Skip to content
BMW 540IModel year report

2021 BMW 540I Problems

Complaints
9filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
38,350miles, 2 complaints with mileage
Recalls
6campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
26 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl AWD · 23 city / 31 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2021 BMW 540I (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 2021 BMW 540I. The part named most often is brakes, with 3 complaints (33% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (3) and electrical system (2). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 38,350 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 167 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the driveshaft, 1 NHTSA investigation and 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Brakes: “We notice the lose of braking power right after we started the car on 4/30 morning. The car was totally fine before that. took it to the BMW dealer they said the problem is Vacuum/oil pump failing internally. fault for brake booster pressure switch, no brake boost I find that there is a recall for the exact problem but it doesn't include my vehicle The Part 573 Safety Recall Report 21V-598 stated that when It does happen it will cause damage to the oil/vacuum pump. I think recall 21V-598 should include my vehicle”

NHTSA complaint #11658906, filed 2025-05

Transmission and drivetrain: “The contact owns a 2021 BMW 540I. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. There was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle before the vehicle lost motive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to respond while in drive(D) or reverse(R). The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a driveshaft failure. The contact was informed that the driveshaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …”

NHTSA complaint #11727007, filed 2026-03, 66,700 miles

Electrical system: “2021 Bmw 540I. Consumer writes in regards to multiple defects due to battery management issue. The consumer stated the vehicle has experienced mulitple occasions of failures with the breaking system. The driver had to press the pedal to the floor in order to stop the vehicle. The emergency braking system engaged without warning, the autostart engaged independtly, and lighting/speaker/sunroof malfunction.”

NHTSA complaint #11449238, filed 2022-01

Engine: “Starter engine failure. Car failed to start multiple times. Major safety hazard that can cause a short circuit, melt wiring harnesses, and spark an engine bay fire posing an immediate threat to life. Problem was inspected and confirmed by a dealer. Multiple waring lamps and messages appeared. Dealer report stated: STARTER MOTOR FAULTY. ENGINE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CONCERN: C/S: REPEAT START ATTEMPT INTERMITTEN WARNING LIGHTS. Please issue recall for the safety of all drivers.”

NHTSA complaint #11749530, filed 2026-07

Mileage when problems were reported

50% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 10,000 and 66,700 miles.

0%0–1050%10–250%25–5050%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (2 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 38,350 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

20222023202520264
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2021 BMW 540I version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
540i xDrive AWD3.0L 6-cyl8-speed automatic233126$3,150
540i RWD3.0L 6-cyl · hybrid8-speed automatic253227$3,050

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2021 BMW 540I → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 167 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 167 bulletins →

Other model years of the BMW 540I

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20245—3—28—Too new
20236—1—27—Too new
20226—1—27—Not enough data
2021938,3506—26—Not enough data
20191216,6001—24—Not enough data
2018318,1502—24Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Rising
20172020,5001—24—Rising
2003792,0002—17—Not enough data
20021298,0002—16—Not enough data
20011589,0004—16—Stable
20003191,0002—16Not compared (before 2008)Rising
19992270,0001—16—Stable
19982650,9141—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19972776,3500—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19951080,2502—18—Not enough data
1994887,0004—17—Not enough data

All BMW 540I model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2021 BMW 540I have?

NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 2021 BMW 540I as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2021 BMW 540I is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 3 complaints (33% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 3.

Has the 2021 BMW 540I been recalled?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2021 BMW 540I get?

The EPA rates the 2021 BMW 540I (540i xDrive, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 26 mpg combined, 23 city and 31 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2021 BMW 540I reported?

Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 38,350 miles and the middle half falls between 10,000 and 66,700 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.