2000 BMW 540I: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 31 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (27% of complaints); the 2001 and 2002 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 2019
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Car had sat for about a week since I had driven it. I opened the driver door, inserted the key, and turned the key to the starting position. It failed to crank after the dash lights lit up and then the driver steering wheel airbag deployed in my face. The car was on flat ground and the temperature was not extremely hot or extremely cold. The previous several times I had driven the car there was no indication of an SRS light and the car started perfectly every time.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2023
“I needed to move the car after it was sitting for about 3 weeks. It would not start due to the battery was run down. As soon as I started charging the battery, the front passenger airbag exploded causing extensive damage to the dashboard and windshield. Thank god my wife was not sitting in the car. I have not contacted anyone about this. It happened a few hours ago. It is about 93 degrees with very high humidity. I am sending this report because someone could have been killed.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2023
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 bmw 540i. The contact stated that the brake lights remained illuminated, causing them to overheat and melt the casing. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician advised that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 00v048000 (exterior lighting). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 99,021.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Oct 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 bmw 540i. The contact stated that after shifting into reverse, the engine seized without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis where it was advised that the vehicle experienced a hydro-lock failure. The vehicle was not repaired and manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2013
“Wiring harness in loom at connection between body and trunk lid is showing cracked wires which can lead to a variety of symptoms when wires short. Trunk will only open manually with key. Key fob remote and inside vehicle trunk release do not work. Trunk cannot be opened when doors are unlocked using trunk handle. Other symptoms include many false dashboard warning indicators ranging from low coolant, trunk lid not closed, etc. Wiring short could be fire hazard. Many example cases can be found here http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=397245. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2012
“Lucky I was stopped when this occurred. My engine made a terrible noise and cut out. I went to restart my engine and noticed that all my indicator lights were on. I went to drive and my power steering was completely shot. Come to find out that my power steering pump broke with no real warning. If I had been at a high speed this could have lead to a serious injury. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2011
“Like 80% of owners of bmw 540i, 740i, 740il, x5 owners from years 1999-2003 suffer from factory defect variable valve timing units or as bmw calls it vanos. The parts on the inside cause terrible diesel type noises. I've talked to many certified mechanics who have told me if affects how the engine runs and performs. *tt”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 bmw 540i. The contact was driving approximately 60 mph when road debris crashed into the front driver side door and the front driver side air bag deployed. The vehicle was pulled over and shut off. A police report was not filed but the contact sustained minor injuries from the air bag deployment. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop where the contact was told that the impact from the debris was not sufficient to warrant air bag deployment. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileage was 120,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 2000 bmw 540i. While the contact was driving approximately 1 mph in the driveway, there was a loud roaring noise outside of the vehicle. Immediately, the engine was turned off. The radiator fan blades detached, dented the hood, which caused the paint to peel and then fell to the ground.. The failure mileage was 111,000. The contact was in the process of towing the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2010
“Engine fire: electronic thermostat wires overheated and caused wires and electrical connectors to burn. Smoke entered the cabin while driving and vehicle performance has been degraded. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2010
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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 SAV 4.4i, and X5 SAV 4.6is vehicles. This recall affects certain vehicles where the original steering wheel has been replaced with the optional sports steering wheel. The sports steering wheel has a frontal air bag inflator that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle for an optional sports steering wheel with an affected inflator. Dealers will replace the air bag module as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE LAMPS IN THESE VEHICLES ARE CONTROLLED BY A SWITCH ACTIVATED BY THE MOVEMENT OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS SWITCH COULD FAIL INTERNALLY, CAUSING IT TO REMAIN EITHER IN THE "BRAKE LAMPS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LAMPS ON" POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LAMP SWITCH WITH AN IMPROVED SWITCH.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2000 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact 540I by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2000 BMW 540I reliable?
NHTSA has 31 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2000 BMW 540I. The most complained-about area is electrical system (27% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2000 BMW 540I problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 91,000 miles or less.
Does the 2000 BMW 540I have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.