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2002 BMW 540i recalls

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

2 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026

For the 2002 BMW 540i. These apply to the model and year, not to one particular vehicle: check your VIN to see whether yours is included and whether it has been repaired.

2 of these recalls carry a manufacturer safety advisory to stop driving or to park outside until repaired. See below.

Has your BMW been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A BMW dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.

2002 BMW 540i recalls, newest first

January 14, 2019NHTSA 19V015000157,549 vehicles potentially affected

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

  • Do not drive until repaired
Summary
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000-2003 525i Sedan, 530i Sedan, 540i Sedan, 2001-2003 525i Sports Wagon and 540i Sports Wagon vehicles, and 2000-2004 X5 SAV 3.0i, X5 SAV 4.4i, and X5 SAV 4.6is vehicles. This recall affects certain vehicles where the original steering wheel has been replaced with the optional sports steering wheel. The sports steering wheel has a frontal air bag inflator that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle for an optional sports steering wheel with an affected inflator. Dealers will replace the air bag module as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

May 28, 2015NHTSA 15V318000419,235 vehicles potentially affected

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

  • Do not drive until repaired
Summary
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3 Convertibles and 325i, 330i, and M3 Coupes, 2002-2003 M5, 540i, 525i Sedan, and 530i Sedans, and 540i and 525i Sportswagons, and 2003 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity Vehicles. Please note that the 5-series and X5 vehicles are only included if they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began Aug 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-348 in its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Note: On December 17, 2015 BMW removed the model year 2004 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity vehicle from this recall. Those vehicles were mistakenly identified as including the air bags that are subject to this recall.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Owner complaints

Owners have filed 12 complaints about the 2002 BMW 540i with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public; NHTSA uses them to decide what to investigate.

Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0

Most complained-about components

  1. Electrical system5
  2. Steering5
  3. Air bags2
  4. Engine2
  5. Exterior lighting1

Other BMW 540i years

Other 2002 BMW models

Most recalled 2002 vehicles

  1. 2002 Honda Civic (24 recalls)
  2. 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee (16 recalls)
  3. 2002 Honda Accord (16 recalls)
  4. 2002 Honda CR-V (16 recalls)
  5. 2002 Chevrolet Silverado (15 recalls)
All of 2002’s most recalled vehicles

Questions

Does the 2002 BMW 540i have any recalls?
2 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: air bags. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.
How do I check if my 2002 BMW 540i recall has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a BMW dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2002 BMW 540i?
12 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.