Model year guide

2017 BMW 540i

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2017 BMW 540i is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 4 on record.

2017 BMW 540i — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2017 BMW 540i at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints20
Combined24 mpg

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2017 BMW 540i recalls 1

Air Bags NHTSA Campaign #20V243000 · 29/04/2020

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2017 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i and 540i xDrive and 2017-2018 530e xDrive vehicles. Prior exposure to excessive levels of humidity within the driver and passenger head air bag inflators may affect the proper deployment of the head air bags.

Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left or right head air bag, free of charge. The recall began June 24, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2017 BMW 540i common problems

Owners have filed 20 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Seats
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Tires
Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.

2017 BMW 540i MPG & running costs

Combined24 mpg
City20 mpg
Highway30 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,400
EPA size classMidsize Cars
TransmissionAutomatic (S8)
Forced inductionTurbocharged
Engine start-stopYes
Passenger volume99 cu ft
Cargo volume14 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$5,000 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2017 BMW 540i costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$17,000
Fuel only$17,000
Per mile$0.23

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2017 BMW 540i trims & engines on record

Trims
xDrive
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl 300 hp

2017 BMW 540i vehicles on record

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Other BMW 540i model years

2020 2019 2018 2002 2001

2017 BMW 540i — frequently asked questions

Does the 2017 BMW 540i have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2017 BMW 540i. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 2017 BMW 540i?

Owners have filed 20 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, electrical system, seats.

What gas mileage does the 2017 BMW 540i get?

The 2017 BMW 540i has a U.S. EPA estimate of 24 mpg combined (20 city / 30 highway).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.