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BMW

540i

Midsize Cars · model years 1994 to 2027

Includes 540i, 540i Sedan, 540i Sport Wagon and 3 more as listed by the EPA.

See all 45 540i trimsAll BMW cars

The verdict

Best year: 2025. complaints: 0, this model typically has none on file; recalls: 0, this model typically has none on file.

Worst year: 2017. complaints: 20, this model typically has none on file; recalls: 1, this model typically has none on file.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the BMW 540i
YearTrimsMPGHPFuel costRecallsComplaintsInvestigationsTSBsTop complaintsVerdict
19941Gas17no data$4,550no datano data0no datano data
19952Gas17no data$4,550no datano data0no datano data
19972Gas17no data$4,550no datano data0no datano data
19982Gas17no data$3,675no datano data0no datano data
19994Gas16no data$3,900no datano data0no datano data
20004Gas16no data$4,800no datano data0no datano data
20014Gas16no data$4,800no datano data0no datano data
20024Gas16no data$4,800no datano data0no datano data
20034Gas17no data$4,550no datano data0no datano data
20172Gas23.5335$3,2751201 (1 open)297AIR BAGS 16%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%, SEATS 13%
20182Gas23.5no data$3,275000197no data
20192Gas24no data$3,200000163no data
20202Gas25335$3,100000163no data
20212Gas, Hybrid26.5335$2,900001120no data
20222Hybrid26no data$2,97500143no data
20232Hybrid26no data$2,97500032no data
20241Hybrid28no data$2,750150no dataBACK OVER PREVENTION 22%, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 22%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 22%
20251Hybrid28no data$2,7000001no data
20261Hybrid28no data$2,700no datano data0no datano data
20271Hybrid28no data$2,700no datano data0no datano data

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median1994: 17 to 2027: 28
Owner complaints2017: 20 to 2025: 0
How we score each year

We compare each year of the BMW 540i to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.