Owners have filed 31 complaints
about the 1997 BMW 540I with NHTSA between 1999 and 2019.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 7 of 13 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 64
Against the median year of the BMW 540I. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 50
9.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
14.8%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
942.9%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
523.8%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
419.0%
150,000+ miles
29.5%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Nov 1999peak 4Dec 2019
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 93,000 milesSAN Jose, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE ELECTRONIC COOLANT THERMOSTAT SHORTED OUT AND CAUSED ENGINE WIRING HARNESS THE BURN UP. THIS CAUSED THE ENIGINE TO STOP RUNNING. LUCKILY, BURNING WAS RESTRICTED TO WIRES AND NO OTHER COMPONENTS WERE BURNT. CAR IS STILL WAITING FOR A NEW WIRING HARNESS AT THE BMW DEALER ($2000 EST FOR REPAIR). I HAVE HEARD OF SIMILAR OCCURANCES WITH THIS MODEL CAR AND WITH 740I OF ABOUT THE SAME YEAR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND SHOULD BE PREVENTED BY A FUSE OR FUSABLE LINK.
NHTSA complaint #10074901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Scottsdale, AR1 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DRIVER USES REMOTE KEY TO LOCK AUTO FROM DISTANCE AWAY SEALING PASSENGER IN CAR: OUTSIDE TEMP. 114 DEGREES. CAR DESIGN HAS NO ESCAPE DEVICE FROM INSIDE INSIDE
NHTSA complaint #749372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Northbrook, ILFire
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE. INSURANCE INVESTIGATORS CLAIMED FIRE WAS DUE TO BRAKE FLUID BEING EXPELLED FROM ABS SYSTEM AND IGINITING EXHAUST MANIFOLD.
NHTSA complaint #853119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Redding, CA
SEAT BELTS
PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEATBELT LOCKS IN THE SIDE PANEL AND WONT EXTEND TO ALLOW PASSENGERS TO GET BUCKLED UP. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME BUT IT HAPPENS.
NHTSA complaint #11287171 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesSAN Diego, CA
POWER TRAIN
INCIDENT #1 2010: ACCELERATED THE VEHICLE TO 75MPH TO ENTER FREEWAY. TOOK FOOT OFF GAS AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. ENGAGED CLUTCH TO STOP ACCELERATION AND RPM CONTINUED TO RISE TO THE LIMITER POINT (APPROX 5500 RPM). PULLED OVER, STARTED CAR AND ENGINE IMMEDIATELY WENT TO THE RED LINE. ON INSPECTION, A PLASTIC PART ON AN ACCELERATOR CABLE HAD CRACKED, CAUSING THE ACCELERATOR TO LOCK IN THE FULLY OPEN POSITION. IF THE CLUTCH HAD NOT BEEN ENGAGED (I.E. IF THIS CAR HAD AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION), THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A COLLISION AND POSSIBLE INJURIES OR FATALITIES. INCIDENT #2 12/2/2012. STARTED CAR AND PULLED AWAY FROM CURB. AT ABOUT 3-5 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. STOPPED CAR, TURNED OFF IGNITION AND STARTED IT AGAIN. THE WHEEL UNLOCKED BUT THERE WAS AN AUDIBLE CLICKING SOUND WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN. CAREFULLY DROVE ABOUT ONE MILE TO HOUSE AND TURNED OFF ENGINE. STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AGAIN AND CAR COULD NOT BE STARTED. THE WHEEL LOCKING WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN WAS A CONDITION THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A COLLISION AND POSSIBLE INJURIES OR FATALITIES.
