1997 BMW 540iA recalls & problems
The 1997 BMW 540iA has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 12 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (13 complaints).
Recalls0safety recalls
Complaints12filed by owners
Crashes · fires1 · 1reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 1997 BMW 540iA.
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.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling Cooling system › Radiator assembly; Cooling system | 13 | 54,361 mi |
| Air bags | 1 | — |
| Suspension Front › Springs › Coil springs | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Feb 2, 2006 · 180,500 milesSuspension › Front › Springs › Coil springs
I HAVE A 1997 540 BMW WITH 180,000 MI. INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE OF A FLAT DRIVER SIDE RIGHT FRONT TIRE I DISCOVERED THE FRONT SPRING STRUT PLATE WAS CRACKED AND ALLOWED ITSELF AND THE COIL SPRING TO CONTACT AND CUT DOWN THE TIRE. FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 04V183000 DESCRIBING EXACT CONDITION. TOWED TO DEVON HILL BMW IN PA. THEY WILL NOT PAY TO REPLACE SPRING STRUT PLATE. THEY STATE BMW DOES NOT SELL THE SPRING STRUT PLATE SEPARATE FROM THE STRUT AND SINCE I INSTALL AFTERMARKET BILSTIEN STRUTS AT 108,000 MI. WHICH REQUIRES THE INSTALLER TO USE THE EXISTING SPRING STRUT PLATE BMW IS NOT RESPONSIBLE. THERE IS ALSO A RECORD OF THE CAR BEING AT ANOTHER BMW DEALER AT 135,000 MILES WHERE THE REPAIR… - Dec 6, 2005Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Fan
1. BROUGHT MY CAR TO FIRESTONE AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR IN LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA AND HAD THE THERMOSTAT REPLACED - WORK COMPLETED BY FIRESTONE - 2-5 DAYS LATER WENT TO BEVERLY HILLS BMW TO HAVE COOLANT RESEVOIR REPLACED WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW THERMOSTAT (JUST REPLACED AT FIRESTONE) AND WATER PUMP AND THAT I HAD A MAJOR ENGINE LEAK (LATER WAS TOLD I HAD A MINOR ENGINE LEAK NOT WORTH REPAIR AT THAT POINT) - HAD WATER PUMP REPLACED. - RECIEVED VEHICLE FROM BEVERLY HILLS BMW WITH THE ENGINE COVER REMOVED AND VEHICLE NOT CHECKED AS ASKED - THIS TOOK 3 WEEKS! 2. THE PROBLEM: WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON THE HWY 2 HOURS FROM MY HOUSE AN EXPLOSION OCCURED IN THE ENGINE BAY OF THE VEHICLE. 4 PEICES OF THE… - Apr 1, 2003 · 44,000 milesEngine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly
A FAULTY RADIATOR DESIGN (PLASTIC NECK?) CAUSED MY 97 BMW 540IA TO BREAK DOWN ON THE FREEWAY DURING RUSH HOUR. *NM - Jan 15, 2003 · 88,000 milesEngine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly
RADIATOR/OVERFLOW TANK ON MY 1997 BMWS 540IA CRACKED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT 85,000 MILES. THE RADIATORS IN BMWS ARE KNOWN AS A WEAKNESS AND CONTINUALLY FAIL ON OWNERS. THIS SITUATION SHOULD BE REMEDIED!*AK - May 1, 2003 · 65,000 milesEngine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly
THE RADIATOR HOSE CONNECTION AT THE TOP OF THE RADIATOR FAILED COMPLETELY. IT IS MADE OF PLASTIC, AND SPLIT UNDER COOL WEATHER CONDITIONS. THIS RESULTED IN REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE RADIATOR, AND REPLACEMENT OF RADIATOR OVERFLOW CONTAINER. IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THE USE OF PLASTIC IN THIS APPLICATION RESULTED IN HEAT STRESS OVER TIME, EVENTUALLY RESULTING IN COMPLETE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING. POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE STILL BEING ASSESSED AT THIS TIME. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED TOO MANY CUSTOMERS, HOWEVER, THE FACTORY REPLACEMENT PARTS APPEAR TO BE EXACTLY THE SAME AS ORIGINAL. THEREFORE, I CAN EXPECT TOTAL COOLANT FAILURE AGAIN IN THE FUTURE. THIS SEEMS IMPRUDENT, AND I HAVE NO… - Aug 23, 2003 · 69,718 milesEngine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly
RADIATOR DEFECT -- PLASTIC NECK OF RADIATOR CONNECTING TO UPPER HOSE BROKE AT POINT OF CONNECTION WHILE AT MODERATE SPEED, SPRAYING COOLANT ONTO ENGINE AND WINDSHIELD AND CAUSING RISKS OF FIRE AND HAZARDOUS IMPAIRMENT OF VISABILITY. THIS DEFECT IS WELL KNOWN TO THE MANUFACTURER AND A RECALL SHOULD BE COMMENCED.*AK - Jul 13, 2003 · 101,932 milesEngine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly
1997 BMW 540IA RADIATOR FAILURE. UPPER HOSE CONNECTION CRACKED OFF UNEXPECTEDLY, CAUSING CATASTROPHIC DUMP OF ENGINE COOLANT. VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY DISABLED.*AK - May 1, 2003 · 88,000 milesAir bags
THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS DUE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE WEIGHT SYSTEM. *NLM *SCC *JB
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.