Specifications by model year
Compare the stats that matter
Every section below is populated from the available EPA, NHTSA, and vehicle-specification data for this model.
Fuel economy
EPA-rated city, highway, and combined economy by year. Values can describe one trim or drivetrain. A dash means unavailable data, not zero or absent equipment.
Engine, transmission & drivetrain
Powertrain specifications can vary between model years. Values can describe one trim or drivetrain. A dash means unavailable data, not zero or absent equipment.
| Year | Body style | Cylinders | Displacement | Fuel type | Transmission | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | sedan | 6 | 3.0 | Premium | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive |
| 2025 | sedan | 6 | 3.0 | Premium | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive |
| 2024 | sedan | 6 | 3.0 | Premium | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive |
| 2023 | sedan | 6 | 3.0 | Premium | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive |
| 2022 | sedan | 6 | 3.0 | Premium | Automatic | AWD/All-Wheel Drive |
| 2021 | sedan | 6 | 3.0 | Premium | Automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| 2020 | sedan | 6 | 3.0 | Premium | Automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| 2019 | sedan | 6 | 3.0 | Premium | Automatic | RWD/Rear-Wheel Drive |
| 2018 | sedan | 6 | 3.0 | Premium | Automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| 2017 | sedan | 6 | 3.0 | Premium | Automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive |
Pricing & configuration
Original pricing and model configuration where available. Values can describe one trim or drivetrain. A dash means unavailable data, not zero or absent equipment.
| Year | pricing | Trim | Note | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | — | — | — | — |
| 2025 | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | Trim: xDrive | xDrive | — | — |
| 2022 | Trim: xDrive | xDrive | — | — |
| 2021 | Note: HD Radio, Bluetooth, Satellite Radio, Auxiliary Audio Input, MP3 Player | — | HD Radio, Bluetooth, Satellite Radio, Auxiliary Audio Input, MP3 Player | — |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | Base price: $58,200 | — | — | $58,200 |
| 2017 | Base price: $58,750 | — | — | $58,750 |
Space, dimensions & utility
Seating, cargo, and physical configuration by model year. Values can describe one trim or drivetrain. A dash means unavailable data, not zero or absent equipment.
| Year | Seats | Doors | bodyAndInterior | mechanical | Keyless ignition | GVWR | Seat rows | Axles | Wheels | Steering location | Wheelbase | Front wheel | Rear wheel | Entertainment system |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2025 | — | — | Keyless ignition: Standard | GVWR: Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg) | Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg) | Standard | Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg) | Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — | — | GVWR: Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — | Keyless ignition: Standard | GVWR: Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Standard | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | 5 | — | Keyless ignition: Standard, Seat rows: 2 | GVWR: Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Standard | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | 5 | — | Keyless ignition: Standard, Seat rows: 2 | GVWR: Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less), Axles: 2, Wheels: 4 | Standard | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | 2 | 2 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | 5 | — | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 2 | GVWR: Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less), Axles: 2, Wheels: 4, Wheelbase: 117.1, Front wheel: 18, Rear wheel: 18 | Standard | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | 2 | 2 | 4 | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 117.1 | 18 | 18 | — |
| 2019 | 5 | — | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Entertainment system: CD + Stereo, Seat rows: 2 | GVWR: Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less), Axles: 2, Wheels: 4, Wheelbase: 117.1, Front wheel: 18, Rear wheel: 18 | Standard | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | 2 | 2 | 4 | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 117.1 | 18 | 18 | CD + Stereo |
| 2018 | 5 | 4 | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 2 | GVWR: Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less), Axles: 2, Wheels: 4, Wheelbase: 117.1, Front wheel: 18, Rear wheel: 18 | Standard | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | 2 | 2 | 4 | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 117.1 | 18 | 18 | — |
| 2017 | 5 | 4 | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 2 | GVWR: Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less), Axles: 2, Wheels: 4, Wheelbase: 117.1, Front wheel: 18, Rear wheel: 18 | Standard | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | 2 | 2 | 4 | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 117.1 | 18 | 18 | — |
Safety ratings & driver assistance
NHTSA safety ratings and listed driver-assistance availability. Values can describe one trim or drivetrain. A dash means unavailable data, not zero or absent equipment.
