1999 BMW 540IA
2 recalls, 11 complaints - 11 TSBs
99V005000 Jan 4, 1999
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Defect Description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 5HP24 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. PREMATURE WEAR OF THE RING GEAR CAN OCCUR, LEADING TO THE LOSS OF 1ST, 2ND, 3RD, AND REVERSE GEARS.
Consequence
IF THIS PROBLEM OCCURS, THE CAR MAY NO LONGER OPERATE IN REVERSE, 1ST, 2ND, OR 3RD GEARS.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
99V004000 Jan 4, 1999
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
Defect Description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE THICKNESS OF THE MAIN POSITIVE ELECTRICAL CABLE (GENERATOR TO STARTER) INSULATION IS LESS THAN SPECIFIED, MAKING IT SUSCEPTIBLE TO BEING ABRADED OR CUT BY THE CLIP THAT SECURES THE CABLE TO THE GENERATOR.
Consequence
THE CABLE INSULATION CAN BE WORN AWAY, EXPOSING THE WIRE. THE WIRE COULD CONTACT THE CLIP OR A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD OCCUR.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL APPLY A THICKNESS OF INSULATING TAPE TO THE CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE CLIP, AND INSTALL A REVISED CLIP.
Complaint Statistics
11 total complaints
2 fires
Top Reported Components
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY | 4 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN | 1 |
POWER TRAIN
Sep 20, 2009
Incident date: Mar 14, 2009
I HAVE A 1999 540I AND THE REVERSE HAS STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. THE FORWARD GEARS WORK PERFECTLY BUT THE REVERSE SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. I HAVE READ MANY SIMILAR STORIES. *TR
EQUIPMENT
Dec 21, 2008
Incident date: Dec 19, 2008
MY 1999 BMW 540I SPORT CAUGHT FIRE 12/19/08 WHILE IT WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY OF MY HOME. I NOTICED FLAMES ABOUT 1:30 AM COMING FROM THE SIDES OF THE HOOD. I HAD DRIVEN THE CAR TO DINNER THAT NIGHT AND IT WAS PARKED AND LOCKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. I JUST HAPPENED TO NOTICE THE FLAMES THROUGH THE W... Read more
Fire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Dec 21, 2008
Incident date: Dec 19, 2008
MY 1999 BMW 540I SPORT CAUGHT FIRE 12/19/08 WHILE IT WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY OF MY HOME. I NOTICED FLAMES ABOUT 1:30 AM COMING FROM THE SIDES OF THE HOOD. I HAD DRIVEN THE CAR TO DINNER THAT NIGHT AND IT WAS PARKED AND LOCKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. I JUST HAPPENED TO NOTICE THE FLAMES THROUGH THE W... Read more
Fire
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Apr 13, 2007
Incident date: Apr 1, 2005
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 540IA WITH FAILURE MILEAGE OF 100,000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH HE BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEARS BEGAN TO FUNCTION IMPROPERLY, AND COULD NOT BE OPERATED IN 1ST THROUGH REVERSE GEARS. THE ... Read more
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Jan 15, 2006
Incident date: Mar 10, 2005
I HAD TROUBLES WITH MY ABS MODULE UNIT THAT IS ATTACHED TO MY BMW 1999 540IA. I HAVE BECOME AWARE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT DISABLES THE ABS CONTROL OF MY CAR AND MANY OTHER SAME MODEL CARS AS MINE. I HAD TO REPLACE THE PART MYSELF DUE TO NO RECALL OR ACCEPTANCE FROM BMW THAT THIS IS A ... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
Jul 12, 2005
Incident date: Jul 10, 2005
RADIATOR CRACKED AT TOP HOSE INLET CAUSING LOSS OF COOLANT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
Jan 6, 2005
Incident date: Jan 3, 2005
1) CHECK COOLANT LEVEL WARNING LIGHT CAME ON TWICE IN 1 WEEK. KUNI BMW CONDUCTED MY FACTORY INSPECTION II SERVICE ONLY 2 MONTHS BEFORE THIS OCCURED. ) RADIATOR CRACKED WHERE THE UPPER HOSE ENTERS THE RADIATOR, LEAKING FLUID INTO THE ENGINE BAY AND GROUND. 3) REPLACE THE RADIATOR. THIS IS A WELL KN... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
Dec 9, 2004
Incident date: Dec 8, 2004
RADIATOR FAILED ON MY 1999 BMW 540 AT 54,700 MILES. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SAFETY PROBLEM THAT BMW NEEDS TO ADDRESS. THIS SAFETY PROBLEM: - DISABLES THE VEHICLE NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE FROM RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WHERE THE PANIC COULD ENDANGER OTHER DRIVERS, TO THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE IN THE DEAD OF WIN... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
Nov 26, 2004
Incident date: Nov 24, 2004
CRACK IN RADIATOR - NEEDS REPLACEMENT. *AK
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Apr 10, 2004
Incident date: Apr 8, 2004
HEADLAMP INTERNAL ADJUSTING RODS (BRITTLE PLASTIC MATERIAL) FAIL PREMATURELY CAUSING HEADLAMP BEAN TO DEFLECT AND LAMP BEAMS TO SHUDDER OR WIGGLE. THIS TENDS TO REDUCE THE FIELD OF VISION FOR DRIVERS AND TO BLIND ONCOMING MOTORISTS.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
Nov 5, 2002
Incident date: Oct 28, 2002
NO SUMMARY. DT
Technical Service Bulletins, 1999 BMW 540IA
11 manufacturer communications from 6 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.
Most Affected Components
| Component | Bulletins |
|---|---|
| 140000 AIR BAGS | 5 |
| 110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 |
| 103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| 350000 EQUIPMENT | 1 |
| 140100 AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE | 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.
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
240300
Mar 1, 2000
103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
EXPERIENCING AN OCCASIONAL HARD 3-2 DOWNSHIFT OR CLUNK WHEN SLOWING ON VEHICLES WITH M62TU PRODUCED 9/98 - 5/99. *TT
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.