restarted and it performed normally.”
NHTSA complaint #11383989, filed 2020-12, 32,000 miles“I contacted the dealership where I purchased my vehicle called Global Imports on December 6 because the car was running hot. I arrived on Saturday morning was informed that the radiator was leaking and a water pump was leaking that they both needed to be replaced and I would be charged around $3000 to replace it. There were no recalls the service bulletins that I mentioned they advised me were only repair notifications. …”
NHTSA complaint #11631867, filed 2024-12“For this item - Please refer to NTHSA RECALL 18V-465 : BMW Crank Sensor Recall 9/12/2018. In particular - this refers to a 2018 BMW 540ix. Specifically, VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTUTRED WITH A CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, THAT DUE TO SENSOR FIRMWARE, CANNOT ACCURATELY PROCESS THE INPUT FROM THE CRANKSHAFT RELUCTOR RING. …”
NHTSA complaint #11711754, filed 2026-01Related service bulletins
- 11000579May 2, 2024Evap system purge (vent) valve ext ltd wty (elw) 15/150
- 10206690Dec 1, 2021Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may not start when placing the key against the steering column.
- 10205613Nov 1, 2021The customer complains that under moderate throttle application or on deceleration after throttle application, a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) is displayed in the instrument…
- 10200237Jun 1, 2021The customer may complain of a check control message stating "Safe share detected" (CCM-ID 953). Check control message can be verified by checking key reader information or…
- 10200232Jun 1, 2021Upon visual inspection, the passenger side upper active air flaps are either stuck open or closed, and they will not move.
- 10199292May 1, 2021B58 ENGINE: ENGINE OIL FILTER REMOVAL PROCEDURE AND TOOLS . A. For the B58 engines, a BMW Oil Catch special tool for use in conjunction with removing the engine oilfilter insert…
- 10186233Dec 1, 2020REMOTE CONTROL IS NOT DETECTED: Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may not start when placing the key against…
- 10178994Jul 1, 2020COOLANT LEAK FROM LOW TEMPERATURE COOLING CIRCUIT (N63R): Coolant leaking from the engine compartment. Traces of coolant leaking from the expansion tank of the low temperature…
- 10176374May 1, 2020PASSENGER SIDE UPPER ACTIVE AIR FLAP STUCK OPEN/CLOSED: Upon visual inspection the passenger side upper active air flaps are either stuck open or closed and they will not move…
- 10176360May 1, 2020B58C AND B58M ENGINES ENGINE OIL FILTER INSERT IS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE - REMOVAL: On rare occasions during an engine oil service the BMW Original (Genuine) engine oil filter…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 17% |
| 2021 | 1 | 11% |
| 2019 | 1 | 8% |
| 2018 | 3 | 10% |
| 2017 | 2 | 10% |
| 2003 | 1 | 14% |
| 2002 | 2 | 17% |
| 2001 | 1 | 7% |
| 2000 | 2 | 6% |
| 1999 | 1 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2018 BMW 540I
14 complaintsSeat belts
11 complaintsSeats
10 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsLane departure
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 BMW 540I
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology