Problem Breakdown

Compare to Other Years

Active Recalls (1)

19V015000 Jan 14, 2019 AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000-2003 525i Sedan, 530i Sedan, 540i Sedan, 2001-2003 525i Sports Wagon and 540i Sports Wagon vehicles, and 2000-2004 X5 SAV 3.0i, X5 ...

Complaints

Showing 20 of 34
Mar 21, 2023 Air Bags 105,000 mi

The contact owns a 2001 BMW 540I. The contact stated that the dealer had previously performed an unknown air bag recall repair; however, the failure occurred a year after the recall repair was performed. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off, an explosion was heard. The...

Mar 21, 2023 Electrical System 105,000 mi

The contact owns a 2001 BMW 540I. The contact stated that the dealer had previously performed an unknown air bag recall repair; however, the failure occurred a year after the recall repair was performed. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off, an explosion was heard. The...

Mar 21, 2023 Air Bags 105,000 mi

The contact owns a 2001 BMW 540I. The contact stated that the dealer had previously performed an unknown air bag recall repair; however, the failure occurred a year after the recall repair was performed. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off, an explosion was heard. The...

Mar 21, 2023 Electrical System 105,000 mi

The contact owns a 2001 BMW 540I. The contact stated that the dealer had previously performed an unknown air bag recall repair; however, the failure occurred a year after the recall repair was performed. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off, an explosion was heard. The...

Jan 14, 2020 Engine Crash 145,000 mi

M62 V-8 ENGINES USED IN THE E-39 540 AND E-38 740 ARE NOTORIOUS FOR FAULTY TIMING CHAIN GUIDES. AT AROUND 125,000 THE PLASTIC CAN DISINTEGRATE CAUSING THE CHAIN TO SKIP A TOOTH. ONCE A TOOTH IS SKIPPED THE VALVES ARE CRUSHED AND THE ENGINE IS DESTROYED. THE COST TO REPLACE THE GUIDES IS EXTREMELY E...

Jan 14, 2020 Engine Crash 145,000 mi

M62 V-8 ENGINES USED IN THE E-39 540 AND E-38 740 ARE NOTORIOUS FOR FAULTY TIMING CHAIN GUIDES. AT AROUND 125,000 THE PLASTIC CAN DISINTEGRATE CAUSING THE CHAIN TO SKIP A TOOTH. ONCE A TOOTH IS SKIPPED THE VALVES ARE CRUSHED AND THE ENGINE IS DESTROYED. THE COST TO REPLACE THE GUIDES IS EXTREMELY E...

May 21, 2017 Air Bags 156,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL: BOTH THE MANUFACTURER (BMW NORTH AMERICA) AND THE LOCAL DEALER (UNITED BMW OF ROSWELL, GA) ARE REFUSING TO PERFORM THE INSPECTION OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE REFERENCED VEHICLE, PER NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 17V-047. DEALER CLAIMS THAT NO INSPECTION IS REQUIRED SINCE MANUFACTURE'S ...

May 21, 2017 Air Bags 156,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL: BOTH THE MANUFACTURER (BMW NORTH AMERICA) AND THE LOCAL DEALER (UNITED BMW OF ROSWELL, GA) ARE REFUSING TO PERFORM THE INSPECTION OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE REFERENCED VEHICLE, PER NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 17V-047. DEALER CLAIMS THAT NO INSPECTION IS REQUIRED SINCE MANUFACTURE'S ...

Jul 1, 2016 Air Bags 75,000 mi

POSSIBLE TAKATA INFLATOR: AT FIRST THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON OCCASIONALLY AND NOW THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON ALL AT THE TIME.

Jul 1, 2016 Air Bags 75,000 mi

POSSIBLE TAKATA INFLATOR: AT FIRST THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON OCCASIONALLY AND NOW THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON ALL AT THE TIME.

