RoadVitals

1995 BMW 540I

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
10
Latest May 9, 2017
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Aug 4, 1998
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 10 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1995 BMW 540I, most frequently naming the engine, interior & seats and transmission categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 2 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine428.6%
  • Interior & seats321.4%
  • Transmission214.3%
  • Electrical17.1%
  • Driver assistance17.1%
  • Steering17.1%
  • Suspension17.1%
  • Brakes17.1%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
98V178000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

Aug 4, 1998
340,000 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT, SUCH AS A THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, OR FAN BELT, CAN RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND SYSTEM PRESSURE. IF THE INDICATIONS OF A CRITICAL OVERHEATING CONDITION IS NOT NOTICED BY THE DRIVER, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT DAMAGE TO, OR FAILURE OF, A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT COULD OCCUR.
The risk: IF A CRACK WERE TO FORM OR A SEAM WERE TO SEPARATE IN THE HEATER CORE END PIECE, HOT COOLANT COULD SUDDENLY BE EXPELLED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov
97V131000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Aug 19, 1997
410,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE CABLES ARE ATTACHED TO THE SAME THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATING LEVER AT THE THROTTLE HOUSING. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHING ON EITHER CABLE COULD BREAK DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES COUPLED WITH VIBRATION. IF THE BUSHING BREAKS, THE OUTER CABLE HOUSING CAN SEPARATE FROM THE BUSHING. IN THIS CASE, DURING APPLICATION OF THE THROTTLE PEDAL WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL BEING ENGAGED, THE OUTER TUBE COULD CATCH ON THE EDGE OF THE BROKEN BUSHING.
The risk: THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE VALVE TO REMAIN PARTIALLY OPEN. IT HIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE CAR MIGHT NOT DECELERATE AS EXPECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING STEEL CLIP ON THE OUTER TUBE OF EACH CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE ADJUSTING SCREW AND PLASTIC BUSHING. THE CLIP IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE OUTER TUBE FROM DISLODGING FROM THE BUSHING.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 10
Driver assistance
Filed May 9, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BMW 540I. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SURGED WITH INCREASED ACCELERATION. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 97V131000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,774.

NHTSA ID
10984482
Incident
Apr 22, 2017
Mileage
66,774 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Oct 6, 2015

THE BILSTEIN SHOCK ABSORBERS I PURCHASED FOR MY CAR HAVE BEGUN TO COME APART WHICH ALLOWS THE STRUT TO MOVE WHEN AND WHERE IT SHOULDN'T THIS MAKING THE CAR EASY TO LOSE CONTROL OF. THE CAR PULLS AND DARTS WHILE MAINTAINING A STRAIGHT COURSE IN MOTION. IT'S WORSE WHEN STEERING SINCE THE BUSTED PART HAS BECOME A MOVABLE LINK RATHER THAN A FIXED LINK. THE SHOCKS ARE DEFECTIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE BILSTEIN PART NUMBER FOR THE SHOCK INSERT IS S4-P36 3019 HO

NHTSA ID
10780099
Incident
Oct 15, 2014
Mileage
149,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 27, 2012
Fire reported

ADDENDUM TO ODI ID NUMBER 10439751 THE FIRE WAS STARTED BECAUSE THE IHKRIII HVAC UNIT, WHICH CAN BE FOUND IN AN EXTREMELY LARGE NUMBER OF BMW MODELS, IN MY CAR WAS CONFIGURED INCORRECTLY BY THE MANUFACTURER, BMW. THE BLOWER MOTOR IS ON A ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT THAT USES A 30AMP FUSE RECOMMENDED BY BMW, WHICH IS LOCATED ON THE FUSE BOX COVER, TO REGULATE THE RATE THE BLOWER MOTOR CAN RECEIVE 12VOLTS. WHEN THE BLOWER MOTOR ITSELF REQUIRES 12VOLTS AT A RATE OF 12AMPS TO OPERATE NORMALLY. WHEN THE BLOWER MOTOR BEGINS TO FAIL, THE RESISTANCE IN THE CIRCUIT DROPS AND INCREASES THE RATE AT WHICH THE BLOWER MOTOR RECEIVES 12VOLTS, INCREASING THE AMPS (CURRENT) IN THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT, WHICH ALSO INCREASES THE WATTAGE THE BLOWER UNIT RECEIVES. AMPS X VOLTS = WATTS, THE UNIT NEEDS 12AMPS X 12VOLTS = 144WATTS TO OPERATE, BUT ENDS UP GETTING 30AMPS X 12VOLTS = 360WATTS. THAT IS 216WATTS MORE THAN THE BLOWER MOTOR SHOULD RECEIVE. WHICH IS WHY THE BLOWER MOTOR AND THE FINAL STAGE RESISTOR WHICH ARE BOTH ON THE SAME ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT HEAT UP TO EXTREMELY HIGH TEMPERATURES THAT CAN EASILY CAUSE 3RD DEGREE BURNS, AND ALLOWED THE COMPONENTS TO IGNITE THE TREE LEAVES AND PINE NEEDLES THAT WERE BEING FILTERED. EVERY UNIT THAT IS CONFIGURED IN THIS WAY IS A FIRE HAZARD, AND IS DANGEROUS TO EVERYONE BECAUSE THE FIRE CAN START ANYTIME THE BLOWER MOTOR IS USED, AND THERE IS NO WAY OF TELLING IT IS FAILING UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE AND THERE IS A FIRE INSIDE OF YOUR CAR. I'M DISGUSTED THAT BMW HAS ELECTRICAL SPECS FOR THE BLOWER MOTOR, AND FOR THE FUSE IN THE FUSE BOX FOR THE BLOWER MOTOR AND REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL OR ADMIT FAULT. BMW IS OK WITH LETTING PEOPLE DRIVE CARS THAT CAN CATCH FIRE AND PUT LIVES AT RISK BECAUSE IT IS HARD TO PROVE THE ORIGIN OF A FIRE AFTER THE ENTIRE CAR IS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND THE MODELS ARE OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAVE THE DOCUMENTATION TO PROVE THIS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10456676
Incident
Nov 19, 2011
Mileage
76,500 mi
BrakesInterior & seats
Filed Apr 21, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A SCREECHING SOUND COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THE SCREECHING OCCURRED WHETHER THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED OR NOT. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE ON FIVE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, AND DEALER REPLACED THE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS. HOWEVER, THE SCREECHING BRAKE PROBLEM WAS STILL EVIDENT. ALSO, CONSUMER BECAME LOCKED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT GET OUT DUE TO THE AUTOMATIC LOCKS MALFUNCTIONING.*AK