| Year | abs | esc | tractionControl | tpms | adaptiveCruiseControl | autoBrake | forwardCollisionWarning | pedestrianAeb | blindSpotMonitoring | blindSpotIntervention | laneDepartureWarning | laneCenteringAssist | rearCamera | rearCrossTrafficAlert | rearAeb | parkAssist | adaptiveDrivingBeam | autoReverseSystem | adas |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | abs: standard |
| 2025 | standard | standard | standard | standard | optional | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | abs: standard, esc: standard, tractionControl: standard, tpms: standard, adaptiveCruiseControl: optional, autoBrake: standard, forwardCollisionWarning: standard, pedestrianAeb: standard, blindSpotMonitoring: standard, blindSpotIntervention: standard, laneDepartureWarning: standard, laneCenteringAssist: standard, rearCamera: standard, rearCrossTrafficAlert: standard, rearAeb: standard, parkAssist: standard, adaptiveDrivingBeam: standard, autoReverseSystem: standard |
| 2024 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | standard | standard | standard | standard | optional | standard | standard | — | standard | — | standard | — | standard | optional | — | optional | standard | standard | abs: standard, esc: standard, tractionControl: standard, tpms: standard, adaptiveCruiseControl: optional, autoBrake: standard, forwardCollisionWarning: standard, blindSpotMonitoring: standard, laneDepartureWarning: standard, rearCamera: standard, rearCrossTrafficAlert: optional, parkAssist: optional, adaptiveDrivingBeam: standard, autoReverseSystem: standard |
| 2022 | standard | standard | standard | standard | optional | — | standard | — | standard | — | standard | — | standard | optional | — | standard | standard | standard | abs: standard, esc: standard, tractionControl: standard, tpms: standard, adaptiveCruiseControl: optional, forwardCollisionWarning: standard, blindSpotMonitoring: standard, laneDepartureWarning: standard, rearCamera: standard, rearCrossTrafficAlert: optional, parkAssist: standard, adaptiveDrivingBeam: standard, autoReverseSystem: standard |
| 2021 | standard | standard | standard | standard | optional | standard | standard | — | standard | — | standard | standard | standard | — | — | optional | standard | standard | abs: standard, esc: standard, tractionControl: standard, tpms: standard, adaptiveCruiseControl: optional, autoBrake: standard, forwardCollisionWarning: standard, blindSpotMonitoring: standard, laneDepartureWarning: standard, laneCenteringAssist: standard, rearCamera: standard, parkAssist: optional, adaptiveDrivingBeam: standard, autoReverseSystem: standard |
| 2020 | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | standard | — | standard | standard | — | — | standard | standard | abs: standard, esc: standard, tractionControl: standard, tpms: standard, adaptiveCruiseControl: standard, autoBrake: standard, forwardCollisionWarning: standard, pedestrianAeb: standard, blindSpotMonitoring: standard, laneDepartureWarning: standard, rearCamera: standard, rearCrossTrafficAlert: standard, adaptiveDrivingBeam: standard, autoReverseSystem: standard |
| 2019 | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | standard | standard | — | standard | — | standard | — | standard | — | — | — | standard | standard | abs: standard, esc: standard, tractionControl: standard, tpms: standard, autoBrake: standard, forwardCollisionWarning: standard, blindSpotMonitoring: standard, laneDepartureWarning: standard, rearCamera: standard, adaptiveDrivingBeam: standard, autoReverseSystem: standard |
| 2018 | standard | standard | standard | standard | optional | optional | optional | optional | optional | — | optional | — | standard | — | — | optional | optional | standard | abs: standard, esc: standard, tractionControl: standard, tpms: standard, adaptiveCruiseControl: optional, autoBrake: optional, forwardCollisionWarning: optional, pedestrianAeb: optional, blindSpotMonitoring: optional, laneDepartureWarning: optional, rearCamera: standard, parkAssist: optional, adaptiveDrivingBeam: optional, autoReverseSystem: standard |
| 2017 | standard | standard | standard | standard | optional | optional | optional | optional | optional | — | optional | — | standard | — | — | optional | optional | standard | abs: standard, esc: standard, tractionControl: standard, tpms: standard, adaptiveCruiseControl: optional, autoBrake: optional, forwardCollisionWarning: optional, pedestrianAeb: optional, blindSpotMonitoring: optional, laneDepartureWarning: optional, rearCamera: standard, parkAssist: optional, adaptiveDrivingBeam: optional, autoReverseSystem: standard |
Technology & electrification
Listed infotainment, equipment, battery, and charging data. Values can describe one trim or drivetrain. A dash means unavailable data, not zero or absent equipment.
