2001 BMW 540IA

3 recalls — 8 complaints

03V421000 Oct 24, 2003
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
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 TERMINAL, MAY HAVE A MALFUNCTION THAT COULD LEAD TO AN UNINTENDED ACTIVATION OF ONE OR MORE OF THESE COMPONENTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER10, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
23,000 vehicles affected
02V138000 May 16, 2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ENGINE AUXILIARY/COOLING FAN OPERATION, INCLUDING VARIABLE SPEED, IS ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED. FAILURE OF THE FAN MOTOR CAN CAUSE THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY OF THE FAN CONTROL UNIT TO OVERLOAD AND FAIL, CAUSING THE FAN TO STOP OPERATING.
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). OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
1,550 vehicles affected
01V206000 Jun 21, 2001
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
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 CIRCUITRY OF THE FAN CONTROL UNIT TO OVERLOAD AND FAIL, CAUSING THE FAN TO STOP OPERATING.
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 REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
76,469 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS May 16, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 540IA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V047000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN JANUARY OF 2017. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAG INFLATOR WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED IN 2006 AND DID NOT REQUIRE ANOTHER REPLACEMENT. AFTER READING THE SUMMARY FOR THE RECALL THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT IF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED DUE TO A CRASH OR AS A RECALL REMEDY, THE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG INFLATOR MAY ALSO EXPERIENCE A FAILURE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED A SECOND TIME. THE CONTACT THEN NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR A SECOND REPLACEMENT INFLATOR ALTHOUGH THE VIN ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE INDICATED THE RECALL WAS OUTSTANDING. THERE WAS NO FAILURE MILEAGE.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Oct 30, 2009
TRANSMISSION FROM WORKING PERFECT ONE DAY. AND BOOM THE NEXT MORNING PUT IT IN REVERSE AND IT ROLLS BACK AND REVS AS IF IT IS IN NEUTRAL. *TR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING Sep 19, 2005
I HAVE A 2001 BMW 540IA [XXX] AND ALL THE EXTERNAL LIGHTS ARE GRADUALLY FAILING. IN ALL CASES THE LIGHTS BULBS ARE OK. FIRST THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TURN SIGNAL LIGHT FAILED, THEN THE DRIVERS SIDE DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHT, THEN THE PASSENGER SIDE REVERSING LIGHT, THEN THE PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT, THEN DRIVERS SIDE HIGH BEAM, THEN THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT TURN LIGHT ETC. FAILURES WERE OVER APPROXIMATELY A 2 WEEK PERIOD. THE MOST DISTURBING THING IS THE ONBOARD COMPUTER IS SHOWING ALL THE EXTERNAL LIGHTS WORKING CORRECTLY. MY BMW MECHANIC TELLS ME THE FAULT IS IN THE ONBOARD LIGHT CONTROL MODULE (LCM). I CONSIDER A FAILURE OF THIS NATURE TO BE COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE IN A 4 YEAR OLD VEHICLE AND A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO BMW NA, SO FAR THEY ARE NOT INTERESTED IN INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEM. *NM UPDATED 07/18/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY Feb 6, 2005
RADIATOR CRACKED, DISABLING CAR ON HIGHWAY. ALSO CAUSED XENON LAMP FAILURE. REPLACED BY DEALER UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN DEFECT ON BMW E-39 SERIES CARS. *JB
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY Dec 7, 2004
WATER PUMP FAILURE. COOLANT LEAKING FROM SHAFT. RADIATOR FAILURE, DRIVERS SIDE TOP RADIATOR NIPPLE INLET CRACKED. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM Dec 7, 2004
WATER PUMP FAILURE. COOLANT LEAKING FROM SHAFT. RADIATOR FAILURE, DRIVERS SIDE TOP RADIATOR NIPPLE INLET CRACKED. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY Nov 28, 2004
2001 BMW 540I AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION; APPROXIMATELY 57,000 MILES; RADIATOR CRACKED SPONTANEOUSLY UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS; SIGNIFICANT STEAM RESULTING IN OBSCURRED VIEW OF THE ROADWAY AND OTHER VEHICLES; CAR TAKEN TO LOCAL REPAIR CENTER; AWAITING COST ESTIMATE AND FULL DAMAGE REPORT. *AK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR Apr 24, 2001
SEAT BELTS ON PASSENGER'S AND DRIVER'S SIDES ARE ABLE TO CUT INTO CONSUMER'S NECK. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS SUPPOSE TO FIX PROBLEM ON DAY OF PURCHASE. *AK