BMW 540i and Other Models Recalled for Driveshaft Damage
Certain BMW 540i, M550i, 750e and 840i models face driveshaft damage and rollaway risks. See affected years, the repair plan and official recall documents.
BMW is recalling 27,720 vehicles because wear at the connection between the driveshaft and rear differential can cause a loss of drive power or a rollaway if the parking brake is not applied. Recall 26V525000 covers certain 2021–2023 540i, 540i xDrive and M550i xDrive models; 2024–2026 750e xDrive models; and 2022–2026 840i and 840i xDrive models.
Which vehicles are included?
- BMW 540i: 2021–2023
- BMW 540i xDrive: 2021–2023
- BMW 750e xDrive: 2024–2026
- BMW 840i: 2022–2026
- BMW 840i xDrive: 2022–2026
- BMW M550i xDrive: 2021–2023
These are the model-year groups listed for the campaign; only certain vehicles within them are affected.
- NHTSA recall ID: 26V525000
- Potentially affected: 27,720
- Initial report received: August 12, 2026.
Why the recall matters
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 official recall report provides the vehicle and defect details.
Repair and owner notification
Dealers will inspect the connection and apply adhesive or replace the driveshaft and rear axle differential as needed, free of charge. BMW plans to notify owners on October 2, 2026. NHTSA’s campaign record says affected VINs will become searchable on its site beginning that date. Owners seeking guidance before then should contact BMW or an authorized dealer; a current search result alone should not be treated as confirmation that this campaign does not apply.
Owner notification: Planned for October 2, 2026.
What owners should do
NHTSA says VINs for this campaign will become searchable on its site beginning October 2, 2026. Before that date, contact BMW or an authorized dealer for guidance; a current negative search result alone does not rule out this campaign. Use the official NHTSA VIN recall lookup for vehicle-specific recall information.
Our guide to VIN lookup tools and the limits of a no-recalls result explains how to follow up when a recall notice and an online search do not agree.
September 16, 2026 update
Clarified the M550i xDrive designation and October 2 planned owner notification. NHTSA says campaign VINs will become searchable on that date.
Current NHTSA campaign data for 26V525000, checked September 16, 2026, supports the current campaign status above. The linked manufacturer report records the filing at its submission date.
Need a fuller vehicle history?
VINsmart offers paid vehicle-history reports. For current recall status and no-cost repair eligibility, use NHTSA or your vehicle manufacturer.
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Sources used for this report.
References checked September 16, 2026.
To check a specific vehicle, use the official NHTSA VIN recall lookup.
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