2020 BMW 530I
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
These records cover every 2020 BMW 530I. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
5 recalls name the 2020 BMW 530I. Newest first.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 BMW 330i, 2019-2022 BMW Z4, 2020-2022 BMW 530i, X3, X4, Toyota Supra, 2021-2022 BMW 430i, 430i Convertible, and 2022 BMW 230i vehicles. The engine starter relay may corrode, causing the relay to overheat and short circuit.
Risk and remedy
Risk
A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete. Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 6, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov November 14, 2025.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, Alpina XB7, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, and 8 Series Coupe, Convertible and Grand Coupe, 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i…
Risk and remedy
Risk
If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 530i xDrive, 540i xDrive and 2021 740Li xDrive vehicles. The output shafts (left/right) which transfer power from the driveshaft to the rear wheels may break due to a heat treatment error during supplier production.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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), increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the output shaft(s), free of charge. The recall began March 24, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 X3 sDrive 30i, X3 xDrive 30i, X3M 40i, X3 xDrive 30e, X4 xDrive 30i, X4M 40i, 530i, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 550e, 550e xDrive, and 550e iPerformance vehicles. A small portion of the rearview image may be slightly obscured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the…
Risk and remedy
Risk
If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, program the rearview camera with updated software. The recall began November 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Convertible and Coupe 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, X5…
Risk and remedy
Risk
The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
Owner complaints
10 complaints3 involved a crash1 involved a fire4 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Power train
Last year around this time my differential failed and I lost all power to my wheels when driving in traffic in [XXX] on my way back to [XXX]. The car was driving and a loud clunk sound came from the car and the transmission wouldn't drive and I had to coast off the road cutting off cars to make it…
Last year around this time my differential failed and I lost all power to my wheels when driving in traffic in [XXX] on my way back to [XXX]. The car was driving and a loud clunk sound came from the car and the transmission wouldn't drive and I had to coast off the road cutting off cars to make it to a parking lot. I thought this was just something that happened to my car that maybe I did but then I saw the recall going on for the BMW differentials and realized It wasn't just a one off thing that happened to me. The vehicle was towed to a shop by AAA insurance and was looked at and confirmed to be the differental and driveshaft. I already had the problem looked at and fixed and I have documentation of everything. The only warning signs I noticed before it happened was a clunking noise and feeling like the wheels had a problem with putting power down to the road and I heard it and felt it and it got worse before it broke but I didnt realize what it was until I was actually stuck in [XXX] after it broke. My vehicle isn't included in the official recall but I would like help to get it added because I belive I suffered the same problem and am hoping for reimbursement for the money I spent on the repairs of a defective part that my car came with. I had to leave my car at AAA repair shop to be looked at and get a rental to come back home so I could make it to work in 2 days and eneded up missing work the next day. My next day off I had to rent a towing dolly from [XXX] and drive back there to pick my vehicle up and tow it back home to [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Air bags · Electrical system · Engine
The contact owns a 2020 BMW 530I. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop, and while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, the contact stated…
The contact owns a 2020 BMW 530I. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop, and while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, the contact stated that the infotainment system might have been remotely hacked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with an air bag failure. Additionally, the contact was informed that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); because the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle had failed the State Inspection due to the open recall. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.
- Unknown or other
My 2020 BMW 530i caught fire while I was driving on March 13th. The car showed no signs of smoke. Another driver alerted me about smoke, I exited the vehicle, and within minutes the car was fully on fire. The vehicle is currently at a tow yard.
- Electrical system · Service brakes · Steering
My car was totaled, I lost steering assistance, and it switched off while I was driving. The car was the subject of an open recall. I need this looked at because it might be a crash caused by a fault.
- Unknown or other
Panoramic sunroof exploded while driving on route 30, York PA around 740am EST, shattered into pieces, made home late, urgent care closed near me will try again around 5am. Irritating eyes and headache most the day and having constant discomfort and worrying.
- Air bags
I had a diagnostic done and it was discovered that the passenger seat airbag is defective and needs to be replaced
- Fuel/propulsion system
My gas tank door would not open. Luckily I was not on a long trip. The vehicles key fob locks and unlocks door along with car doors. The dealer used a special tool to open the door and replaced inside parts. My concern is there is no fail safe to open the gas door. The design is flawed as there should be some sort of manual release in the trunk.
