1998 BMW 540I — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
28
Owner Complaints
1
Recall
2
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1998 BMW 540I
The 1998 BMW 540I has received a total of 28 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There has been 1 recall campaign affecting this vehicle, covering issues with POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT. 2 technical service bulletins have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemradiator Assembly (7 complaints), Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System (3 complaints), and Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline (3 complaints).
Recalls for the 1998 BMW 540I
NHTSA has recorded 1 recall for the 1998 BMW 540I, potentially affecting up to 1,100 vehicles.
Recall 98V142000 — POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
| 1,100 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DIFFERENTIAL PINION SHAFT WITHIN THE DIFFERENTIAL CASE ASSEMBLY WAS PRODUCED WITHOUT THE APPROPRIATE SURFACE HARDENING. THIS CAN RESULT IN THE SHAFT EXPERIENCING PREMATURE WEAR.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION WILL CAUSE A NOISE FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL AND, ULTIMATELY, FAILURE OF THE SHAFT AND LOSS OF DRIVE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENTIRE DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1998 BMW 540I
28 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 BMW 540I. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemradiator Assembly | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Controlcatalytic Convertor | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Latcheslockslinkagestrunk Lidlock | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebodydoor | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemhoseslinespipingfittings | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Parking Brakeconventionalmechanical | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainclutch Assembly | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering Steering Wheelhandle Bar | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspensionfrontwheel Bearing | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitysunmoon Roof Assembly | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
While stopped (engine still running) at a gas station, the driver side airbag and driver side side curtain airbag both went off. The battery disconnect feature was also triggered. Very lucky I wasn't driving when this occurred.
WHITE STEAM WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD ONTO THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE STEAM WAS FOGGING THE WINDSHIELD, AND CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING 50-55 MPH. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP. DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE UPPER NECK CONNECTOR OF THE RADIATOR HOSE BROKE.*AK
2ND CATASTROPHIC RADIATOR FAILURE. NOT A LEAK, THE NECK BREAKS OFF CAUSING IMMEDIATE LOSS OF COOLING. 1ST RADIATOR AT 45K, 2ND AT 92K. BASED ON OTHER'S EXPERIENCES, THIS IS VERY COMMON FOR THIS MODEL (AND EVEN LONGER LIFE THAN MANY). CAUSES LOSS OF VISION DUE TO AMOUNT OF STEAM RELEASED. LESS EXPERIENCED DRIVER MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING VEHICLE TO GET TO SIDE OF ROAD QUICKLY TO SHUT DOWN. NO WAY TO PREDICT THE FAILURE. SAME ISSUE WITH EXPANSION TANK. BOTH FAILURES ARE ON PLASTIC PARTS.*AK
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A BUSY STREET ONE EVENING AND AS I CAME TO A LIGHT, SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF MY HOOD. FORTUNATELY IT WAS IN THE EVENING AND TRAFFIC WAS LIGHTER THAN USUAL. I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HAVING KNOWN OTHERS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO, I FIRST CHECKED THE RADIATOR AND SURE ENOUGH, THERE WAS A LARGE CRACK DOWN THE SIDE OF THE HOUSING. I HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME AND PURCHASED A NEW RADIATOR FROM BMW OF SEATTLE THE FOLLOWING MORNING. THE NEW RADIATOR WAS ABOUT $200, A FEW HOURS OF MY OWN LABOR AND A FEW MORE HOURS DETAILING THE ENGINE PAY AND HEADLIGHTS WHICH HAD RADIATOR FLUID ALL OVER THEM. ALSO FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF OTHERS WHO OWN E39 BMW 540S, I FULLY EXPECT THIS TO HAPPEN AGAIN IN THE NEXT 50K MILES. I ALSO EXPECT THE EXPANSION TANK TO GO WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. *AK
PLASTIC NECK OF RADIATOR ON MY '98 BMW 540IA BROKE COMPLETELY AND SUDDENLY ON HIGHWAY. WHITE SMOKE CAME OUT UNDER THE HOOD. SAW TEMP GAUGE CLIMB UP RAPIDLY. PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. NO ONE WAS HURT LUCKILY. *NM
View all Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemradiator Assembly complaints →
Safety Rating for the 1998 BMW 540I
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1998 BMW 540I in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1998 BMW 540I
BMW of North America, LLC has issued 2 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1998 BMW 540I. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
651998 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
SUBJECT PERTAINING TO DSP AMPLIFIER SWITCHING TO
04 17 97 — EQUIPMENT
SITUATION WITH THE TENSION ROD TEST GAUGE. *YC
NHTSA Investigations for the 1998 BMW 540I
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BMW 540I
- 1993 BMW 540I — 0 complaints
- 1994 BMW 540I — 12 complaints
- 1995 BMW 540I — 15 complaints
- 1997 BMW 540I — 31 complaints
- 1998 BMW 540I (current)
- 1999 BMW 540I — 29 complaints
- 2000 BMW 540I — 36 complaints
- 2001 BMW 540I — 17 complaints
- 2002 BMW 540I — 17 complaints
- 2003 BMW 540I — 9 complaints