Model year reports
2026
NewestThe 2026 BMW 540i presents an average reliability profile, with no reported recalls or complaints to NHTSA.
2025
The 2025 BMW 540i presents an excellent initial reliability profile with zero recalls or complaints reported.
2024
The 2024 BMW 540i offers a compelling blend of performance and luxury, but a critical safety recall affecting the integrated brake system warrants careful inspection.
2023
The 2023 BMW 540i presents an excellent reliability profile, with no recalls or complaints reported, suggesting a robust and well-built luxury sedan.
2022
The 2022 BMW 540i presents an excellent reliability profile with no reported recalls or complaints to NHTSA, suggesting robust engineering and build quality for this model year.
2021
The 2021 BMW 540i presents a compelling blend of performance and luxury, but its average reliability rating, driven by multiple safety-system recalls, demands careful pre-purchase inspection.
2020
The 2020 BMW 540i offers a compelling blend of performance and luxury, but potential buyers must prioritize verifying the completion of critical safety recalls, particularly those affecting braking assist and the backup camera system.
2019
The 2019 BMW 540i offers a compelling blend of luxury and performance, but used buyers should prioritize confirming the completion of its single recall and closely inspect the infotainment and driver-assist systems for any electronic anomalies.
2018
The 2018 BMW 540i offers a compelling blend of performance and luxury, but used buyers must prioritize verifying the completion of a critical engine recall and be aware of a high TSB count that suggests potential for other issues.
2017
The 2017 BMW 540i presents a mixed bag for used car buyers.
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the best years for the BMW 540i?
Carfocal currently has 10 published 540i reports, covering 2017 through 2026. Compare the year-specific reports directly to see how reliability, recalls, ownership costs, and value change over time. The newest published verdict says: The 2026 BMW 540i presents an average reliability profile, with no reported recalls or complaints to NHTSA.
Published year coverage: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
Is the BMW 540i reliable?
There is no single reliability answer for every BMW 540i. Carfocal's published year reports show why the model year matters, with verdicts that include the 2026 bmw 540i presents an average reliability profile, with no reported recalls or complaints to nhtsa. and given the limited data and average reliability verdict, the 2026 bmw 540i's used market value hinges on its condition and maintenance history. Compare the report for the year you are considering before you make a decision.
10 published year-specific reports are available for comparison.
What are common problems with the BMW 540i?
Across Carfocal's published 540i guides, recurring problem areas include Engine Oil Filter, Spark Plugs, and Transmission Fluid. The exact risk depends on the model year, so open the report for the vehicle you are evaluating to see which issues, recalls, and repair concerns apply.
Common problem areas found in published repair predictions: Engine Oil Filter, Spark Plugs, and Transmission Fluid.
Supporting data
- Published guides
- 10
- Years tracked
- 10
- Data sources
- NHTSA, EPA, owner complaints