- Electrical system · Engine · Suspension
The vehicle had a repair made by dealership. The repair started to malfunction as it would lock the vehicles driving mechanism making the vehicle non opporstional while driving. Issue was reported to the same dealer and explained. The dealer stated that I would receive a call to schedule a…
The vehicle had a repair made by dealership. The repair started to malfunction as it would lock the vehicles driving mechanism making the vehicle non opporstional while driving. Issue was reported to the same dealer and explained. The dealer stated that I would receive a call to schedule a mechanical appointment to investigate however the time spent waiting for further instructions from dealer. Days later the system lock while driving I the high way i95 and flew of an exit ramp high up and for deep of field. Loosing not just my conscious but came to fine out I got injured on my back and no one took the responsibility on something that could have been avoid as the vehicle was brought to dealer for inspection prior to the accident but their negligence let me drive off with the vehicle.
- Service brakes
The contact owns a 2020 BMW 530I. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the contact depressed on the brake pedal desperately, but the vehicle would not stop, causing the contact to rear-end the vehicle in front. There were front end damages to the contact's vehicle and rear end damages…
The contact owns a 2020 BMW 530I. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the contact depressed on the brake pedal desperately, but the vehicle would not stop, causing the contact to rear-end the vehicle in front. There were front end damages to the contact's vehicle and rear end damages to the other vehicle. No warning light illuminated. The contact sustained head injuries that required medical attention. The driver in the other vehicle suffered injuries to the shoulders and the neck that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed by the dealer who stated no failure was found but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was repaired by the insurance company. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was inspected by a tech and stated no failure was found. The failure mileage was 700.
- Exterior lighting
There is a light sensor in the digital instrument cluster that dims the brightness during the day that it makes the instrument cluster un-readable.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 11012074the NVLD limited emissionrelated warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 15 years/150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service date.
- 11012067The NVLD limited emission related warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 15 years/150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service date.
- 10252038Check Control message (CCM) indicates: (ID 213): Stop, exercising due care. Voltage supply The Service Engine Soon light is on with the following DME Fault Code: 21B209 - Starter alternator / belt for 48V system (OSA_RIEMEN_RISS): Belt betweenCombustion engine and starter generator torn And/or one or more of the following other issues are also occurring: Noise in the area of the belt drive. Odor from the engine compartment. Smoke formation in the area of the belt drive. Drive belt damaged or prematurely worn. Torn drive belt.
- 10252031One or more of the LED daytime running lights are dim or discolored.
- 10250601The functionality of the left rear SRR sensor could be reduced which would display the Driving Assistance Check Control Message.
- 10250600The functionality of the right rear SRR sensor could be reduced which would display the "Driving Assistance"- Check Control Message.
- 10249437The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- 10249032The Central Information Display goes black intermittently due to resets of the Head Unit (HU-H3). FaultB7F8F9 HU-H: Reset will be stored in the HU-H3.
- 10249027The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle discharged battery complaints.
- 10249018At low outside temperatures (below 40 degrees F) and slow driving speeds (i.e. when parking, maneuvering)with a large steering angle, the front end can be slightly axially misaligned. This can be felt (jerking)/ heard via an acoustic acknowledgement (clunk) as seen at the 11 second mark of the video. See attached video V36 01 21.
- 10249017SITUATION Unusual noises occur only when operating the steering column in the axial direction. 1. A one-time thump sound at the start of movement Shortly after the steering column starts moving, retracting, or extending, a one-time thump noise is heard. See attached video V32 03 23 2. Humming noise while steering column extends in the axial direction. The sound is only heard when the steering column is extended, not when the steering column is retracted. When the steering column starts to move in the extended direction, the humming noise can be heard. See attached video V32 04 23
- 10247567Engine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel module (TFE) whendiagnosing with ISTA. The following two fault codes will be stored in the DME: 032B43 - Low fuel pressure system, electric fuel pump: pressure value too low CDA594 - Message (- 0x33E) missing, receiver DME, transmitter TFE
- 10245422Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicles equipment and settings, no acoustic or optical confirmation (folding the mirrors/blinking confirmation) is noticeable. Additionally, the red anti-theft alarm LED in the interior mirror does not briefly flash every 2 seconds, indicating the alarm is armed.
- 10245367Check Control message (CCM) indicates: (ID 213): Stop, exercising due care. Voltage supply The Service Engine Soon light is on with the following DME Fault Code: 21B209 - Starter alternator / belt for 48V system (OSA_RIEMEN_RISS): Belt betweenCombustion engine and starter generator torn And/or one or more of the following other issues are also occurring: Noise in the area of the belt drive. Odor from the engine compartment. Smoke formation in the area of the belt drive. Drive belt damaged or prematurely worn. Torn drive belt.
