repaired · 2022 Q1
Air bags
Risk. In the event of a crash of sufficient severity, deployment of the head air bag may be impaired and/or the igniter could separate from the inflator, increasing…
2017 BMW 540iProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 20 owner complaints about the 2017 BMW 540i, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 1 safety recall, and for recall 20V-243 the manufacturer reports only 82% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 25, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2017 BMW 540i has problems
20 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
5Air bags
4Electrical system
4Seats
3Seat belts
2Engine
2Exterior lighting
2Service brakes
2Tires
1Forward collision avoidance
44 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 5 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 |
| Seats | 4 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 3 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 1 | 0 |
| 4 other systems | 4 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
2017 BMW 540i recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with BMW.
Best & worst years
2017 vs. every other 540i year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 540i median. How we score
'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2017 BMW 540i, and the recalls they led to.
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
In owners' words
What 540i owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
1. Airbag Light - Repaired on 9/18/23 ( cause : pass. front seat occupancy detection ) a. no explanation needed b. replaced by dealer c. warning chime and message on dash d. Labor and part cost $2380.93 2. Instrument Cluster - Repaired on 9/18/23 ( Blackout, loss of speedometer, fuel level, engine…
The passanger seat on this car’s seatbelt and airbags have malfioned numerous times. 3/2021 seat belt warning, seat matpad replaced 9/2022 air bag malfunction while driving with a passenger on highway. Once again seat matpad replaced. Car no longer in warranty $2500. It is extremely dangerous that…
Passenger seat in 2017 BMW 5 series cars have a well known and not covered fault where in a loud chiming will go off requiring the passenger seatbelt to be buckled. This chime does not stop and continues until the seat belt is buckled. There is nothing in the passengers seat. The noise is very loud…
Own a 2017 540i?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.