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Service bulletins for the 2018 BMW 540i

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.

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

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Bulletins, newest first
B6105202020-03-16. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. CCM DISPLAYED "INCREASED BATTERY DRAIN" CAUSED BY CONTROLLER. A yellow CCM (Check Control Message) ID 415 is displayed- "Increased battery drain! // Battery. Electrostatic discharge at standstill / start engine. Energy management" The results of the Energy Diagnosis test plan identifies the Controller as the root cause of the CCM. The Controller delays the vehicle going to sleep by up to 6 minutes. In some cases this will cause the CCM 415 to be displayed when starting the vehicle. Replacing the Controller in this case will not correct this situation.
B1101202020-03-16. Service bulletin. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. ENGINE OIL FILTER INSERT IS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE - REMOVAL: This Service Information Bulletin (Revision 1) replaces SI B11 01 20 dated February 2020. On rare occasions during an engine oil service the BMW Original (Genuine) engine oil filter insert is either difficult to remove or breaks apart in the oil filter housing. The engine oil filter is broken. The paper is torn and the lower plastic section is stuck in the engine oil filter housing (1).
B8402202020-02-18. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. REMOTE 3D VIEW NOT AVAILABLE: Remote 3D View cannot be launched In the BMW ConnectedDrive App. Software error in the Advanced Telematics Module 2 (ATM2).
B8401202020-02-18. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. BMW CONNECTEDDRIVE SERVICES ARE NOT AVAILABLE: The BMW ConnectedDrive services are not available for an extended period. This may include: Calls in the BMW Assistance app (Concierge Service) Vehicle data and status in the BMW ConnectedDrive app Remote services Remote 3D View Real Time Traffic Information (RTTI) Weather News Software error in Advanced Telematics Module 2 (ATM2).
B6620172020-02-18. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. DISPLAY KEY IS NON-FUNCTIONAL: This Service Information Bulletin (Revision 3) replaces SI B66 20 17 dated October 2019. The display key is non-functional. Display Key cannot be charged or switched on. An incorrect vehicle model appears on the key display. Possible defective display key battery or display key.
B6608172020-02-18. Service bulletin. BACK OVER PREVENTION; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. REAR VIEW CAMERA FAILS TO DISPLAY IMAGE: This Service Information Bulletin (Revision 5) replaces SI B66 08 17 dated March 2018. Sporadically when the rear view camera is activated no image appears in the display. The rear view camera can be activated by either: 1. Selecting reverse with the shift selector 2. Camera activation via the button on the center console Camera function returns after a terminal change. Note: This error situation can rarely if ever be duplicated on demand. Head-unit interface software start-up synchronization error for the rear view camera.
B6505202020-02-18. Service bulletin. AIR BAGS; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. FAULT 930C1E IS FOUND IN THE ACSM: Vehicle comes into the workshop with the following illuminated: Check Engine Light DSC warning lamp Air bag warning lamps During diagnosis the following fault code is found stored in the ASCM (Advanced Crash Safety Module): 930C1E internal ECU error If the fault is cleared it returns immediately. The root cause is under investigation.
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.
B0112192020-01-21. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE. FRONT GRILLE UPPER/LOWER ACTIVE AIR FLAPS: LTD WTY EXT TO 15 YEARS/150000 MILES. A check engine light or check control message is present and one or more of the following faults may be stored for the active air flaps behind the kidney grilles.
B6208182018-10-09. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAY SHAKES-SHIFTS TO THE LEFT: The Instrument cluster intermittently flickers, shakes and has shifted to the left.
B6206182018-10-09. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL. FUEL GAUGE INCORRECTLY DISPLAYING LOW FUEL LEVEL AFTER VEHICLE IS REFUELED: Occasionally, on restart after refueling, the fuel gauge will display the fuel level as low (minimum) and the range display will be at an implausible (maximum) value.
B6205182018-10-09. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. HEADS UP DISPLAY SPORADICALLY INOPERATIVE: Fault memory entry ÒB7F6E4 HUD: Fault in display backlighting is stored in the instrument cluster.
B5205182018-10-09. Service bulletin. SEATS; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. SEAT MEMORY SWITCH SPORADICALLY NOT FUNCTIONING: Selecting one of the saved seat positions (via the memory seat position switch on the door panel), fails to work.
B8409182018-10-09. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. PHONE CONTACTS: HEADUNIT BASIC 2 SORTING ORDER: Improper sorting of phone contacts, in the on-board computer or in the Central Information Display (CID), upon connecting to the vehicle:
B8402142018-10-09. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. CONNECTEDDRIVE/BMW ASSIST SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS INFORMATION: ConnectedDrive/BMW Assist features are partially or completely inoperative.
B7204172018-10-09. 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 seat belt is not fastened, when the seat is actually unoccupied.
B6608182018-10-09. Service bulletin. STEERING. ERRATIC PARK DISTANCE CONTROL SYSTEM BEHAVIOR: False detections occur when the wheels are turned (left or right) to a full end stop steering position.
B6607172018-10-09. Service bulletin. LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH. DEACTIVATION OF CONTACTLESS TAILGATE OPENING AND CLOSING: Customer desires to have contactless tailgate opening and closing (Smart Opener) deactivated.
B6513162018-10-09. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT. COMPONENT PROTECTION ACTIVE. HEAD UNITS CANNOT BE SWAPPED BETWEEN VEHICLES FOR TESTING.: If either the head unit (NBT-EVO or ENTRY-NAV-EVO) or the Body Domain Controller (BDC) are swapped into a different vehicle they will cause the head unit to enter a locked mode once it recognizes a different VIN.

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