2024 BMW 540i Xdrive

The 2024 BMW 540i xDrive has 2 recalls, both affecting vehicle control: a steering spindle that can break and force the driver to work much harder to steer, and a braking system fault that can reduce stopping power and disable anti-lock and stability controls.

The steering spindle is a critical link between the steering wheel and the front wheels, and if it breaks, the driver will feel a sudden and significant increase in resistance when trying to turn. That added effort makes it much harder to respond quickly in an emergency. On the braking side, a loss of power brake assist means the brake pedal requires noticeably more force to slow the vehicle, extending stopping distances. The same fault can also disable the anti-lock braking system and the electronic stability control, which are the systems that prevent wheel lockup and help the vehicle stay on course during hard braking or slippery conditions. Without those systems functioning, the vehicle becomes harder to control when it matters most.