NHTSA complaint #10488021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Deggendorf, 00
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
I EXCHANGED THE LAMBDA SENSOR OF MY CAR A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. SUDDENLY MY MILEAGE WENT DOWN AND I STARTED AN ERROR SEARCH. SINCE I WAS DOING A COUPLE OF OTHER THINGS ON THE CAR I DIDN'T COME UP WITH THE SENSORS UP FRONT. UPDATED 11/16/10 *BF UPDATED 03/23/11 *BF SO WHEN IT CAME TO THEM I RECOGNIZED THAT THEY WERE GROUNDED THROUGH THE EXHAUST WHAT THEY SHOULDN'T DO AT MY CAR! WHEN I ASKED THE MANUFACTURER THEY DISMISSED EVERYTHING AS IF IT IS NOT THEIR FAULT. AND THEY KEEP SELLING THE LAMBDA SENSORS FOR A RANGE OF CARS THAT DEFINITELY DO NOT FIT! MANUFACTURER IS BORGWARNER BERU SYSTEMS GMBH! LAMBDA SENSOR IS OZH 173 HTTP://BERU.COM/ENGLISH/PRODUKTE/PRODUKTIDENT.PHP?S=OZH+173&EANR=0824010207&ACTION=STEP02 THE DANGER RESULTS FROM THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE GROUNDING: THIS LEADS TO A HEATING UP OF THE LAMBDA SENSORS WHICH THEN MIGHT IGNITE UNBURNED FUEL IN THE EXHAUST. THIS FUEL WILL DEFINITELY BE THERE AS THE GROUNDING ALSO DESTROYS THE OUTPUT STAGES OF THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT THAT ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FUEL MIXTURE. THE CAR WILL ULTIMATELY FATTEN UP, RESULTING IN UNBURNED FUEL GETTING TO THE EXHAUST AND BEING IGNITED BY THE HEATED UP LAMBDA SENSORS! THIS IS WHAT CAN BURN DOWN THE WHOLE CAR DURING DRIVING AND ALSO WHEN STANDING AFTER A LONGER TRIP! SO THESE LAMBDA SENSORS DESTROYED MY MOTOR CONTROL UNIT, MY CATALYTIC CONVERTERS, ETC. I WOULD BE GLAD IF YOU COULD RESEARCH FURTHER INTO THIS AND NOTIFY ME OF THE STATUS! UPDATED11/23/10. *JB UPDATED 12/01/10. *JB
NHTSA complaint #10362195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesSalt Lake City, UT
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES RAPIDLY IN OUT-OF-CONTROL MANNER. SOMETIMES IT ALSO DECELERATES RAPIDLY, AND LURCHES.
NHTSA complaint #10297073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesBend, OR
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHENEVER MY CRUISE CONTROL IS SET, VEHICLE CONSISTENTLY OVERCOMPENSATES IN SPEED FLUCTUATIONS. IT IS ALMOST AS IF THE ACCELERATOR PEDDLE GETS STUCK ALL THE WAY DOWN. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO GO FROM HWY SPEEDS TO EXTREMELY DANGEROUS 80+MPH SPEEDS IN A MATTER OF A FEW SECONDS. CRUISE CONTROL MUST THEN BE DISENGAGED. I HAVE OWNED THIS PARTICULAR CAR FOR OVER A YEAR AND IT HAS ALWAYS DONE THIS. CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT SAFE TO USE AT ANY TIME. SEVERAL TIMES, IT HAS NEARLY MADE ME HAVE A REAR END COLLISION BECAUSE IT WILL TAKE OFF WITH NO WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #10267722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 53,777 milesPalo Alto, CA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
1997 BMW 540I FUSE TO THE FUEL INJECTOR BLEW OUT.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *MR THE VEHICLE WOULD ALL OF A SUDDEN DIE WHEN IN MOTION DUE TO THE BLOWN FUSE(S) TO THE INJECTOR. THE THERMOSTAT TEMPERATURE SENSOR HAD AN INTERNAL SHORT WHICH CAUSED THE WIRE TO MELT AND BLEW THE FUSE. THE SUNROOF WAS INOPERATIVE DUE TO THE RAIL LIFT PIECES BEING BROKEN. *SC THE WIPER BLADES WERE NOT CLEANING THE WINDOWS PROPERLY.
NHTSA complaint #10130203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 53,777 milesPalo Alto, CA
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
1997 BMW 540I FUSE TO THE FUEL INJECTOR BLEW OUT.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *MR THE VEHICLE WOULD ALL OF A SUDDEN DIE WHEN IN MOTION DUE TO THE BLOWN FUSE(S) TO THE INJECTOR. THE THERMOSTAT TEMPERATURE SENSOR HAD AN INTERNAL SHORT WHICH CAUSED THE WIRE TO MELT AND BLEW THE FUSE. THE SUNROOF WAS INOPERATIVE DUE TO THE RAIL LIFT PIECES BEING BROKEN. *SC THE WIPER BLADES WERE NOT CLEANING THE WINDOWS PROPERLY.
NHTSA complaint #10130203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 53,777 milesPalo Alto, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1997 BMW 540I FUSE TO THE FUEL INJECTOR BLEW OUT.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *MR THE VEHICLE WOULD ALL OF A SUDDEN DIE WHEN IN MOTION DUE TO THE BLOWN FUSE(S) TO THE INJECTOR. THE THERMOSTAT TEMPERATURE SENSOR HAD AN INTERNAL SHORT WHICH CAUSED THE WIRE TO MELT AND BLEW THE FUSE. THE SUNROOF WAS INOPERATIVE DUE TO THE RAIL LIFT PIECES BEING BROKEN. *SC THE WIPER BLADES WERE NOT CLEANING THE WINDOWS PROPERLY.
