Menu

1997 BMW 540iProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 27 owner complaints about the 1997 BMW 540i, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

54
CarFlaw IndexSolid year13% below the 540i median · #3 of 11 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints273 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage73kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 5, 2019. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 BMW 540i has problems

27 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 cooling130
Electrical system31
Suspension20
Seat belts20
Vehicle speed control20
Visibility10
Power train10
Seats10
Service brakes, hydraulic11
2 other systems20

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

0 recalls

1997 BMW 540i recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

1997 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.

I EXCHANGED THE LAMBDA SENSOR OF MY CAR A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. SUDDENLY MY MILEAGE WENT DOWN AND I STARTED AN ERROR SEARCH. SINCE I WAS DOING A COUPLE OF OTHER THINGS ON THE CAR I DIDN'T COME UP WITH THE SENSORS UP FRONT. UPDATED 11/16/10 *BF UPDATED 03/23/11 *BF SO WHEN IT CAME TO THEM I…
Complaint 10362195 · Oct 25, 2010
1997 BMW 540I FUSE TO THE FUEL INJECTOR BLEW OUT.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *MR THE VEHICLE WOULD ALL OF A SUDDEN DIE WHEN IN MOTION DUE TO THE BLOWN FUSE(S) TO THE INJECTOR. THE THERMOSTAT TEMPERATURE SENSOR HAD AN INTERNAL SHORT WHICH CAUSED THE WIRE TO MELT AND BLEW THE FUSE. THE SUNROOF WAS…
Complaint 10130203 · Jul 13, 2005 · 53,777 miles
THE RADIATOR NECK BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON MY 1997 540I. IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH BMW BY ALL ACCOUNTS, OWNERS, TECHNICIANS AND EVEN MY OWN PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED IT WITH AN 1988 735I. PLASTIC PARTS ON THE RADIATOR IS UNACCEPTABLE, DANGEROUS AND COSTLY. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM…
Complaint 10116922 · Apr 14, 2005 · 127,075 miles

Own a 1997 540i?

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