BMW 540I vs Lexus ES
Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.
Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.
| Measure | BMW 540I | Lexus ES |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints on file | 347 | 863 |
| Model years covered | 1994–2025 | 1996–2025 |
| Worst model year | 2018 | 2005 |
| Best model year | 1994 | 2022 |
| Crashes reported | 26 | 155 |
| Fires reported | 7 | 26 |
| Injuries reported | 14 | 87 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 |
| Most complained-about part | Engine & Cooling | Airbags |
| Share of complaints involving harm | 13.5% | 31.1% |
BMW 540I by year
What breaks
Engine & Cooling
70
20.2%
Airbags
49
14.1%
Electrical System
42
12.1%
Transmission & Drivetrain
26
7.5%
Brakes
21
6.1%
Seats
19
5.5%
Seat Belts
18
5.2%
Steering
17
4.9%
Lexus ES by year
What breaks
Airbags
228
26.4%
Other & Unspecified
91
10.5%
Body & Structure
74
8.6%
Transmission & Drivetrain
58
6.7%
Electrical System
58
6.7%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
55
6.4%
Engine & Cooling
54
6.3%
Brakes
49
5.7%