Model year record

1999 BMW 540i recalls & problems

The 1999 BMW 540i has 1 safety recall and 22 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (6 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints22filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Electrical systemJan 4, 1999

12v/24v/48v battery › Cables

Recall 99V0040001,615 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: THE CABLE INSULATION CAN BE WORN AWAY, EXPOSING THE WIRE. THE WIRE COULD CONTACT THE CLIP OR A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD OCCUR.
Fix: DEALERS WILL APPLY A THICKNESS OF INSULATING TAPE TO THE CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE CLIP, AND INSTALL A REVISED CLIP.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

540i

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.4 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

540i

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.4 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

540i

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.4 L · 8 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

540i Touring

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.4 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingCooling system › Radiator assembly; Cooling system	6	0	58,000 mi
Electrical system	4	1	108,538 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission	3	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module	3	0	72,000 mi
Steering	3	0	—
Air bagsSide/window	2	0	—
Latches/locks/linkages	2	0	—
TiresTread/belt	1	0	—
Electronic stability controlAutomatic (asc)	1	0	—
Electronic stability control (esc)	1	0	—
Service brakes	1	0	—
Engine	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Electrical system
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.
Jun 22, 2015 · 147,076 miles
Power train › Automatic transmission
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
Feb 16, 2011 · 16,000 miles
Air bags
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
Mar 20, 2015 · 189,000 miles
Engine
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…
May 11, 2011 · 70,000 miles
Service brakes
POWER STEERING PUMP BROKE CAUSING ACCESSORY BELT TO BE THROWN FROM ENGINE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING AND POWER. *TR
Nov 27, 2013 · 188,000 miles
Steering
VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEED (55-60MPH) AND A LOUD METALLIC 'THUNK' NOISE WAS HEARD AS IF SOMETHING STRUCK OR BOUNCED OFF THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR. THE SERPENTINE DRIVE BELT WAS DISCOVERED TO HAVE COME OFF THE DRIVE PULLEYS, AND UPON CLOSER INSPECTION THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS DISCOVERED TO BE LOOSE. THE UPPER MOUNTING EAR WAS BROKEN, AND THE LOWER MOUNTING BOLT WAS MISSING ENTIRELY. IT APPEARS THE BREAK IN THE UPPER MOUNTING EAR CAUSE THE LOWER BOLT TO VIBRATE LOOSE, AND IN TURN THE SERPENTINE DRIVE BELT WAS DISLODGED. THE RESULT WAS SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING THAT NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN AT LOW SPEED DUE TO SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN STEERING…
Mar 25, 2011 · 176,009 miles
Latches/locks/linkages
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 540I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WAS UNABLE TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
Nov 5, 2010 · 135,000 miles
Steering
STARTED MY CAR AND HEARD A THUMPING NOISE AND FOUND OUT IT WAS MY BELT BEING CHEWED UP BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING PUMP BRACKETS BROKE. *TR
Aug 12, 2010

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.