The defect
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2026 840i, 840i xDrive, 2021-2023 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, and 2024-2026 750e xDrive vehicles. The connection between the driveshaft and the rear differential may become damaged, possibly resulting in a loss of power to the rear wheels or a vehicle rollaway.
The risk
An unexpected loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash. In addition, a damaged driveshaft can result in a vehicle rollaway if the parking brake is not applied, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect the connection between the driveshaft and rear axle differential, and apply adhesive or replace the driveshaft and rear axle differential, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 2, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 2, 2026.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| BMW 540i | 2021, 2022, 2023 |
| BMW 540I Xdrive | 2021, 2022, 2023 |
| BMW 750E Xdrive | 2024, 2025, 2026 |
| BMW 840i | 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 |
| BMW 840I Xdrive | 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 |
| BMW M550I | 2021, 2022, 2023 |
Components: POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMW 540I Xdrive | 2021 | 0 | 1 |
| BMW 540I Xdrive | 2022 | 0 | 1 |
| BMW 540I Xdrive | 2023 | 0 | 1 |
| BMW 540i | 2021 | 9 | 6 |
| BMW 540i | 2022 | 6 | 1 |
| BMW 540i | 2023 | 6 | 1 |
| BMW 750E Xdrive | 2024 | 0 | 4 |
| BMW 750E Xdrive | 2025 | 0 | 4 |
| BMW 750E Xdrive | 2026 | 0 | 1 |
| BMW 840I Xdrive | 2020 | 0 | 3 |
| BMW 840I Xdrive | 2021 | 0 | 1 |
| BMW 840I Xdrive | 2022 | 0 | 1 |
| BMW 840I Xdrive | 2023 | 0 | 1 |
| BMW 840I Xdrive | 2024 | 0 | 1 |
| BMW 840I Xdrive | 2025 | 0 | 1 |
| BMW 840I Xdrive | 2026 | 0 | 1 |
| BMW 840i | 2020 | 4 | 6 |
| BMW 840i | 2021 | 0 | 5 |
| BMW 840i | 2022 | 7 | 2 |
| BMW 840i | 2023 | 0 | 3 |
| BMW 840i | 2024 | 2 | 2 |
| BMW 840i | 2025 | 0 | 2 |
| BMW 840i | 2026 | 0 | 1 |
| BMW M550I | 2021 | 1 | 3 |
| BMW M550I | 2022 | 2 | 1 |
| BMW M550I | 2023 | 1 | 1 |
Other power train recalls in 2026
30 of the 666 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2026 concerned the power train; BMW of North America, LLC filed 347 campaigns in all.
| 26V658000 7 Oct 2026 | BMW of North America, LLC |
| 26V607000 23 Sept 2026 | Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC |
| 26V576000 9 Sept 2026 | Ford Motor Company |
| 26V454000 15 Jul 2026 | E-One Incorporated |
| 26V437000 8 Jul 2026 | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing |
| 26V417000 30 Jun 2026 | Ford Motor Company |
| 26V413000 30 Jun 2026 | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) |
| 26V419000 30 Jun 2026 | Nissan North America, Inc. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2026