MYRModel Year Report

2000 BMW 540I

○ Not enough data
2000 BMW 540I
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:32:29.094Z

Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
31
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 2000

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

26% of complaints

Complaints per year

1994: 8 complaints 1994 1995: 10 complaints 1997: 27 complaints 1998: 26 complaints 1999: 22 complaints 2000: 31 complaints 2000 31 2001: 15 complaints 2002: 12 complaints 2003: 7 complaints 2017: 20 complaints 2017 2018: 31 complaints 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 3 complaints 2020 2021: 9 complaints 2022: 5 complaints 2023: 6 complaints 2023 2024: 5 complaints 2025: 1 complaint
1994: 8 complaints 1994 1995: 10 complaints 1997: 27 complaints 1997 1998: 26 complaints 1999: 22 complaints 2000: 31 complaints 2000 31 2001: 15 complaints 2002: 12 complaints 2003: 7 complaints 2003 2017: 20 complaints 2018: 31 complaints 2018 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 3 complaints 2020 2021: 9 complaints 2022: 5 complaints 2022 2023: 6 complaints 2024: 5 complaints 2024 2025: 1 complaint
1994: 8 complaints 1994 1995: 10 complaints 1995 1997: 27 complaints 1997 1998: 26 complaints 1998 1999: 22 complaints 1999 2000: 31 complaints 2000 31 2001: 15 complaints 2001 2002: 12 complaints 2002 2003: 7 complaints 2003 2017: 20 complaints 2017 2018: 31 complaints 2018 2019: 12 complaints 2019 2020: 3 complaints 2020 2021: 9 complaints 2021 2022: 5 complaints 2022 2023: 6 complaints 2023 2024: 5 complaints 2024 2025: 1 complaint 2025

2000: 31 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19890
19900
19910
19920
19930
19948
199510
199727
199826
199922
200031
200115
200212
20037
201720
201831
201912
20203
20219
20225
20236
20245
20251

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine and engine cooling

26% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing radiator assembly and cooling system.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2010-10-26

Also filed under Electrical system

Air bags

26% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2011-03-18

Note: car could be driven after airbag went off. Engine turned off when bag released.

NHTSA ODI report, 2001-04-03

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-08-20

Electrical system

26% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing front underhood and module.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-12-16

Exterior lighting

10% · 3 reports
FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-11-14

The audio suddenly stops and my turn signals also stop working. When this happens when I'm in traffic, this is very frightening because I cannot signal lane changes or turns.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-10-05

Engine

6% · 2 reports

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2000-05-15Exterior lighting00V048000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the existing brake lamp switch with an improved switch.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2019-03-14Air bags19V015000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2000 BMW 540I — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 8 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 8 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 8 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 00V048000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 19V015000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 2000 BMW 540I reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 BMW 540I?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2000 BMW 540I have?
2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.