1999 BMW 540I — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
29
Owner Complaints
1
Recall
2
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1999 BMW 540I
The 1999 BMW 540I has received a total of 29 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There has been 1 recall campaign affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES. 2 technical service bulletins have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (4 complaints), Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemradiator Assembly (3 complaints), and Steering (3 complaints).
Recalls for the 1999 BMW 540I
NHTSA has recorded 1 recall for the 1999 BMW 540I, potentially affecting up to 1,615 vehicles.
Recall 99V004000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
| 1,615 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE THICKNESS OF THE MAIN POSITIVE ELECTRICAL CABLE (GENERATOR TO STARTER) INSULATION IS LESS THAN SPECIFIED, MAKING IT SUSCEPTIBLE TO BEING ABRADED OR CUT BY THE CLIP THAT SECURES THE CABLE TO THE GENERATOR.
Consequence: THE CABLE INSULATION CAN BE WORN AWAY, EXPOSING THE WIRE. THE WIRE COULD CONTACT THE CLIP OR A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL APPLY A THICKNESS OF INSULATING TAPE TO THE CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE CLIP, AND INSTALL A REVISED CLIP.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1999 BMW 540I
29 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1999 BMW 540I. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemradiator Assembly | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Latcheslockslinkages | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainautomatic Transmission | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bagssidewindow | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control Esc | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Controlautomatic Asc | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slipcontrol Unitmodule | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tirestreadbelt | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywiper | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 540I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE WAS BURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 99V004000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,076.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 540I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AND HESITATED WHEN SHIFTING THE GEAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. UPDATED 6/8/15*CN UPDATED 10/3/1017*CN
MY 1999 BMW 540I WAS JUST SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY AND WE HEARD A LOUD THUD. I WALKED OUT TO THE BMW AND NOTICED THE PASSENGER AIRBAG HAD DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON, SHATTERING THE WINDSHIELD. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING, IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR
MY 1999 BMW 540I WAS JUST SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY AND WE HEARD A LOUD THUD. I WALKED OUT TO THE BMW AND NOTICED THE PASSENGER AIRBAG HAD DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON, SHATTERING THE WINDSHIELD. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING, IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR
MY TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OR MOVE. I HAD THE TRANS REBUILD AND 2 YEARS LATER THE SAME PROBLEM. THE TRANS HAS LOST GEARS 1-3 AND REVERSE, MULTISTATE REPAIRED THE TRANS AGAIN 2013, IFOR THE SECOND TIME, IT NEVER WORKED AFTER REPAIRS. THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON, BMW SAYS I NEED NEW TRANS AND ENGINE. WHEN I LOOKED UP RECALLS FOR 540I, IT STATES THE SAME TRANS PROBLEM AND IT SHOULD BE REPLACED. WHEN I LOOK UP ENGINE THERE ARE KNOWN ENGINE PROBLEMS WITH 540I, NOT MY VIN. I ALSO HAVE ELECTRICAL ISSUES, WHICH HAVE A RECALL ON 540I, BUT NOT MY VIN. ALSO ISSUES WITH COOLANT, WHICH IS ANOTHER KNOWN ISSUE, BUT NOT MY VIN. I HAVE TRIED TO GET BMW TO DIAGNOSE, BUT THEY ONLY RECOMMEND REPLACING ALL PARTS AT MY EXPENSE, EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A HISTORY OF THESE TYPE OF ISSUES WITH THE 540I, 1999 CARS. I WANT BMW TO REPLACE ALL KNOW ISSUE PARTS AT THEIR EXPENSE AND THEY HAVE REFUSED DUE TO MY VIN, NOT WILLING TO ADD VIN TO THE ISSUE. ALL ISSUES WITH MY CAR ARE KNOWN ISSUES FOR 540I 1999 CARS. *TR
Safety Rating for the 1999 BMW 540I
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1999 BMW 540I in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1999 BMW 540I
BMW of North America, LLC has issued 2 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1999 BMW 540I. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
B170100 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The lower radiator coolant return hose may come in contact with the secondary air system check valve flange gasket when the engine coolant is at operating temperature due to coolant system pressure and expansion of the hose.
B122817 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
SERVICE ACTION: PROGRAM DME (FOR O2 SENSORS): Due to DME software error, the following oxygen sensors plausibility fault codes may be stored in DME 5.2.1 control module:
NHTSA Investigations for the 1999 BMW 540I
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BMW 540I
- 1994 BMW 540I — 12 complaints
- 1995 BMW 540I — 15 complaints
- 1997 BMW 540I — 31 complaints
- 1998 BMW 540I — 28 complaints
- 1999 BMW 540I (current)
- 2000 BMW 540I — 36 complaints
- 2001 BMW 540I — 17 complaints
- 2002 BMW 540I — 17 complaints
- 2003 BMW 540I — 9 complaints