FaultScore

FaultScore report

2000 BMW 540I problems

Owners have filed 36 complaints about the 2000 BMW 540I with NHTSA between 2000 and 2024. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 13 worst.

D

FaultScore 68/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the BMW 540I.

How this is worked out

The numbers

36

Complaints

1

Crashes reported

3

Fires reported

3

Injuries reported

95,010 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

0%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

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.

Complaint volume 75 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 0 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 75
Against the median year of the BMW 540I. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
19.4% 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%.

How 2000 compares with every other BMW 540I

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2000 BMW 540I

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Engine & Cooling 10 27.8%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 68,000 mi

Airbags 8 22.2%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 43,000 mi

Electrical System 8 22.2%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 97,150 mi

Lights 3 8.3%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 101,510 mi

Other & Unspecified 2 5.6%

Median failure at 104,000 miles

Tires 1 2.8%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 1 2.8%
Fuel & Propulsion 1 2.8%
Brakes 1 2.8%

Median failure at 91,000 miles

Steering 1 2.8%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

25,000 – 49,999 miles 5 19.2%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 5 19.2%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 4 15.4%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 11 42.3%
150,000+ miles 1 3.8%

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 2000 peak 3 Oct 2024

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 99,021 miles Tucson, AZ Fire

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10552200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Franklin Lakes, NJ Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 540I. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN ROAD DEBRIS CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED BUT THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES FROM THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE IMPACT FROM THE DEBRIS WAS NOT SUFFICIENT TO WARRANT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA complaint #10392144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 109,000 miles DIX Hills, NY Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

ENGINE FIRE: ELECTRONIC THERMOSTAT WIRES OVERHEATED AND CAUSED WIRES AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS TO BURN. SMOKE ENTERED THE CABIN WHILE DRIVING AND VEHICLE PERFORMANCE HAS BEEN DEGRADED.

NHTSA complaint #10362407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 109,000 miles DIX Hills, NY Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ENGINE FIRE: ELECTRONIC THERMOSTAT WIRES OVERHEATED AND CAUSED WIRES AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS TO BURN. SMOKE ENTERED THE CABIN WHILE DRIVING AND VEHICLE PERFORMANCE HAS BEEN DEGRADED.

NHTSA complaint #10362407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Clifton, NC 1 injured

AIR BAGS

NOTE: CAR COULD BE DRIVEN AFTER AIRBAG WENT OFF. ENGINE TURNED OFF WHEN BAG RELEASED.

NHTSA complaint #742972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Closter, NJ 1 injured

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

CUP HOLDERS DO NOT HOLD CUPS. CUPS GO FLYING AND SPILL HOT COFFEE ON PASSENGERS OR DRIVER. THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR A BURN TO EITHER PERSON. BMW COULD CARE LESS.

NHTSA complaint #735959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Redmond, WA

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 with the manufacturer in California. They sent a new ibus box, hoping that would fix the problem but it did not.

NHTSA complaint #11618240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lebanon, OR

AIR 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.

NHTSA complaint #11539678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Walpole, MA

AIR 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.

NHTSA complaint #11530722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Lewes, DE

ENGINE

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 130,000.

NHTSA complaint #10569285 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 99,021 miles Tucson, AZ Fire

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10552200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 180,000 miles Elizabeth, NJ

ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #10519549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 104,000 miles Pittsburgh, PA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

NHTSA complaint #10488935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 104,000 miles Pittsburgh, PA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10488935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 104,000 miles Pittsburgh, PA

ELECTRICAL 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.

NHTSA complaint #10488935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Groton, CT

STEERING

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.

NHTSA complaint #10438144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Phoenix, AZ

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

LIKE 80% OF OWNERS OF BMW 540I, 740I, 740IL, X5 OWNERS FROM YEARS 1999-2003 SUFFER FROM FACTORY DEFECT VARIABLE VALVE TIMING UNITS OR AS BMW CALLS IT VANOS. THE PARTS ON THE INSIDE CAUSE TERRIBLE DIESEL TYPE NOISES. I'VE TALKED TO MANY CERTIFIED MECHANICS WHO HAVE TOLD ME IF AFFECTS HOW THE ENGINE RUNS AND PERFORMS.

NHTSA complaint #10432977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Franklin Lakes, NJ Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 540I. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN ROAD DEBRIS CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED BUT THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES FROM THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE IMPACT FROM THE DEBRIS WAS NOT SUFFICIENT TO WARRANT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA complaint #10392144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 141,000 miles NY, NY

AIR BAGS

BOUGHT A BMW WITH THE AIRBAG SIGN ON FROM A CAR DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA complaint #10383332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 111,000 miles OAK Brook, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 540I. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 1 MPH IN THE DRIVEWAY, THERE WAS A LOUD ROARING NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IMMEDIATELY, THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE RADIATOR FAN BLADES DETACHED, DENTED THE HOOD, WHICH CAUSED THE PAINT TO PEEL AND THEN FELL TO THE GROUND.. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF TOWING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 111,000.

