1994 BMW 540I
4 recalls, 12 complaints - 2 TSBs
98V178000 Aug 4, 1998
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
Defect Description
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 T... Read more
Consequence
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.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.
97V131000 Aug 19, 1997
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Defect Description
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 SEP... Read more
Consequence
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.
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.
96V111000 Jul 1, 1996
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Defect Description
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAN FAIL ALLOWING THE SWITCH TO REMAIN IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS ON" POSITION.
Consequence
IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS EITHER WILL NOT OPERATE OR WILL BE CONTINUOUSLY ON, REGARDLESS OF BRAKE PEDAL POSITION. FOLLOWING DRIVERS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS STOPPING, INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED SWITCH.
94V017000 Jan 27, 1994
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
Defect Description
THE REMOTE ACTIVATION DEVICE CAN CLOSE WINDOWS AND SUNROOF FROM A DISTANCE GREATER THAN THE MAXIMUM (6 METERS) PERMITTED BY FMVSS NO.118, "POWER OPERATED WINDOW SYSTEMS."
Consequence
CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THIS COULD ALLOW WINDOWS OR SUNROOFS TO BE CLOSED ON AN ARM OR NECK OF AN INDIVIDUAL WHEN THE REMOTE DEVICE OPERATOR IS NOT WITHIN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY.
Remedy
REPLACE THE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR WHICH HAS THE ACTIVATION RECEIVER WITH ONE WHOSE RECEIVER WILL CONTROL THE DOOR LOCKING AND THEFT ALARM, BUT WILL NOT PERMIT REMOTE OPERATION OF THE WINDOWS AND SUNROOF.
Complaint Statistics
12 total complaints
Top Reported Components
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 4 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 2 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST | 1 |
| INTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 |
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Apr 12, 2006
Incident date: Jul 1, 2002
WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THERE IS A HESITATION BEFORE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS IN. HESITATION TIME IS INCREASING. ALSO, WHEN STEPPING ON PEDAL FOR AGGRESSIVE ACCELERATION OR PASSING, VEHICLE HESITATES, THEN "CLUNKS" VIOLENTLY INTO GEAR. MECHANICS HAVE STATED THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT THEY SEE W... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Apr 12, 2006
Incident date: Jul 1, 2002
WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THERE IS A HESITATION BEFORE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS IN. HESITATION TIME IS INCREASING. ALSO, WHEN STEPPING ON PEDAL FOR AGGRESSIVE ACCELERATION OR PASSING, VEHICLE HESITATES, THEN "CLUNKS" VIOLENTLY INTO GEAR. MECHANICS HAVE STATED THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT THEY SEE W... Read more
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
Apr 12, 2006
Incident date: Jul 1, 2002
WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THERE IS A HESITATION BEFORE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS IN. HESITATION TIME IS INCREASING. ALSO, WHEN STEPPING ON PEDAL FOR AGGRESSIVE ACCELERATION OR PASSING, VEHICLE HESITATES, THEN "CLUNKS" VIOLENTLY INTO GEAR. MECHANICS HAVE STATED THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT THEY SEE W... Read more
INTERIOR LIGHTING
Apr 12, 2006
Incident date: Jul 1, 2002
WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THERE IS A HESITATION BEFORE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS IN. HESITATION TIME IS INCREASING. ALSO, WHEN STEPPING ON PEDAL FOR AGGRESSIVE ACCELERATION OR PASSING, VEHICLE HESITATES, THEN "CLUNKS" VIOLENTLY INTO GEAR. MECHANICS HAVE STATED THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT THEY SEE W... Read more
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Sep 9, 2003
Incident date: Sep 8, 2003
