2001 BMW 540IA — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
8
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2001 BMW 540IA
The 2001 BMW 540IA has received a total of 8 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemradiator Assembly (3 complaints), Air Bags (1 complaint), and Electrical Systemwiring (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 2001 BMW 540IA
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2001 BMW 540IA, potentially affecting up to 101,019 vehicles.
Recall 03V421000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
| 23,000 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A MICROPROCESSOR IN THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE, WHICH ACTIVATES THE FRONT AIR BAGS, THE SIDE AIR BAGS, THE FRONT SEAT SAFETY BELT PRETENSIONERS, AND THE BATTERY SAFETY TERMINAL, MAY HAVE A MALFUNCTION THAT COULD LEAD TO AN UNINTENDED ACTIVATION OF ONE OR MORE OF THESE COMPONENTS.
Consequence: UNEXPECTED DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG(S) COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY IF AN OCCUPANT IS TOO CLOSE TO THE DEPLOYING AIR BAG(S). IN ADDITION, THE BATTERY SAFETY TERMINAL MAY ALSO BE ACTIVATED. IF THAT HAPPENS, THE STARTER CABLE WOULD BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM THE BATTERY, AND THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER10, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
View full details →Recall 01V206000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
| 76,469 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ENGINE AUXILIARY/COOLING FAN OPERATION, INCLUDING VARIABLE SPEED, IS ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED. FAILURE OF THE FAN MOTOR CAN CAUSE THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY OF THE FAN CONTROL UNIT TO OVERLOAD AND FAIL, CAUSING THE FAN TO STOP OPERATING.
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, ENGINE OVERHEATING AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE DAMAGE COULD RESULT. IN ADDITION, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY TO CAUSE A FIRE IN THE FAN CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FAN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 28, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW...
View full details →Recall 02V138000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
| 1,550 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ENGINE AUXILIARY/COOLING FAN OPERATION, INCLUDING VARIABLE SPEED, IS ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED. FAILURE OF THE FAN MOTOR CAN CAUSE THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY OF THE FAN CONTROL UNIT TO OVERLOAD AND FAIL, CAUSING THE FAN TO STOP OPERATING.
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, ENGINE OVERHEATING AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE DAMAGE COULD RESULT. IN ADDITION, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY TO CAUSE A FIRE IN THE FAN CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FAN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 28, 2001. THIS IS A SUPPLEMENT TO A RECALL THAT BEGAN DURING SEPTEMBER 2001 (SEE RECALL CAMPAIGN 01V206). OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2001 BMW 540IA
8 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2001 BMW 540IA. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemradiator Assembly | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical Systemwiring | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainautomatic Transmission | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Beltsfrontretractor | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 540IA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V047000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN JANUARY OF 2017. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAG INFLATOR WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED IN 2006 AND DID NOT REQUIRE ANOTHER REPLACEMENT. AFTER READING THE SUMMARY FOR THE RECALL THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT IF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED DUE TO A CRASH OR AS A RECALL REMEDY, THE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG INFLATOR MAY ALSO EXPERIENCE A FAILURE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED A SECOND TIME. THE CONTACT THEN NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR A SECOND REPLACEMENT INFLATOR ALTHOUGH THE VIN ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE INDICATED THE RECALL WAS OUTSTANDING. THERE WAS NO FAILURE MILEAGE.
TRANSMISSION FROM WORKING PERFECT ONE DAY. AND BOOM THE NEXT MORNING PUT IT IN REVERSE AND IT ROLLS BACK AND REVS AS IF IT IS IN NEUTRAL. *TR
I HAVE A 2001 BMW 540IA [XXX] AND ALL THE EXTERNAL LIGHTS ARE GRADUALLY FAILING. IN ALL CASES THE LIGHTS BULBS ARE OK. FIRST THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TURN SIGNAL LIGHT FAILED, THEN THE DRIVERS SIDE DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHT, THEN THE PASSENGER SIDE REVERSING LIGHT, THEN THE PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT, THEN DRIVERS SIDE HIGH BEAM, THEN THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT TURN LIGHT ETC. FAILURES WERE OVER APPROXIMATELY A 2 WEEK PERIOD. THE MOST DISTURBING THING IS THE ONBOARD COMPUTER IS SHOWING ALL THE EXTERNAL LIGHTS WORKING CORRECTLY. MY BMW MECHANIC TELLS ME THE FAULT IS IN THE ONBOARD LIGHT CONTROL MODULE (LCM). I CONSIDER A FAILURE OF THIS NATURE TO BE COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE IN A 4 YEAR OLD VEHICLE AND A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO BMW NA, SO FAR THEY ARE NOT INTERESTED IN INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEM. *NM UPDATED 07/18/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
RADIATOR CRACKED, DISABLING CAR ON HIGHWAY. ALSO CAUSED XENON LAMP FAILURE. REPLACED BY DEALER UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN DEFECT ON BMW E-39 SERIES CARS. *JB
WATER PUMP FAILURE. COOLANT LEAKING FROM SHAFT. RADIATOR FAILURE, DRIVERS SIDE TOP RADIATOR NIPPLE INLET CRACKED. *AK
View all Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemradiator Assembly complaints →
Safety Rating for the 2001 BMW 540IA
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2001 BMW 540IA in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2001 BMW 540IA
No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2001 BMW 540IA
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BMW 540IA
- 1997 BMW 540IA — 15 complaints
- 1998 BMW 540IA — 3 complaints
- 1999 BMW 540IA — 11 complaints
- 2000 BMW 540IA — 8 complaints
- 2001 BMW 540IA (current)
- 2002 BMW 540IA — 3 complaints