May 5, 2015 Steering 130,000 mi

THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE POWER STEERING PUMP ON MY 2001 BMW 540I SNAPPED ON THE TOP AND BOTTOM PIECES OF THE BRACKET RESULTING IN MY BELTS AND PULLEYS TO BE THROWN AND DESTROYED. THE REPAIR IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND TIME CONSUMING. THIS IS BECOMING A MORE AND MORE COMMON PROBLEM ON THE E39 STYLE 1997-...

May 5, 2015 Steering 130,000 mi

THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE POWER STEERING PUMP ON MY 2001 BMW 540I SNAPPED ON THE TOP AND BOTTOM PIECES OF THE BRACKET RESULTING IN MY BELTS AND PULLEYS TO BE THROWN AND DESTROYED. THE REPAIR IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND TIME CONSUMING. THIS IS BECOMING A MORE AND MORE COMMON PROBLEM ON THE E39 STYLE 1997-...

Feb 14, 2014 Steering 89,000 mi

POWER STEERING BRACKETS ON THESE CARS BREAK. HAPPENED TO ME AND THREW A BELT DURING A TURN. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD AS YOU HAVE NO POWER STEERING WHEN THE BRACKET BREAKS AND THE BELT IS THROWN. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE IF YOU SEARCH ON BMW FORUMS AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY BMW! THIS IS HAPPENI...

Feb 14, 2014 Steering 89,000 mi

POWER STEERING BRACKETS ON THESE CARS BREAK. HAPPENED TO ME AND THREW A BELT DURING A TURN. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD AS YOU HAVE NO POWER STEERING WHEN THE BRACKET BREAKS AND THE BELT IS THROWN. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE IF YOU SEARCH ON BMW FORUMS AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY BMW! THIS IS HAPPENI...

Feb 10, 2011 Power Train 73,263 mi

2001 BMW 540I REVERSE GEAR FAILURE ON ZF 5HP24 (A5S 440Z) TRANSMISSION. MY BMW WILL NO LONGER ENGAGE REVERSE, CAR FEELS LIKE IT IS STILL IN NEUTRAL.

Feb 10, 2011 Power Train 73,263 mi

2001 BMW 540I REVERSE GEAR FAILURE ON ZF 5HP24 (A5S 440Z) TRANSMISSION. MY BMW WILL NO LONGER ENGAGE REVERSE, CAR FEELS LIKE IT IS STILL IN NEUTRAL.

May 21, 2010 Electrical System 98,000 mi

3RD (HIGH) TAIL LIGHT BULB AND SOCKET OVERHEATS AND MELTS, RENDERING THE LIGHT INOPERABLE AND POSSIBLY CAUSING A FIRE HAZARD. *TR

May 21, 2010 Exterior Lighting 98,000 mi

3RD (HIGH) TAIL LIGHT BULB AND SOCKET OVERHEATS AND MELTS, RENDERING THE LIGHT INOPERABLE AND POSSIBLY CAUSING A FIRE HAZARD. *TR

May 21, 2010 Electrical System 98,000 mi

3RD (HIGH) TAIL LIGHT BULB AND SOCKET OVERHEATS AND MELTS, RENDERING THE LIGHT INOPERABLE AND POSSIBLY CAUSING A FIRE HAZARD. *TR

May 21, 2010 Exterior Lighting 98,000 mi

3RD (HIGH) TAIL LIGHT BULB AND SOCKET OVERHEATS AND MELTS, RENDERING THE LIGHT INOPERABLE AND POSSIBLY CAUSING A FIRE HAZARD. *TR

Mar 19, 2009 Electrical System

ELECTRICAL SHORT IN FAULTY THERMOSTAT CAUSED ALL WIRING TO MELT AND LEAD TO A DAMAGE OF MAIN COMPUTER. *TR

Mar 19, 2009 Electrical System

ELECTRICAL SHORT IN FAULTY THERMOSTAT CAUSED ALL WIRING TO MELT AND LEAD TO A DAMAGE OF MAIN COMPUTER. *TR

Feb 5, 2009 Power Train 84,000 mi

ON MY 2001 BMW 540I WITH 84000 MILES WHEN THE CAR IS PUT INTO REVERSE IT WILL NOT REVERSE JUST FILLS LIKE IT IS IN NEUTRAL. *TR