I BOUGHT A BMW 540I IN 1996 USED AT 45,000 MILES FROM A DEALERSHIP. WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE TRANSMISSION WOULD BE DELAYED TEMPORARILY BEFORE ENGAGING. NOW I WAS NOT INFORM THE OF THE TECHNICAL BULLETIN AND DUE TO POOR TRANSMISSION FLUID, NOW AT 90,000 MILES THIS CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE , S... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Jan 5, 2003
Incident date: Dec 30, 2002
TO WHOM IT MIGHT CONCERN. MY BMW 540I WAS DIAGNOSED FOR COMPRESSION LOSS BY THE LOCAL BMW AUTHORIZED DEALER. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THE CAUSE IS EXTENDED SULFUR CONTENT USED IN THE US GASOLINE. THE SULFUR CAUSES A CHEMICAL REACTION WITH THE USED ENGINE BLOCK ALLOY (NIKASIL) AND ERODES PREMATU... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
Jul 31, 2002
Incident date: May 26, 2002
THIS IS THE SECOND ENGINE FOR THIS CAR, THE FIRST WAS REPLACED AT 38,228MI ... THIS ENGINE WAS REPLACED WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE ENGINE THAT WAS ORIGINALLY IN THE CAR, NOT THE NEWER BLOCKS ... THIS WILL BE THE THIRD ENGINE IN 142,00MI AND I AM GETTING NO HELP HERE ... VERY DISAPPOINTING ... I WANT SA... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Jun 20, 2001
Incident date: Jun 6, 2001
BMW WITH M60B30 AND M60B40 V'8 FROM 93-95 ENGINES HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO SUFFER DAMAGE TO THE CYLINDER BORES FROM EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF SULPHER IN US FUELS. THE BLOCKS WERE MADE OF NIKASIL. THE PROBLEM REPRESENTS ITSELF AS AN EXCESSIVELY HIGH IDLE WHICH MY CAR HAS. BMW INITIATED AN ENGINE WARRANTY, CO... Read more
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
May 29, 2001
Incident date: Nov 1, 2000
AT 85,000 MILES WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE TRANSMISSION WOULD BE DELAYED TEMPORARILY BEFORE ENGAGING. DEALER NOTIFIED MANUFACTURER, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ITS WARRANTY, AND NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. *AK CONSUMER STATES TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED BECAUSE MANUFACTURERE... Read more
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Apr 26, 2000
SPEED SENSOR FAILED, CAUSING FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION, CANNOT CHANGE GEARS.PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Apr 26, 2000
SPEED SENSOR FAILED, CAUSING FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION, CANNOT CHANGE GEARS.PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
Feb 8, 2000
Incident date: Jan 8, 2000
DRIVERS SEAT "ROCKS". IF IN AN ACCIDENT I FEAR THE SEAT WILL DETATCH AND DRIVER WILL DIE. NEW SEAT RAILS WILL FIX BUT BMW WILL NOT PAY.*AK
EPA Fuel Economy, 1994 BMW 540I
| Trim / Engine | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG | Fuel Type | Annual Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd (Rear-Wheel Drive) | 15.0 | 21.0 | 17.0 | Premium | $4,450 |
CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Compact Cars)
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.
Technical Service Bulletins, 1994 BMW 540I
2 manufacturer communications from 1 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.
Most Affected Components
| Component | Bulletins |
|---|---|
| 110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| 133000 VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | 1 |
B510819
Jan 16, 2024
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
B510819
Jan 16, 2024
133000 VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
BMW 540I - All Years Overview
Complete safety history for the BMW 540I across all model years (1989, 2024).
41
Total Recalls
346
Total Complaints
0
Investigations
11
Reported Crashes
8
Reported Fires
0
Reported Deaths
BMW 540I - Year by Year
Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 1 | View |
| 2024 | 1 | 10 | View |
| 2023 | 1 | 7 | View |
| 2022 | 1 | 9 | View |
| 2021 | 6 | 13 | View |
| 2020 | 5 | 3 | View |
| 2019 | 1 | 14 | View |
| 2018 | 2 | 61 | View |
| 2017 | 1 | 33 | View |
| 2003 | 2 | 9 | View |
| 2002 | 2 | 17 | View |
| 2001 | 4 | 18 | View |
| 2000 | 2 | 36 | View |
| 1999 | 1 | 29 | View |
| 1998 | 1 | 28 | View |
| 1997 | 0 | 31 | View |
| 1995 | 2 | 15 | View |
| 1994 (current) | 4 | 12 | |
| 1993 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 1992 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 1991 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 1990 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 1989 | 1 | 0 | View |