NHTSA complaint #10130203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 53,777 milesPalo Alto, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1997 BMW 540I FUSE TO THE FUEL INJECTOR BLEW OUT.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *MR THE VEHICLE WOULD ALL OF A SUDDEN DIE WHEN IN MOTION DUE TO THE BLOWN FUSE(S) TO THE INJECTOR. THE THERMOSTAT TEMPERATURE SENSOR HAD AN INTERNAL SHORT WHICH CAUSED THE WIRE TO MELT AND BLEW THE FUSE. THE SUNROOF WAS INOPERATIVE DUE TO THE RAIL LIFT PIECES BEING BROKEN. *SC THE WIPER BLADES WERE NOT CLEANING THE WINDOWS PROPERLY.
NHTSA complaint #10130203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 127,075 milesKennesaw, GA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
THE RADIATOR NECK BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON MY 1997 540I. IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH BMW BY ALL ACCOUNTS, OWNERS, TECHNICIANS AND EVEN MY OWN PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED IT WITH AN 1988 735I. PLASTIC PARTS ON THE RADIATOR IS UNACCEPTABLE, DANGEROUS AND COSTLY. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS ON THESE EXPENSIVE LUXURY VEHICLES WITH NO RESOLUTION BY BMW.
NHTSA complaint #10116922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesUnknown, WA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
(1) REPLACED WATER PUMP AND ACCESSORY BELTS. ON A FORUM THAT I READ, MANY SUGGEST REPLACING THE RADIATOR WHEN REPLACING THE WATER PUMP, AS PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE DUE TO THE RADIATOR'S HIGH AND FREQUENT FAILURE. REPLACE THE RADIATOR AS PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE?!? I WOULD RATHER NOT. A RADIATOR IS NOT AN OIL OR AIR FILTER. (2) UPPER NECK ON THE RADIATOR BROKE AND RELEASED MORE THAN A GALLON OF COOLANT, IN LESS THAN 50 FEET, IN THE FORM OF LIQUID AND STEAM. THE STEAM OBSCURED VISION ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. LUCKILY I WAS MAKING A RIGHT-HAND TURN INTO A PARKING LOT. (3) NO REPAIR AS OF YET. THE FAILURE OF THE RADIATOR OCCURRED AT APPROXIMATELY 11:00 AM. I MADE IT HOME AT 12:05 P.M. I CALLED THE LOCAL BMW PARTS DEPARTMENT (ONE HOUR AND THIRTY MINUTES AWAY) TO ARRANGE TO PAY FOR THE RADIATOR BY CREDIT CARD AND THEN HAVE THE PART LEFT WITH ONE OF THE SALESPERSONS, BECAUSE THE PARTS DEPARTMENT CLOSES AT 1:00 P.M. BUT THEY NO LONGER ACCEPT CREDIT CARD PURCHASES OVER THE PHONE FROM IN-STATE CUSTOMERS, EVEN AFTER PRACTICALLY BEGGING. VERY POOR PRACTICE UNLESS THEY WANT TO LOOSE CUSTOMERS. ACTUALLY IMMEDIATELY AFTER I SUBMIT THIS I WILL GO ON-LINE AND TRY TO FIND AN AFTER-MARKET RADIATOR. PROBABLY OF BETTER QUALITY ANYWAY. SAD BUT TRUE. I ENCOURAGE THE RELEASE OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS QUESTIONNAIRE TO THE MANUFACTURER OF MY VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10100611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 191,784 milesMount Sterling, OH
SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT
THE FRONT STRUT SPRING PERCH FAILED ON MY 1997 MODEL BMW 540I. THE PERCH CUT INTO TIRE. HIS HAPPENED AT LOW-SPEED, SO NO INJURIES RESULTED (LUCKILY).MW NA HAS ISSUED A RECALL, BUT MY VEHICLE SUPPOSEDLY IS NOT COVERED, I THINK IT MISSED BY TWO MONTHS. MY BUILD DATE IS 08/96. I CONTACTED BMW NA ON 6/21/04 AND SPOKE TO RYAN, I WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL AND THAT BMW NA WOULD NOT REIMBURSE ME FOR THE DAMAGES. I HAVE DIGITAL PICTURES OF THE STRUT THAT I CAN EMAIL. I ALSO HAVE THE STRUTS THEMSELVES STILL IN MY GARAGE IF SOMEONE WOULD BE INTERESTED IN SEEING THEM. JOHN.
