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1994 BMW 540iProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 8 owner complaints about the 1994 BMW 540i, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints80 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage85kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 12, 2006. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1994 BMW 540i has problems

8 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling40
Power train40
Seats20
Interior lighting10
Vehicle speed control10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

4 recalls

1994 BMW 540i recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system

Recall 98V-178 · Aug 4, 1998 · 340,000 vehicles

Risk. IF A CRACK WERE TO FORM OR A SEAM WERE TO SEPARATE IN THE HEATER CORE END PIECE, HOT COOLANT COULD SUDDENLY BE EXPELLED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Brake lights: switch

Recall 96V-111 · Jul 1, 1996 · 180,000 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS EITHER WILL NOT OPERATE OR WILL BE CONTINUOUSLY ON, REGARDLESS OF BRAKE PEDAL POSITION.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Visibility: power window devices and controls

Recall 94V-017 · Jan 27, 1994 · 1,400 vehicles

Risk. CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THIS COULD ALLOW WINDOWS OR SUNROOFS TO BE CLOSED ON AN ARM OR NECK OF AN INDIVIDUAL WHEN THE REMOTE DEVICE OPERATOR IS NOT…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with BMW.

Best & worst years

1994 vs. every other 540i year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 540i median. How we score

'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What 540i owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THERE IS A HESITATION BEFORE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS IN. HESITATION TIME IS INCREASING. ALSO, WHEN STEPPING ON PEDAL FOR AGGRESSIVE ACCELERATION OR PASSING, VEHICLE HESITATES, THEN "CLUNKS" VIOLENTLY INTO GEAR. MECHANICS HAVE STATED THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT THEY SEE…
Complaint 10155238 · Apr 12, 2006 · 82,000 miles
TO WHOM IT MIGHT CONCERN. MY BMW 540I WAS DIAGNOSED FOR COMPRESSION LOSS BY THE LOCAL BMW AUTHORIZED DEALER. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THE CAUSE IS EXTENDED SULFUR CONTENT USED IN THE US GASOLINE. THE SULFUR CAUSES A CHEMICAL REACTION WITH THE USED ENGINE BLOCK ALLOY (NIKASIL) AND ERODES…
Complaint 10000531 · Jan 5, 2003 · 87,000 miles
THIS IS THE SECOND ENGINE FOR THIS CAR, THE FIRST WAS REPLACED AT 38,228MI... THIS ENGINE WAS REPLACED WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE ENGINE THAT WAS ORIGINALLY IN THE CAR, NOT THE NEWER BLOCKS... THIS WILL BE THE THIRD ENGINE IN 142,00MI AND I AM GETTING NO HELP HERE... VERY DISAPPOINTING... I WANT…
Complaint 764778 · Jul 26, 2002

Own a 1994 540i?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.