2000 BMW 540I engine problems

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.

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.

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.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

WHILE DRIVING COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM THE RADIATOR. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10073963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

RADIATOR FAILURE (BLOCKED).

NHTSA complaint #10046866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

RADIATOR FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10045940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

WATER PUMP FAILURE.THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT THAT INVOLVES A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF THE E39 540I BMW. THE FAILURE OF THE PUMP IS KNOWN TO HAPPEN BETWEEN 5000-60000 MILES AND CAN PUT THE DRIVER IN DANGER AND CAUSE UNNECESSARY EXPENSIVE REPAIRS TO BE INCURRED ON A CAR OF THIS CALIBER. THE WATER PUMP FAILURE IN MY CASE DESTROYED THE MAIN DRIVE BELT LEAVING ME WITH OUT POWER STEERING, BRAKES, ALTERNATOR ETC. E39 OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS EXPERIENCE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIRS AND COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FAULTY DESIGN AND PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE WATER PUMP AND COOLING SYSTEM.

NHTSA complaint #10043755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

BMW 2000 540I, V8, FAILURE (CRACKED, LOSS OF COOLANT) OF UPPER RADIATOR HOSE CONNECTOR. I HAD 3 1/2 YRS/45,000 MILES ON THE CAR. PLASTIC COMPONENT WIDELY KNOWN AMONG OWNERS TO BE PRONE TO FAILURE. THANKS TO THEIR ADVICE ON WARNING SIGNS, I WAS ABLE TO STOP UNDER CONTROL AND GET REPAIR WITHOUT MAJOR INCIDENT; OTHER UNSUSPECTING DRIVERS HAVE BEEN, AND WILL BE, LESS FORTUNATE. TO BMW'S CREDIT, THEY REPLACED MY RADIATOR UNDER WARRANTY. BUT THIS DOES NOT EXCUSE A KNOWN DESIGN DEFICIENCY.

NHTSA complaint #10030308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

RADIATOR FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10030301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.