Reliable Auto DB

2017 BMW 540i reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2017 BMW 540i has 20 complaints with NHTSA after 10 years, or 1 per year. That is more complaints per year than most 540i years here — over the median of the other years, which is 0. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Air bags.

2017 BMW 540i
Photo by Calreyn88, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

20

Per year

1

Recalls

1

Years on the road

10

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Air bags (5 of 20), then Electrical system (4) and Seats (4).

Next to 2018

The 2018 540i has 0 complaints, 0 per year. The 2017 has more complaints per year than the 2018.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2017 BMW 540i. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (1)

Recall Air bags 2020-04-29 · NHTSA campaign 20V243000
Summary BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2017 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i and 540i xDrive and 2017-2018 530e xDrive vehicles. Prior exposure to excessive levels of humidity within the driver and passenger head air bag inflators may affect the proper deployment of the head air bags.
Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left or right head air bag, free of charge. The recall began June 24, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Complaints by component (20 total)

Air bags
5
Electrical system
4
Seats
4
Seat belts
3
Engine
2
Exterior lighting
2
Service brakes
2
Tires
2
Back-over prevention
1
Forward collision avoidance
1
Fuel and propulsion system
1
Powertrain
1
Steering
1
Show 5 more Show less
Crash-flagged

0

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

0

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

120181201912020120214202252023420242202512026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "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…"
    Tires · filed 2026-02-25
  • "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…"
    Engine, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2025-11-24
  • "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…"
    Service brakes, Back-over prevention, Forward collision avoidance · filed 2025-08-10
  • "Driver seat restraint module system malfunction."
    Seats · filed 2024-12-16
  • "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…"
    Engine · filed 2024-12-15

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
540i 3L, 6-cyl Automatic (8-speed) Rear-wheel drive 20 30 24 MPG $3300
540i xDrive 3L, 6-cyl Automatic (8-speed) All-wheel drive 20 29 23 MPG $3450

Specs and fitment

Tracked generation(s), 2017–present
Body styles Sedan
Oil 0W-20 , 6.9 qt capacity
Tire size 245/35R20, 245/40R19, 245/45R18, 275/30R20, 275/35R19 (trim-dependent)

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA complaints and recalls for BMW 540i vehicles in the tracked years include air-bag, braking (vacuum pump lubrication campaigns such as 13V-454 on related N20 engines), lighting, and electrical themes shared across BMW 3/4/5/7/M lines. Confirm each campaign by VIN; many unit totals span multiple BMW models.

Compare

See every BMW 540i model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 BMW 540i reliable?

The 2017 BMW 540i has 20 complaints with NHTSA after 10 years, or 1 per year. That is more complaints per year than most 540i years here — over the median of the other years, which is 0. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Air bags.

What are common problems with a 2017 BMW 540i?

The complaints owners file most often name Air bags (5 of 20), then Electrical system (4) and Seats (4).

Is the 2017 BMW 540i more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2018 540i has 0 complaints, 0 per year. The 2017 has more complaints per year than the 2018.

Has the 2017 BMW 540i been recalled?

The 2017 BMW 540i has 1 recall on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2017 BMW 540i?

Owners have filed 20 complaints about the 2017 BMW 540i with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2017 BMW 540i get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2017 BMW 540i is 23.5 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What engine oil does a US BMW 540i use?

0W-20 With filter, about 6.9 qt is commonly listed for this generation—confirm in the owner manual.

What tire sizes fit a US BMW 540i?

Published US specs commonly list front 245/35R20, 245/40R19, 245/45R18, 275/30R20, 275/35R19 (trim-dependent) and rear 245/35R20, 245/40R19, 245/45R18, 275/30R20, 275/35R19 (trim-dependent); confirm on the door jamb placard for your trim.

What NHTSA recalls affect the US BMW 540i?

NHTSA complaints and recalls for BMW 540i vehicles in the tracked years include air-bag, braking (vacuum pump lubrication campaigns such as 13V-454 on related N20 engines), lighting, and electrical themes shared across BMW 3/4/5/7/M lines. Confirm each campaign by VIN; many unit totals span multiple BMW models.