BMW is recalling 27,720 5, 7 and 8 Series cars in the US because a worn driveshaft-to-differential joint can cut power to the rear wheels or, in rare cases, let a parked car roll away on its own.
Key Takeaways
- BMW issued a recall for 27,720 vehicles that could roll away and may lose power to the rear wheels entirely.
- According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) documents, the connection between the driveshaft and rear differential may erode over time.
- The recall population includes certain 8-series models from 2022–2026, certain 5-series models from 2021–2023, and certain 750e xDrive models from 2024–2026.
New Delhi: BMW of North America is recalling 27,720 vehicles in the United States because the connection between the driveshaft and the rear axle differential can wear out over time. In the worst case, that failure can cut power to the rear wheels while driving, or allow a parked car to roll away if the parking brake is not engaged.
Quick Answer: BMW is recalling 27,720 US vehicles — the 2021–2023 5 Series, 2022–2026 8 Series and 2024–2026 750e xDrive — over a driveshaft-to-differential joint that can wear enough to cause power loss or rollaway. Dealers will fix it for free.
Table of Contents
Which BMWs Are Covered
| Model | Model Years | Units Recalled |
|---|---|---|
| 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive | 2021–2023 | 18,150 |
| 840i, 840i xDrive | 2022–2026 | 7,372 |
| 750e xDrive | 2024–2026 | 2,198 |
According to BMW’s filing with NHTSA (campaign 26V525000), the joint that carries torque from the transmission back to the rear wheels can suffer excessive wear. NHTSA estimates that only about 0.2 percent of the recalled fleet actually has the defect, but the automaker is inspecting every covered car regardless.
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The Fix: Sometimes Just Adhesive
BMW dealers will inspect the driveshaft-to-differential connection on affected cars. Depending on what they find, the remedy is either applying adhesive to reinforce the joint or replacing the driveshaft and rear axle differential outright, at no cost to the owner. The recall carries no “do not drive” advisory, and BMW says the rollaway risk only applies if a car is parked without the parking brake engaged — a habit worth adopting for any owner waiting on the repair. Owner notification letters are expected by mail starting October 2, 2026.
AutoAkhbar Verdict
This is a comparatively low-volume recall next to some of the mass campaigns we cover, but the failure mode — a car that can roll on its own — is exactly the kind of rare-but-serious issue regulators take seriously. If you drive a 2021–2023 5 Series, a recent 8 Series, or a 750e xDrive, it costs nothing to check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and get on BMW’s schedule.
Source Name : Car and Driver
FAQ BMW Recalls 27,720 Cars
Which BMW models are included in this recall?
The 2021–2023 540i, 540i xDrive and M550i xDrive; the 2022–2026 840i and 840i xDrive; and the 2024–2026 750e xDrive, totalling 27,720 vehicles.
What is the actual defect in the BMW recall?
The connection between the driveshaft and the rear axle differential can wear excessively over time, which can cut power to the rear wheels or, in rare cases, let a parked car roll away.
Is the BMW driveshaft recall repair free?
Yes. Dealers will inspect the joint and either apply adhesive or replace the driveshaft and rear axle differential at no cost, with owner letters expected by October 2, 2026.
