MYRModel Year Report

2000 BMW 540I

○ Not enough data
2000 BMW 540I
RENDERED 2026-08-02T13:42:40.547Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, BMW 540I Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2000 highlighted. 1989: 0 complaints 1989 1990: 0 complaints 1991: 0 complaints 1992: 0 complaints 1992 1993: 0 complaints 1994: 8 complaints 1995: 10 complaints 1995 1997: 27 complaints 1998: 26 complaints 1999: 22 complaints 1999 2000: 31 complaints 2000 2001: 15 complaints 2002: 12 complaints 2002 2003: 7 complaints 2017: 20 complaints 2018: 29 complaints 2018 2019: 11 complaints 2020: 3 complaints 2021: 7 complaints 2021 2022: 3 complaints 2023: 5 complaints 2024: 5 complaints 2024 2025: 1 complaints 2025
2000: 31 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19890
19900
19910
19920
19930
19948
199510
199727
199826
199922
200031
200115
200212
20037
201720
201829
201911
20203
20217
20223
20235
20245
20251

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 16%

16% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 5 distinct reports on file.

AIR BAGS 16%

16% of complaints: air bags — 5 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
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, 20110318

NOTE: CAR COULD BE DRIVEN AFTER AIRBAG WENT OFF. ENGINE TURNED OFF WHEN BAG RELEASED.*AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20010403

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, 20230820

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%

13% of complaints: electrical system — 4 distinct reports on file.

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. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20101026

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, 20121216

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 10%

10% of complaints: exterior lighting — 3 distinct reports on file.

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, 20131114

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, 20241005

AIR BAGS 10%

10% of complaints: air bags — 3 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20000515 — exterior lighting

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 T

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LAMP SWITCH WITH AN IMPROVED SWITCH.

Campaign 00V048000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190314 — air bags

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.

Campaign 19V015000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2000 BMW 540I — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (5 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (5 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (4 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 00V048000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V015000 (air bags) has been completed.
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:cooling system:radiator assembly, accounting for 16% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2000 BMW 540I have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.