1998 BMW 540IA

1 recalls, 3 complaints - 12 TSBs

98V142000 Jun 22, 1998
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
Defect Description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DIFFERENTIAL PINION SHAFT WITHIN THE DIFFERENTIAL CASE ASSEMBLY WAS PRODUCED WITHOUT THE APPROPRIATE SURFACE HARDENING. THIS CAN RESULT IN THE SHAFT EXPERIENCING PREMATURE WEAR.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION WILL CAUSE A NOISE FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL AND, ULTIMATELY, FAILURE OF THE SHAFT AND LOSS OF DRIVE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENTIRE DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY.
1,100 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

Complaint Statistics

3 total complaints

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY2
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH Dec 25, 2004
Incident date: Nov 9, 2004
THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLES OF MY CAR (1998 BMW MODEL 540IA) ARE CONSTRUCTED OF LOW GRADE / FRAGILE PLASTIC MATERIAL WHICH BREAKS DURING NORMAL USAGE. WITHOUT A HANDLE IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. AN EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS SITUATION RESULTS WHEN THIS HANDLE HAS BROKEN BECAUSE IN CASE OF AN A... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY Sep 8, 2004
Incident date: Jul 20, 2004
VARIOUS PROBLEMS INVOLVING 1998 BMW 540IA WHICH WAS BROUGHT USED. *MR BMW HAD BEEN IMPORTING VEHICLES FOR SALE, FITTED WITH A RADIATOR THAT HAD PLASTIC ENDS AS WELL AS SUPPLY AND RETURN UNDER APPROXIMATELY 21 P.S.I. THESE RADIATORS SUDDENLY RUPTURED UNDER LOAD WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING THE DRIVERS... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY Feb 2, 2003
Incident date: Feb 1, 2003
RADIATOR FAILURE. *JB

Technical Service Bulletins, 1998 BMW 540IA

12 manufacturer communications from 7 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

ComponentBulletins
140000 AIR BAGS5
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
353400 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.1
350000 EQUIPMENT1
140100 AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE1
133000 VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS1
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.
B013118 Apr 1, 2019
140000 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.
B013118 Apr 1, 2019
140000 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.
B011618 Jan 1, 2019
140000 AIR BAGS
TAKATA CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT. CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM. FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG MODULES.
B011618 Jan 1, 2019
140100 AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE
TAKATA CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT. CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM. FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG MODULES.
B650916 Nov 1, 2018
350000 EQUIPMENT
Radio / Navigation / Head Unit Identification Guide
B011618 Oct 1, 2018
110000 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 ?comp
B011618 Oct 1, 2018
140000 AIR BAGS
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 ?comp
B080119 Feb 1, 2018
140000 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
121999 Jun 1, 1999
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
INFORMATION ON PROGRAMMING ME7.2 ENGINE CONTROL MODULES WITH CD 18. *TT
651998 Feb 1, 1999
353400 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
SUBJECT PERTAINING TO DSP AMPLIFIER SWITCHING TO

BMW 540IA - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the BMW 540IA across all model years (1989, 2002).

14 Total Recalls
48 Total Complaints
0 Investigations
3 Reported Crashes
9 Reported Fires
0 Reported Deaths

BMW 540IA - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
2002 1 3 View
2001 3 8 View
2000 0 8 View
1999 2 11 View
1998 (current) 1 3
1997 0 15 View
1995 1 0 View
1994 1 0 View
1993 1 0 View
1992 1 0 View
1991 1 0 View
1990 1 0 View
1989 1 0 View

Other BMW Models

Model Recalls Complaints
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X6 110 293 View
328I 108 3,743 View
M3 95 550 View
325I 83 1,809 View
Z4 83 1,439 View