NHTSA ID
10068593
Incident
Jan 21, 2003
Mileage
84,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Mar 28, 2002
Crash reported1 injury reported

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE GEARSHIFT CAME OFF RESULTING A MULTI CAR ACCIDENT AND CAUSED MAJOR INJURIES. NLM

NHTSA ID
8006576
Engine
Filed Feb 15, 2002

A COOLANT FAILURE JUST LIKE MENTIONED RECALL # 98 V 178 000 COOLANT SYSTEM. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS. HAD PROBLEMS WITH PASSENGER'S SIDE LEAKING COOLANT/ VISIBILITY PROBLEM WITH WINDOW GETTING FOGGED, AND A STRONG ODOR INSIDE OF VEHICLE. DEALER TOOK CARE OF THE RECALL AFTER SOME CONFRONTATION WITH CONSUMER, BUT,,AFTERWARDS SIMILAR PROBLEMS REAPPEARED, AND DEALER WAS REFUSING TO REPAIR VEHICLE FOR THE SECOND TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8004134
Incident
Oct 1, 2000
Engine
Filed Jul 7, 2001

I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS AN EMISSIONS RECALL FOR MY 1995 BWM 540I. I CONTACTED BMWUSA TO CONFIRM THE DATA AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VECHICLE WAS LISTED AS A TOTAL LOST AND NOT COVERED. I REGISTERED THE CAR WITH BMWUSA WHEN I PURCHASED IT IN 1999 AND WAS NOT INFORMED THAT THE CAR WAS LISTED AS TOTALLED. WHAT AVENUES DO I TAKE TO GET THE CAR ACTIVATED AGAIN IN THE SYSTEM? THE CAR IS INSURED, BUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I HAVE AN ACCIDENT AND THE CAR IS ALREADY LISTED AS A TOTAL LOST? I PURCHASED THE VECHICLE IN 1999 UNAWARE THAT I WOULD ENCOUNTER PROBLEMS OF THIS NATURE. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH BMWUSA WOULD HAD INFORMED ME OF THIS PROBLEM WHEN I REGISTERED THE VECHICLE WITH THEM IN NOVEMBER, 1999.*AK

NHTSA ID
748039
Incident
Feb 27, 2001
EngineTransmission
Filed Feb 12, 2001

TRANSMISSION DROPPED OUT. I FOUND TWO EARLIER REPORTS TO BMW..BMW WILL NOT MAKE ALLOWANCES...ENGINE SHORT BLOCK REPLACED BY BMW AT 84,500 MILES UNDER 2ND OWNER. TRANS WOULD DOWN SHIFT CREATING A DRAG ON CAR...DEALER TOLD ME THAT WAS NORMAL../OTHER PA DEALER ON SECOND OWNER SAID THE SAME (NO PROBLEM - NORMAL). THE TRANS IS A SEALED UNIT...THERFORE NO CHANGE OF FLUID RECOMMENDED. IS THIS RIGHT??? IS THIS A SAFETY PROBLEM IN SLICK OR SNOWY/ICY WEATHER??

NHTSA ID
740808
Incident
Feb 4, 2001

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

B510819

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

B122917

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

SERVICE ACTION: PROGRAM DME: The incorrect dataset could be programmed into DME 5.2.1 control module.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

BMW 540I by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025100—
2024510—
2023500—
2022301—
2021851—
2020350—
2019111052.2
2018292055.4
2017201144.8
2003720—
2002122044.3
2001154056.6
2000312051.3
1999221036.1
1998261038.8
1997270038.2
1996000—
1995Viewing102050.2
1994840—
1993010—
1992010—
1991010—
1990010—
1989010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.