The Recall Desk
SevereNHTSA·21V046000·Announced 2021-02-03

BMW Recalls 2020-2021 Models for Driveshaft Breakage Risk

BMW is recalling specific 2020-2021 530i, 540i, and 740Li vehicles because output shafts may break due to a manufacturing error, potentially causing loss of drive power or rollaway.

What this means for you

Illness, injury, or structural failure has been reported. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a structural vehicle defect (driveshaft) that can lead to a loss of drive power or a rollaway condition, increasing the risk of a crash, which aligns with the 'Severe' criteria for structural defects and significant injury risk.

Plain-English summary

BMW of North America, LLC is recalling certain 2020-2021 530i xDrive, 540i xDrive, and 2021 740Li xDrive vehicles. The recall addresses a defect in the output shafts, which transfer power from the driveshaft to the rear wheels. These components may break due to a heat treatment error during supplier production.

A broken output shaft can lead to a loss of drive power or a rollaway condition in a parked vehicle if the parking brake is not engaged. This increases the risk of a crash. The recall began on March 24, 2021.

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the output shaft(s) free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

The recalled product

Product
BMW 530I, 540I, 740LI
Brand
BMW
Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
Category
Vehicle — Drivetrain
Hazard
Affected units
28

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (3)

  • 530I
  • 540I
  • 740LI

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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