NHTSA complaint #10078548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,000 milesSAN Jose, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE ELECTRONIC COOLANT THERMOSTAT SHORTED OUT AND CAUSED ENGINE WIRING HARNESS THE BURN UP. THIS CAUSED THE ENIGINE TO STOP RUNNING. LUCKILY, BURNING WAS RESTRICTED TO WIRES AND NO OTHER COMPONENTS WERE BURNT. CAR IS STILL WAITING FOR A NEW WIRING HARNESS AT THE BMW DEALER ($2000 EST FOR REPAIR). I HAVE HEARD OF SIMILAR OCCURANCES WITH THIS MODEL CAR AND WITH 740I OF ABOUT THE SAME YEAR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND SHOULD BE PREVENTED BY A FUSE OR FUSABLE LINK.
NHTSA complaint #10074901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,200 milesPonte Vedra Beach, FL
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
BUCKLE ON THE SEAT BELT IS IN A DEPRESSED POSITION, PREVENTING THE LATCH FROM LOCKING. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO SAID IT WOULD COST $400.00 TO REPAIR SEAT BELT BUCKLE. *AK THE SET BELT LATCH WOULD BECOME CONTINUOUSLY DEPRESSED IN WHICH IT WOULD NOT SPRING BACK AND WOULD NOT CONNECT INTO THE LATCH.
NHTSA complaint #10075588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 43,000 milesSAN Francisco, CA
SUSPENSION:FRONT
DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM THE FRONT SPRING STRUT RECALL 04V183000 REPAIRS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED CUSTOMER SERVICE AND RECEIVED AN INSUFFICIENT REPLY. *AK *SC
NHTSA complaint #10074067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesCenterville, OH
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
THE DRIVER SEAT CREATES A CLICKING NOISE AND MOVES OUT OF PLACE (VERY MINOR MOVEMENT) AT NUMEROUS TIMES (AS IN NOT IN LOCKED POSITION) WHILE MAKING TURNS. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY WANT A FORTUNE TO CHECK IT OUT. THE 540I ONLY HAS 65K MILES ON IT. IT CAN BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION, IF THE CHAIR SOME HOW LOSES IT LOCKING.
NHTSA complaint #10054240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesHickory Hills, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
THE RADIATOR IN MY 1997 BMW 540I HAS FAILED TWICE SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT. I SEE THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10045931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,500 milesWheaton, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
MY 1997 BMW 540I 6-SPEED HAD A RADIATOR FAILURE AT 77,500 MILES. THE PLASTIC RADIATOR CONNECTION POINT FOR THE TOP HOSE SNAPPED OFF. THIS APPEARS TO BE A WELL KNOW ISSUE AFTER SPEAKING WITH BMW SERVICE TECHS AND SEARCHING BMW INTERNET SITES.*AK I BELIEVE THAT THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10036982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,560 milesCincinnati, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
I OWN A 1997 BMW 540I. RADIATOR BROKE AT PLASTIC ATTACHMENT POINT. COOLANT LEAKED ALL OVER THE WINDSHIELD AND ENGINE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A WELL KNOWN DEFECT AMONG OWNERS OF THIS CAR DUE TO THE PLASTIC ATTACHMENT POINT AT THE JUNCTION OF THE HOSE AND THE RADIATOR. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10023565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,500 milesBlacksburg, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
MY 1997 BMW 540I6 RADIATOR BROKE ON ME WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY ON 5/30/03.
NHTSA complaint #10020942 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,500 milesReston, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
1997, BMW, 540I RADIATOR FAILURE @ 77,500 MILES (DETECTED BY BMW DEALER DURING ROUTINE SERVICE INSPECTION); RADIATOR REPLACED AT MY COST.
NHTSA complaint #10020931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 51,635 milesLemoyne, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
RADIATOR FAILURE ON BMW 540I WITH ONLY 51K MILES, CAUSING LOSS OF TRACTION AND ALMOST A WRECK
NHTSA complaint #10002684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,900 milesAlexandria, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
THE UPPER RADIATOR HOSE UNEXPECTLY SEPARATED FROM THE RADIATOR. INSPECTION SHOWED THAT THE PLASTIC RADIATOR HAD BROKEN AT THE HOSE FITTING. THE RESULTING STEAM CLOUD AND WATER DEPOSITS ON WINDSHIELD ABRUPTLY OBSCURED VISION, LEADING TO A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. NON-REINFORCED PLASTIC IS AN UNSAFE MATERIAL FOR USE IN THIS APPLICATION.
NHTSA complaint #10000880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marietta, GA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE COMPLETE LOSS OF COOLANT AT SPEED. DT
NHTSA complaint #770387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tallahassee, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
NO SUMMARY. DT
NHTSA complaint #770218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.