How to read this
Each row counts what official sources have on record for that model year: recall campaigns and owner complaints filed with NHTSA, and how many of those complaints mention a crash, a fire or an injury. We do not rate reliability. Fewer complaints can also mean fewer cars sold or a newer car, so open the year before you decide. 🇺🇸 Local data
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury | Most reported | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 28 MPG |
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 28 MPG |
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 28 MPG |
| 2024 | 1 | 5 | 1 | SERVICE BRAKES | 28 MPG |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 25 MPG |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 25 MPG |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 26 MPG |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 25 MPG |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 24 MPG |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 23 MPG |
| 2017 | 1 | 20 | 0 | AIR BAGS | 23 MPG |
| 2003 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 17 MPG |
| 2002 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 16 MPG |
| 2001 | 4 | 15 | 1 | AIR BAGS | 16 MPG |
| 2000 | 2 | 31 | 5 | AIR BAGS | 16 MPG |
Recalls: NHTSA campaigns only, so a defect also recalled in Canada is not counted twice. Stars: NHTSA overall rating. Fuel economy: EPA.
All years of the BMW 540iQuestions
- Which BMW 540i year has the most complaints?
- Of 15 model years of the BMW 540i on record, 2000 has the most owner complaints at NHTSA (31, most often about air bags).
- Which BMW 540i year has the most recalls?
- 2001 has the most recall campaigns (4).
- Which BMW 540i years have no complaints or recalls on record?
- 2027, 2026, 2025, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2003, 2002. That can also mean fewer cars sold or a newer car, not only a better one.
- How is this comparison made?
- We count, for each model year, the recall campaigns and owner complaints filed with NHTSA, and how many complaints mention a crash, a fire or an injury. We do not rate reliability: raw counts also depend on how many cars were sold and how old they are.