BMW 540IA vs Volkswagen Golf R
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 540IA | Volkswagen Golf R |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints on file | 48 | 120 |
| Model years covered | 1997–2002 | 2012–2026 |
| Worst model year | — | 2017 |
| Best model year | — | 2024 |
| Crashes reported | 3 | 3 |
| Fires reported | 9 | 0 |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 4 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 |
| Most complained-about part | Engine & Cooling | Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance |
| Share of complaints involving harm | 25% | 5.8% |
BMW 540IA by year
What breaks
Engine & Cooling
30
62.5%
Transmission & Drivetrain
6
12.5%
Electrical System
2
4.2%
Airbags
2
4.2%
Brakes
1
2.1%
Body & Structure
1
2.1%
Suspension
1
2.1%
Lights
1
2.1%
Volkswagen Golf R by year
What breaks
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance
22
18.3%
Electrical System
15
12.5%
Brakes
15
12.5%
Engine & Cooling
11
9.2%
Transmission & Drivetrain
11
9.2%
Other & Unspecified
11
9.2%
Fuel & Propulsion
8
6.7%
Steering
4
3.3%