- 10245365Pressure control valve (pcv) extended ltd wty 15 years/150,000 miles
- 10242698?The sunroof will not operate in either direction.
- 10242694?The front seat will not calibrate/initialize, and the stored faults cannot be deleted.
- 10242691?Unusual noises occur only when operating the steering column in the axial direction.
- 10242688?A software error may cause an unwanted pressure pulsation in the transmission during a "Remote Engine Start."
- 10239614The air conditioning cycles from cold to warm air while driving or while at a stand still. The vent outlet temperatures vary by 25 degrees Fahrenheit or more (38 F to 60 F +) without changing any climate control settings.
- 10239611Headlight check control (CC) message 128 "High beam headlight failure" is displayed. The following fault codes are stored during a vehicle test: 80419A - Left high-beam headlight: Short circuit and/or 8041A5 - light outputs: Number of permitted short circuit cycles exceeded
- 10239604A groaning type noise is heard during the height adjustment.
- 10239603BMW AG has issued an Emissions Recall (effective March 17, 2023) on a certain Model Year 2021 - 2023 BMW vehicles that were produced between June 16, 2020, and December 13, 2022. Due to a software failure, there is the possibility that the transmission does not go into "sleep mode" if the car is turned off.
- 10239602A vehicle arrives at your center to be diagnosed for a micro-leak in the fuel evaporative (EVAP) system (NVLD natural vacuum leak detection). For this condition, the following fault is stored in the DME: 190302 - fuel tank ventilation and scavenging air system, micro-leak: leakage more than 0.5 mm.
- 10239601BMW AG has issued a Delivery Stop effective June 6, 2023 on certain Model Year 2023 - 2024 BMW vehicles that were produced between October 26, 2022 and May 8, 2023.
- 10239599With the introduction of the BMW Remote Software Upgrade, all Service Pack 18 vehicles and partial Service Pack 15 vehicles may receive new functionality or modifications in their features.
- 10238090After programming the head unit (HU-H2), activating the FSC (German word Freischaltcode) Enabling Codes repeatedly fails.
- 10238083Due to a software error, the vehicle sporadically does not achieve sleep mode. As a result, the 12-volt battery becomes discharged and may cause a no-start condition.
- 10238081Upon opening and closing the tailgate, a creaking/groaning sound can be heard from tailgate actuator.
- 10236387Engine Variants Updated.
- 10236236Issues with the various functions of the camera-based driver assistance systems (KAFAS system) can possibly lead to following customer complaints: KAFAS camera system deactivates itself, due to system restrictions that are not clear to the customer KAFAS camera system cannot be activated due to system restrictions that are not clear to the customer Road signs are sporadically not detected.
- 10235206Customer is shown an incorrect GPS location in the vehicle (i.e., Nav Map, coordinates).
- 10235205The 3G network in the US has been shut down. This means that only the 4G network will be available. In the 4G network, voice calls will be transferred via the Voice over LTE (VoLTE) function. For this purpose, the SIM card must perform an IMS registration in the mobile communication network. Due to a production error, the telematics control units were delivered without an IMS configuration. The Connected Drive voice services (Concierge Call, BMW Assistance, and emergency call voice) can no longer be used regionally in the US in vehicle with telematics control units ATM-1 and TCB-4G. Voice control of the vehicle and all other telephone (paired mobile devices) functions are not affected. Emergency call location data is unaffected.
- 10235203Customer states there is no audio playback (telephony, navigation, radio) and system sounds (PDC, turn indicators, acoustic signals) may also have failed.
- 10235200One or more of the LED daytime running lights are dim or discolored.
- 10235191Due to a software error, the vehicle sporadically does not achieve sleep mode. As a result, the 12-volt battery becomes discharged and may cause a no-start condition.
- 10235181A groaning type noise is heard during the height adjustment.
- 10235179There is a howling or whistling noise from under the vehicle at 30 -37 mph (50 -60 km/h) when driving after a cold start, when the outside temperature is 32 F (0 C) or lower.
- 10235178BMW AG has issued a Delivery Stop: Due to a software failure, there is the possibility that the transmission does not go into "sleep mode" if the car is turned off.
- 10233157There is a howling or whistling noise from under the vehicle at 30 -37 mph (50 -60 km/h) when driving after a cold start, when the outside temperature is 32 F (0 C) or lower. The noise goes away as the vehicle/driveline reaches operating temperature.
Every BMW 530I model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.