NHTSA lists 31 complaints for the 2000 BMW 540I, 1 of them mention a crash and 2 mention a fire. 3 complaints mention an injury, with 3 injuries and 0 deaths reported.
Data build 2026-10-08.
NHTSA lists this vehicle as BMW 540I.
At a glance
Complaints
31
With crash
1
With fire
2
With injury (complaints)
3
Injuries
3
Deaths
0
Recalls
2
Do not drive recalls
1
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
157,549
Investigations
0
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
13
Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.
Where the complaints are
Top systems
System
Complaints
Share of this vehicle's complaints
AIR BAGS
8
25.8%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
8
25.8%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
8
25.8%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
3
9.7%
ENGINE
2
6.5%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2
6.5%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1
3.2%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1
3.2%
STEERING
1
3.2%
TIRES
1
3.2%
Top subsystems
System
Subsystem
Complaints
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
COOLING SYSTEM
8
AIR BAGS
FRONTAL
3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
12V/24V/48V BATTERY
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IGNITION
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WIRING
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
STORAGE
1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
1
TIRES
TREAD/BELT
1
VISIBILITY
WINDSHIELD
1
One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.
Model-generated complaint tags: This model year has not been tagged.
Defect: 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 (excerpt)
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. (excerpt)
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. (excerpt)
Defect: 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.
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LAMPS EITHER WILL NOT OPERATE OR WILL BE CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED, REGARDLESS OF BRAKE PEDAL POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LAMP SWITCH WITH AN IMPROVED SWITCH.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Investigations
0 investigations; 0 open.
Manufacturer communications
13 manufacturer communications.
Communications by system
System
Count
AIR BAGS
5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3
EQUIPMENT
3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1
STEERING
1
VISIBILITY
1
10249437
Date: 2024-01-16. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY.
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
10247567
Date: 2023-12-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE.
Engine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel module (TFE) whendiagnosing with ISTA. The following two fault codes will be stored in the DME: 032B43 - Low fuel pressure system, electric fuel pump: pressure value too low CDA594 - Message (- 0x33E) missing, rec
10245422
Date: 2023-11-22. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT.
Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicleA A?A A A A s equipment and settings, no acoustic or optical confirmation (folding the mirrors/blinking confirmation) is noticeable. Additionally, the red anti-theft alarm L
10160244
Date: 2019-04-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: AIR BAGS.
TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.
10160287
Date: 2019-04-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: AIR BAGS.
TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.
10153726
Date: 2019-01-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: AIR BAGS.
TAKATA CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT. CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM. FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG MODULES.
10152674
Date: 2018-11-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.
Radio / Navigation / Head Unit Identification Guide
10149557
Date: 2018-10-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
For the above-referenced vehicles with driver?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?) will provide a Customer Support Program as outlined in the Takata Settlement Customer Support Program Overview attachment. This ?component-specific? customer support program applies only if the
10154816
Date: 2018-02-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: AIR BAGS.
In an effort to improve the completion rate on Takata air bag recall affected vehicles; BMW NA has expanded the BMW Ultimate Rewards platform to include a new Recall Support page. This page will allow IRFs to check their customers VINs for open Takata recalls; and get rewarded for helping us with co
10135028
Date: 2017-12-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.
SERVICE ACTION: PROGRAM DME: The incorrect dataset could be programmed into DME 5.2.1 control module.
Notes on this record
Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.