no report yet
12v/24v/48v battery: cables
Risk. THE CABLE INSULATION CAN BE WORN AWAY, EXPOSING THE WIRE.
1999 BMW 540iProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 22 owner complaints about the 1999 BMW 540i, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 1 safety recall.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 8, 2015. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1999 BMW 540i has problems
22 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
5Engine and engine cooling
4Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
3Steering
3Service brakes, hydraulic
3Power train
2Air bags
2Latches/locks/linkages
1Engine
1Service brakes
44 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 1 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 3 | 0 |
| Power train | 3 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 |
| 4 other systems | 4 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
1999 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.
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
1999 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.
MY SON WAS DRIVING HOME IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON CONNECTICUT AVE. IT WAS RAINING RATHER HARD AND VISIBILITY WAS LOW. MY SON ALL OF THE SUDDEN SMELLED SMOKE COMING THROUGH THE VENTS AND THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. IT WOULD NOT RESTART. HE HAD TO PUSH IT OFF THE ROAD INTO A SERVICE STATION DUE TO THE HIGH…
WITHOUT WARNING A CRACK APPEARED IN THE RADIATOR HOUSING CAUSING A LOSS OF ANTIFREEZE. CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. HAD TO REPLACE THE PART. SAME THING JUST HAPPENED AGAIN. *JB
(1) NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS; NOTICED "STEAM" COMING FROM UNDER HOOD. 2) RADIATOR'S UPPER HOSE INLET CRACKED (PLASTIC); CAR DISABLED (3) CAR OUT OF WARRANTY; NO REMEDY FROM MANUFACTURER. *AK
Own a 1999 540i?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.