The 2018 BMW 5 Series has 6 recalls, the most serious involving fire and stall risks: on 540d xDrive models, the exhaust gas recirculation cooler can crack and leak, potentially igniting an engine fire, and on M5 models, both a fuel pump software fault and an inaccurate fuel gauge can cause the engine to stall without warning.
The EGR cooler issue may show up as a coolant warning light, reduced power, unusual engine noise, or smoke from the engine compartment. Note that a prior repair attempt for this defect did not fully resolve the issue in some cases, requiring a second fix. The fuel gauge problem on M5 models is separate: the fuel level sensor can contact an in-tank fuel line and report more fuel than is actually present, so the engine may cut out before the gauge shows empty. On diesel-equipped models more broadly, a crankshaft sensor fault can also cause the engine to stall and cut drive power unexpectedly. The least severe recall covers the rearview camera, which can retain manually adjusted settings between uses and display a low-brightness, high-contrast image that makes it hard to see what is behind the vehicle.
At a glance
What can fail
During an earlier recall repair, a wrong part may have been installed. On certain 540d xDrive models, the exhaust gas recirculation cooler can crack internally and leak, causing coolant loss, reduced power, exhaust odor, engine noise, or smoke.
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What the fix does
Take your vehicle to a BMW dealership. They will inspect and replace the EGR module and intake manifold with updated parts if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The exhaust gas recirculation cooler may crack internally and leak coolant, causing warning lights, reduced power, exhaust odor, engine noise, or smoke.
What the fix does
BMW dealers will replace the EGR module and inspect and replace the intake manifold if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rearview camera doesn't reset to default settings when turned on. If you previously set brightness very low or contrast very high, the image may be hard to see.
What the fix does
A software update for the rearview camera will be installed at a dealer at no cost to restore proper reset behavior.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel level sensor may touch the in-tank fuel line, causing the fuel gauge to show incorrect readings. Your vehicle could run out of fuel while the gauge still shows fuel remaining, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly.
What the fix does
The dealer will secure the fuel line to prevent it from contacting the fuel level sensor.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A faulty crankshaft sensor in certain diesel-engine vehicles can cause the engine to stall unexpectedly, cutting power to the vehicle.
What the fix does
Your dealer will replace the crankshaft sensor.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error in the engine control unit may cause the fuel pump to stop working, which can cause the engine to stall.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the engine control unit software to correct the error.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
