2001 BMW 540I: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 15 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags.
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 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2001 BMW 540i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: (17V047000 (AIR BAGS) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2026
“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 service records for this VIN show that the "airbag control unit" was replaced 6/22/04. However, the open NHTSA recall campaign on this vehicle notes that the inflator may have been replaced previously but that the inflator that was replaced still needs to be inspected at this time as it may be faulty.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2017
“Possible takata inflator: at first the passenger airbag light came on occasionally and now the passenger airbag light is on all at the time.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“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 1997-2003 bmw 540i's. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2015
“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 expensive. I was lucky in that I replaced mine at 140,000 miles”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2014
“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 happening to my vehicle for the second time. Other owners report multiple instances as well. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2014
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2011
“3rd (high) tail light bulb and socket overheats and melts, rendering the light inoperable and possibly causing a fire hazard. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · May 2010
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2009
“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 transmission to go bad. I took the car to bmw to find out that I need to replace the transmission. (cost $5600) I have not fix the car in hope that I will find a solution for bmw to fix it. *nm”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A MICROPROCESSOR IN THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE, WHICH ACTIVATES THE FRONT AIR BAGS, THE SIDE AIR BAGS, THE FRONT SEAT SAFETY BELT PRETENSIONERS, AND THE BATTERY SAFETY TERMINAL, MAY HAVE A MALFUNCTION THAT COULD LEAD TO AN UNINTENDED ACTIVATION OF ONE OR MORE OF THESE COMPONENTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER10, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ENGINE AUXILIARY/COOLING FAN OPERATION, INCLUDING VARIABLE SPEED, IS ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED. FAILURE OF THE FAN MOTOR CAN CAUSE THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY OF THE FAN CONTROL UNIT TO OVERLOAD AND FAIL, CAUSING THE FAN TO STOP OPERATING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FAN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 28, 2001. THIS IS A SUPPLEMENT TO A RECALL THAT BEGAN DURING SEPTEMBER 2001 (SEE RECALL CAMPAIGN 01V206). OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ENGINE AUXILIARY/COOLING FAN OPERATION, INCLUDING VARIABLE SPEED, IS ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED. FAILURE OF THE FAN MOTOR CAN CAUSE THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY OF THE FAN CONTROL UNIT TO OVERLOAD AND FAIL, CAUSING THE FAN TO STOP OPERATING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FAN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 28, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2001 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 2001 BMW 540I reliable?
NHTSA has 15 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 BMW 540I. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Does the 2001 BMW 540I have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive. 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.