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Service bulletins for the 2018 BMW 540d

A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.

362 on file from NHTSA, as of 2026-10-19.

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Bulletins, newest first
B1204192020-02-18. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. DME FAULT MEMORY ENTRY FOR THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR: This Service Information Bulletin (Revision 1) replaces SI B12 04 19 dated February 2019. Technicians may notice this fault logged during a diagnostic session: Fault code: Control module: Fault Text: 160021 DME Crankshaft sensor: general loss of synchronism Environmental conditions are vehicle speed 0 (stationary) and engine speed less than 1500 rpm. There is no customer-facing symptom nor related check control message displayed. Phantom/pseudo fault due to unsuitable DME software. Background: After parking the vehicle and turning off the engine both DME control units go into sleep mode at different times. The DME of cylinder bank 2 ("secondary") goes into sleep mode first The DME of cylinder bank 1 ("primary") is still awake and can experience a reduction in signal voltage for the crankshaft sensor signal This signal change can mistakenly be evaluated as a skipped crankshaft sensor cog by the DME. If the engine is started while the primary DME is still awake this causes a brief loss of synchronization with the secondary DME. Fault 160021 is logged after three (3) consecutive engine starts with this momentary loss of synchronization. Note: Starting the engine after the primary DME has also gone into sleep mode will avoid the loss of synchronization.
B1112192020-02-18. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP IS ILLUMINATED WITH A CRANKSHAFT ADAPTION FAULT: When diagnosing an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and/or a different issue the following faults may also be stored in the Digital Motor Electronics (DME). Fault code Control module Fault code text 213A2B DME Increment wheel adaption faulty This situation is not associated with any drivability complaints and only affects vehicles built with a Factory I-level of 19-07-500 and later. An unfavorable DME diagnostic calibration may cause the fault code to be stored. In most circumstances this will cause the MIL to be illuminated.
B6210192020-01-21. Service bulletin. SERVICE BRAKES. INCORRECT CONDITION BASED SERVICE DATA FOR BRAKE FLUID SERVICE. "Brake fluid service due since 12/2001" is displayed in the instrument cluster although the vehicle is only a maximum of 1 year old. Software error in the KOMBI (Instrument Cluster).
B6209192020-01-21. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REMAINS DARK AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE: Instrument cluster remains dark after starting the vehicle. After a restart normal functionality is restored. Software error in the KOMBI (Instrument Cluster).
B5113192020-01-21. Service bulletin. LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES. DOOR LATCHING COMPLAINTS IN COLD WEATHER: Below freezing ambient temperatures: One or more doors (front or rear) may not open when attempting to enter or After opening they may not correctly latch A leaking seal on the outer Bowden release cable may allow water to enter the cable sheathing and freeze.
B1203192020-01-21. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. ENGINE DOES NOT START BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES: Engine designation correction Parts availability Warranty. The engine will not start at temperatures below freezing. The starter does not turn and engage.
B1108192020-01-21. Service bulletin. FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL; ENGINE. B57 DIESEL ENGINE - CHECK CONTROL MESSAGE OIL LEVEL TOO HIGH. Check Control Message (CCM) "Engine oil level too high" is displayed. Fuel dilution into the engine oil due to the diesel particulate filter (DPF) regeneration strategy.
B6522192019-12-16. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT. NO AUDIO IS AVAILABLE FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS AFTER HEAD UNIT START UP: After programming vehicle no audio is available for approximately 30 seconds after head unit start-up. Fault code B7F490 "Control unit reset" is present in the RAM (Receiver Audio Module).
B6510192019-12-16. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. ENGINE SPEED DEPENDENT NOISE DURING AUDIO PLAYBACK: Integration level updated. There is an engine speed-dependent noise heard through the speakers during audio playback. Software error in the Receiver Audio Module (RAM) control unit.
B6201192019-12-16. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND ONBOARD COMPUTER INTERMITTENTLY INOPERATIVE: Instrument Cluster (KOMBSP18) functions are intermittently inoperative including: On-board Computer (BC) button on turn signal stalk (BC button shown at left) Radio displays Menu button Turn signal displays Arrows on multifunction steering wheel MFL thumbwheel control.
