2001 BMW 540I
Only 15 complaints on file — too few 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.
Only 15 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
- Complaints
- 15
- Recalls
- 4
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- —
Too few to rank
Campaigns on file for 2001
None on file
Not enough data
Complaints per year
2001: 15 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1989 | 0 |
| 1990 | 0 |
| 1991 | 0 |
| 1992 | 0 |
| 1993 | 0 |
| 1994 | 8 |
| 1995 | 10 |
| 1997 | 27 |
| 1998 | 26 |
| 1999 | 22 |
| 2000 | 31 |
| 2001 | 15 |
| 2002 | 12 |
| 2003 | 7 |
| 2017 | 20 |
| 2018 | 31 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 1 |
Known problem areas
Only 15 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
Electrical system
6 of 15 total reports mention: electrical system, most commonly citing wiring and ignition.
Show complaint excerpts
The contact owns a 2001 BMW 540I. The contact stated that the dealer had previously performed an unknown air bag recall repair; however, the failure occurred a year after the recall repair was performed.
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-03-21
Also filed under Air bags
BMW 540I electrical problems / damage to internal heating and electrical equipment. They pose a hazard due to extreme temperature change in the car interior. The hot / and cold sensation leaves the driver feeling sick / nauseous.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-01-16
Vehicle fails to start. Towed to dealer. Unable to locate source of problem. Please provide further details.
NHTSA ODI report, 2002-01-22
Air bags
5 of 15 total reports mention: air bags, most commonly citing side/window.
Show complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-03-03
Possible Takata inflator: at first the passenger airbag light came on occasionally and now the passenger airbag light is on all at the time.
NHTSA ODI report, 2016-07-01
Consumer was traveling 60MPH on interstate and side/ top airbags exploded. After they exploded, warning lights came on and vehicle lost power. Dealer gave consumer a loaner car . Consumer's vehicle was being inspected.
NHTSA ODI report, 2001-03-28
Power train
3 of 15 total reports mention: power train, most commonly citing automatic transmission.
Show complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2005-12-08
Steering
2 of 15 total reports mention: steering.
Show complaint excerpts
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2015-05-05
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2014-02-14
Exterior lighting
1 of 15 total reports mentions: exterior lighting.
Safety timeline
4 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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R
2001-09-28Engine and engine cooling01V206000 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…
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…
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R
2003-11-10Air bags03V421000 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…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the air bag control module. Owner notification began November10, 2003. Owners should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.
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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.
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R
Date not on fileEngine and engine cooling02V138000 On certain passenger vehicles, the engine auxiliary/cooling fan operation, including variable speed, is electronically controlled.
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).
Buy-smart checklist
2001 BMW 540I — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Electrical system: 6 reports on file for this year.
- Air bags: 5 reports on file for this year.
- Power train: 3 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 02V138000 · Engine and engine cooling
- Recall 01V206000 · Engine and engine cooling
- Recall 03V421000 · Air bags
- Recall 19V015000 · Air bags
FAQ
- Is the 2001 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 2001 BMW 540I?
- The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 40% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2001 BMW 540I have?
- 4 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.