2019 BMW 540i Problems & Complaints

Averageabout as many complaints as a typical year of the 540i at the same age

Owners have filed 11 complaints about the 2019 BMW 540i with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is about average for the 540i at the same age. The most reported problem area is the speed control & acceleration (3 complaints, typically around 18,000 miles). One recall covers this model year.

11complaints
1recalls
2crashes
0fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most common 2019 BMW 540i problems

  • Other / not specified~11,000 miles
    327%
  • Speed control & acceleration~18,000 miles
    327%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~44,000 miles
    218%
  • Electrical system~8,000 miles
    19%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~15,000 miles
    19%
  • Driver assistance~17,000 miles
    19%
  • Air bags~18,000 miles
    19%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~23,000 miles
    19%
  • Engine & cooling
    19%

Share of the 11 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

BMW 540i complaints by model year

’95’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25102726223115127203111396651
Owner complaints per model year, BMW 540i. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best 540i years: 2020. Years to avoid: 2018, 2017, 1998, 1997, 2000. Compare all years →

2019 BMW 540i recalls (1)

Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera

NHTSA recall 19V-684 · Sep 27, 2019 · 257,473 vehicles

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…

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.

What 2019 BMW 540i owners say

Speed control & acceleration

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. …

Accelerator pedal · 18,000 miles · Apr 2021 · crash

The contact owns a 2019 BMW 540i. The contact stated that while slowly driving into the driveway the vehicle erroneously accelerated forward at a high rate of speed and crashed into the garage door. The contact indicated that during the incident the brake pedal was being pressed but the vehicle did not immediately stop. During the incident the front end of the vehicle was damaged but no air bags deployed. No injuries were reported but the contact experienced emotional stress from the incident. The contact also indicated that the failure had once occurred while the husband was driving the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 31,000.

31,000 miles · May 2026 · crash

2019 BMW 540i engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
3.0L 6-cyl turbo8-speed automaticRWD21 / 29 / 24

EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 BMW 540i a good car?

Based on 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2019 540i rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the 540i at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2019 BMW 540i?

The speed control & acceleration — 3 complaints, 27% of all complaints for this model year, most often about accelerator pedal. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (2) and electrical system (1).

How many recalls does the 2019 BMW 540i have?

There is 1 recall for the 2019 BMW 540i, the most recent from September 27, 2019 (camera). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the BMW 540i?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2020. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2018, 2017, 1998, 1997 and 2000. See the full BMW 540i years comparison.

At what mileage do 2019 BMW 540i problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 17,000 miles; 100% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.