*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Exterior lighting
The audio suddenly stops and my turn signals also stop working. When this happens when I'm in traffic, this is very frightening because I cannot signal lane changes or turns. Turning off the ignition and restarting the car always fixes the turn signals but only sometimes fixes the audio. It usually takes several restarts before the audio works. When in the failed condition with no audio and no turn signals and the engine running, disconnecting the Dynavin D9 "ibus box" from the vehicle instantly fixes the turn signals but not the audio. It has not been reproduced or confirmed nor has it been inspected. There is never any warning before the problem appears. I have been in continuous contact…
Sep 27, 2024Air bags
Car had sat for about a week since I had driven it. I opened the driver door, inserted the key, and turned the key to the starting position. It failed to crank after the dash lights lit up and then the driver steering wheel airbag deployed in my face. The car was on flat ground and the temperature was not extremely hot or extremely cold. The previous several times I had driven the car there was no indication of an SRS light and the car started perfectly every time.
Jul 22, 2023Air bags
I needed to move the car after it was sitting for about 3 weeks. It would not start due to the battery was run down. As soon as I started charging the battery, the front passenger airbag exploded causing extensive damage to the dashboard and windshield. Thank god my wife was not sitting in the car. I have not contacted anyone about this. It happened a few hours ago. It is about 93 degrees with very high humidity. I am sending this report because someone could have been killed.
Jul 6, 2023Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 540I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AS METAL SHARDS STARTED TO FALL FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND THE COOLANT WARNING LAMPS WERE ILLUMINATED BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THAT THE CLUTCH FAN HAD BECOME SEPARATED AND COOLANT WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH FAN WAS FRACTURED AND CUTTING THROUGH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS…
Dec 11, 2013 · 130,000 milesExterior lightingFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 540I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED, CAUSING THEM TO OVERHEAT AND MELT THE CASING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 00V048000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,021.
Oct 22, 2013 · 99,021 milesEngine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 540I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE ENGINE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A HYDRO-LOCK FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. *TR
Jun 10, 2013 · 180,000 milesElectrical system
WIRING HARNESS IN LOOM AT CONNECTION BETWEEN BODY AND TRUNK LID IS SHOWING CRACKED WIRES WHICH CAN LEAD TO A VARIETY OF SYMPTOMS WHEN WIRES SHORT. TRUNK WILL ONLY OPEN MANUALLY WITH KEY. KEY FOB REMOTE AND INSIDE VEHICLE TRUNK RELEASE DO NOT WORK. TRUNK CANNOT BE OPENED WHEN DOORS ARE UNLOCKED USING TRUNK HANDLE. OTHER SYMPTOMS INCLUDE MANY FALSE DASHBOARD WARNING INDICATORS RANGING FROM LOW COOLANT, TRUNK LID NOT CLOSED, ETC. WIRING SHORT COULD BE FIRE HAZARD. MANY EXAMPLE CASES CAN BE FOUND HERE HTTP://WWW.BIMMERFEST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=397245. *TR
Nov 15, 2012 · 104,000 milesSteering
LUCKY I WAS STOPPED WHEN THIS OCCURRED. MY ENGINE MADE A TERRIBLE NOISE AND CUT OUT. I WENT TO RESTART MY ENGINE AND NOTICED THAT ALL MY INDICATOR LIGHTS WERE ON. I WENT TO DRIVE AND MY POWER STEERING WAS COMPLETELY SHOT. COME TO FIND OUT THAT MY POWER STEERING PUMP BROKE WITH NO REAL WARNING. IF I HAD BEEN AT A HIGH SPEED THIS COULD HAVE LEAD TO A SERIOUS INJURY. *TR
Nov 30, 2011
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.