NHTSA complaint #10366668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 109,000 miles DIX Hills, NY Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

ENGINE FIRE: ELECTRONIC THERMOSTAT WIRES OVERHEATED AND CAUSED WIRES AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS TO BURN. SMOKE ENTERED THE CABIN WHILE DRIVING AND VEHICLE PERFORMANCE HAS BEEN DEGRADED.

NHTSA complaint #10362407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 109,000 miles DIX Hills, NY Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ENGINE FIRE: ELECTRONIC THERMOSTAT WIRES OVERHEATED AND CAUSED WIRES AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS TO BURN. SMOKE ENTERED THE CABIN WHILE DRIVING AND VEHICLE PERFORMANCE HAS BEEN DEGRADED.

NHTSA complaint #10362407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 91,000 miles NEW Britain, CT

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 540I. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED, THE TRACTION DID NOT HOLD OR CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGE ALSO FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY WHEN THE ABS FAILED. THE BMW MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HIS WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

NHTSA complaint #10318153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 91,000 miles NEW Britain, CT

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 540I. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED, THE TRACTION DID NOT HOLD OR CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGE ALSO FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY WHEN THE ABS FAILED. THE BMW MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HIS WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

NHTSA complaint #10318153 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 36,206 miles LAS Crisis, NM

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 540I. SHE STATED THAT THE BATTERY CONTINUED TO FAIL ON THE VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED SEVERAL UNDISCLOSED ELECTRICAL FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NINE TIMES TO CORRECT THE FAULTY BATTERY ISSUE, TO NO AVAIL. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IDLE THE FRONTAL DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHICH CAUSED ALL OF THE WINDOWS TO SHATTER. NO ONE WAS IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE SINCE THE BATTERY WAS PURCHASED FROM A THIRD PARTY. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 36,206.

NHTSA complaint #10302396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 36,206 miles LAS Crisis, NM

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 540I. SHE STATED THAT THE BATTERY CONTINUED TO FAIL ON THE VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED SEVERAL UNDISCLOSED ELECTRICAL FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NINE TIMES TO CORRECT THE FAULTY BATTERY ISSUE, TO NO AVAIL. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IDLE THE FRONTAL DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHICH CAUSED ALL OF THE WINDOWS TO SHATTER. NO ONE WAS IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE SINCE THE BATTERY WAS PURCHASED FROM A THIRD PARTY. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 36,206.

NHTSA complaint #10302396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,000 miles Tyngseoro, MA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 540I. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 70 MPH, THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT IN THE VEHICLE FILLED WITH SMOKE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND CALLED THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THE INSURANCE COMPANY REFUSED TO PAY FOR ANY DAMAGE BECAUSE THERE WERE NO FLAMES. AN ANALYSIS WAS PERFORMED BY BMW. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 149,900. UPDATED 12/11/08. *LJ UPDATED 12/11/08

NHTSA complaint #10246860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 103,300 miles Canyon Country, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

I HAVE A 2000 BMW 540I (E39). MY CAR WAS IN A PRISTINE CONDITION, AND ALL OF SUDDEN, THE "ENGINE FAILSAFE PROG" MESSAGE CAME UP, AND THE CAR SHUTDOWN. I TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP, AND I WAS TOLD THE THERMOSTAT WAS BURNED BADLY, CAUSING THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS AND DME BURNED AS WELL. I BELIEVE THIS IS A BIG SAFETY CONCERN FOR THOSE THAT OWN THIS VEHICLE. I WAS QUOTED $3500 TO FIX THIS ISSUE, AND CURRENTLY IT'S BEING REPAIRED AT BMW SEATTLE.

NHTSA complaint #10223331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Potomac, MD

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

I WAS MOVING MY CAR IN ORDER TO PARK IT SOMEWHERE ELSE. THE CAR STARTED THEN COMPLETE FAILURE. THE CAR CUT OFF, NO POWER BRAKES, NO POWER STEERING. I HAD TO PRESS THE BRAKES VERY HARD TO GET STOPPAGE. THE THERMOSTAT SHORTED OUT AND BURNED OUT THE MAIN COMPUTER. THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE MAIN COMPUTER WAS REPLACED, THE WIRING HARNESS WAS BURNED OUT AND SEVERAL OTHER ELECTRONIC PARTS WERE REPLACED. THE ALUMINUM THERMOSTAT HOUSING WAS MELTED AND WAS REPLACED! TOTAL OF OVER $5,000 WAS REQUIRED TO FIX. IF A FUSE HAD BEEN THERE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A COUPLE OF HUNDRED DOLLARS AND IF THIS HAD BEEN ON THE ROAD AS SPEED IT COULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA complaint #10209879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 43,000 miles NEW York, NY

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH DRIVER'S AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10114924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 43,000 miles NEW York, NY

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH DRIVERS AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10114929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.