B6123152019-12-16. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER. Low Washer Fluid Warning Light is illuminated when the Washer Fluid Tank is Full : The low washer fluid warning is illuminated even though the washer fluid reservoir is full. There are no faults stored in the system for the washer fluid level switch. A non-approved washer fluid was used that is silicone-based. Silicone-based fluids are not compatible with the contactless capacitive level sensor. Fluids that contain a silicone additive are normally colored other than blue.
B3403192019-12-16. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR. HUMMING RUMBLING NOISES AFTER OPENING THE DOOR: After waking up/unlocking and entering the vehicle a humming/rumbling noise may occur.
B6620172019-11-18. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. DISPLAY KEY IS NON-FUNCTIONAL. This Service Information Bulletin (Revision 2) replaces SI B66 20 17 dated September 2018. What's New: The display key is non-functional. Display Key cannot be charged or switched on. An incorrect vehicle model appears on the key display. Possibly defective display key.
B6514192019-10-21. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY. HEAD UNIT NBT EVO (HU-H2) PROGRAMMING ABORT: The CID screen may light up blue. When this occurs A battery reset is not successful in restoring head unit operation Software error in the Bootloader file (BTLD) of the head unit.
B6112192019-10-21. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. DELIVERY STOP: REPLACE THE GEAR SELECTOR SWITCH: The functional lighting and/or locator lighting on the Shifter selector lever (GWS) may flicker over time or intermittently not illuminate. The GEAR SELECTOR SWITCH may not have been produced to specifications.
B7204172019-10-21. Service bulletin. SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES. FALSE WARNINGS THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED WITHOUT THE SEAT BELT BUCKLED: Acoustic and visual warnings indicate that the front passenger seat is occupied and the safety belt is not fastened when the seat is actually unoccupied.
B6623192019-10-21. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. DRIVERS ASSISTANCE SYSTEM: CHECK CONTROL MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED. The Driver Assistance System limited warning message is displayed.
B5121192019-10-21. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. ACTIVE AIR FLAP FAULT DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR: This correction is to be used for all situations where the following fault codes are stored: 138402 279B00 138220 13820D 13820E.
B1706172019-10-21. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. COOLANT LEAK FROM LOW TEMPERATURE COOLING CIRCUIT (N63R): Coolant leaking from the engine compartment. Traces of coolant leaking from the expansion tank of the low temperature cooling system. Coolant in the low temperature cooling circuit may also have an acrid smell and discoloration.
B5122192019-09-23. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER. PASSENGER SIDE UPPER ACTIVE AIR FLAP STUCK OPEN/CLOSED. Upon visual inspection the passenger side upper active air flaps are either stuck open or closed and they will not move. There are no faults stored for the active air flaps. The pin used to attach the upper active air flap actuator has detached from the linkage.
B5121192019-09-23. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER. ACTIVE AIR FLAP FAULT DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. This Service Information Bulletin (Revision 2) replaces SI B51 21 19 dated August 2019. A check control message or MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) may be illuminated with faults stored related to the upper and/or lower active air flap(s).
B1213182019-09-23. Service bulletin. ENGINE. DME FC 21A02D - COMBUSTION CONTROL: VALVE LIFT AT IDLE This Service Information Bulletin (Revision #2) replaces SI B12 13 18 dated May 2018. Correction software level updated Procedure text changes made due to an ISTA/D test plan name change Adjusted text in the Warranty section for use with AIR and the ISTA/D test plan name change. The vehicle will run rough or hesitate when accelerating from a stationary position.
B6515192019-09-23. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS FOR CONNECTEDDRIVE. Security patches for non-safety critical vulnerabilities in BMW head units Entry Nav Entry Media NBT and NBT EVO.
B6112192019-09-23. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. DELIVERY STOP: GEAR SELECTOR SWITCH.
B6405192019-08-19. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER. INTEGRATED AUTOMATIC HEATING/ AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM: VARIOUS COMPLAINTS CONCERNING CLIMATE CONTROL: The BMW 5 Series (G30) is equipped with an advanced and optimized integrated automatic heating and air conditioning system (IHKA).

The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.