Feb 5, 2009 Power Train 84,000 mi

ON MY 2001 BMW 540I WITH 84000 MILES WHEN THE CAR IS PUT INTO REVERSE IT WILL NOT REVERSE JUST FILLS LIKE IT IS IN NEUTRAL. *TR

Dec 8, 2005 Power Train 70,000 mi

I OWN A 2001 BMW 540I. I WILL PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, THE CAR WILL MOVE REALLY SLOW, AS I GIVE IT A LITTLE GAS TO GO, THE CAR WILL ONLY REV UP THEN JUMP INTO GEAR. THIS WILL CAUSE A VERY STRONG JERK TO THE CAR. THE CAR ONLY HAS 70,000 MILES, I FEEL THAT IT IS MUCH TOO SOON FOR A $65,000 CAR TRANSMISSI...

Dec 8, 2005 Power Train 70,000 mi

I OWN A 2001 BMW 540I. I WILL PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, THE CAR WILL MOVE REALLY SLOW, AS I GIVE IT A LITTLE GAS TO GO, THE CAR WILL ONLY REV UP THEN JUMP INTO GEAR. THIS WILL CAUSE A VERY STRONG JERK TO THE CAR. THE CAR ONLY HAS 70,000 MILES, I FEEL THAT IT IS MUCH TOO SOON FOR A $65,000 CAR TRANSMISSI...

Jan 16, 2003 Electrical System 127 mi

BMW 540I ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS / DAMAGE TO INTERNAL HEATING AND ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT. THEY POSE A HAZARD DUE TO EXTREME TEMPERATURE CHANGE IN THE CAR INTERIOR. THE HOT / AND COLD SENSATION LEAVES THE DRIVER FEELING SICK / NAUSEOUS.

Jan 16, 2003 Electrical System 127 mi

BMW 540I ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS / DAMAGE TO INTERNAL HEATING AND ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT. THEY POSE A HAZARD DUE TO EXTREME TEMPERATURE CHANGE IN THE CAR INTERIOR. THE HOT / AND COLD SENSATION LEAVES THE DRIVER FEELING SICK / NAUSEOUS.

Jan 16, 2003 Electrical System 127 mi

BMW 540I ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS / DAMAGE TO INTERNAL HEATING AND ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT. THEY POSE A HAZARD DUE TO EXTREME TEMPERATURE CHANGE IN THE CAR INTERIOR. THE HOT / AND COLD SENSATION LEAVES THE DRIVER FEELING SICK / NAUSEOUS.

Jan 16, 2003 Electrical System 127 mi

BMW 540I ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS / DAMAGE TO INTERNAL HEATING AND ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT. THEY POSE A HAZARD DUE TO EXTREME TEMPERATURE CHANGE IN THE CAR INTERIOR. THE HOT / AND COLD SENSATION LEAVES THE DRIVER FEELING SICK / NAUSEOUS.

Jan 22, 2002 Electrical System

VEHICLE FAILS TO START. TOWED TO DEALER. UNABLE TO LOCATE SOURCE OF PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Jan 22, 2002 Electrical System

VEHICLE FAILS TO START. TOWED TO DEALER. UNABLE TO LOCATE SOURCE OF PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Mar 28, 2001 Air Bags

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 60MPH ON INTERSTATE AND SIDE/ TOP AIRBAGS EXPLODED. AFTER THEY EXPLODED, WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND VEHICLE LOST POWER. DEALER GAVE CONSUMER A LOANER CAR . CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED.*AK

Mar 28, 2001 Air Bags

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 60MPH ON INTERSTATE AND SIDE/ TOP AIRBAGS EXPLODED. AFTER THEY EXPLODED, WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND VEHICLE LOST POWER. DEALER GAVE CONSUMER A LOANER CAR . CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED.*AK