2000 BMW 540ia recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
Recalls: check by VIN
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2000 BMW 540ia owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (5), Transmission / drivetrain (2), Body / structure (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
06/20/2009 · Body / structure
AFTER A COUPLE TIMES USING MY CUP HOLDERS IN MY 2000 BMW 540 I THEY BROKE. THEY ARE MADE OF CHEAP PLASTIC AND ARE VERY POORLY DESIGNED. I HAVE CHECKED OUT OTHER MODELS UP TO THE 2007 YEAR AND BMW HAS FAILED TO COME OUT WITH A QUALITY CUP HOLDER. EVEN A BETTER REPLACEMENT WOULD BE HELPFUL! IT NOW COSTS ME $150.00 JUST IN PARTS TO REPLACE THEM EACH TIME THE…
10/25/2008 · Transmission / drivetrain
REVERSE GEAR STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY AND WITH NO SYMPTOMS. *TR
12/19/2007 · Engine · fire
WHILE DRIVING IN MASSACHUSETTS ON 495N AT ABOUT 5:30PM I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. CHECKED MY GAUGES AND ALL SEEMED WELL, THOUGHT IT MAY BE A WOOD BURNING STOVE IN THE AREA I JUST KEPT DRIVING. I TURNED OFF RT495 AND ONTO RT 119. ABOUT A MILE DOWN RT119 I NOTICED A LOT OF SMOKE BUILDING UP INSIDE THE CAR, I THEN REALIZED MY CAR WAS ON FIRE AND BEFORE I CA…
08/14/2007 · Transmission / drivetrain
AFTER APPROXIMATELY 75,000 MILES ON MY BMW 540I, THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE. THE DEALER SAYS IT HAS INTERNAL SLIPPAGE/DAMAGE AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED WITH A REMANUFACUTED ONE. I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH BMW - SEE HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/BMW_TRANS.HTML FOR TESTIMONY OF LOTS OF OTHER BMW OWNERS WHO LO…
11/08/2005 · Engine
FAILURE: ENGINE COOLING FAN CLUTCH SEIZED AND THE FAN TURNED AT WATER PUMP RPM. THE FAN FLEW APART, FLINGING ALL BLADES OFF THE FAN HUB. THIS OCCURRED WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR HOME ON A 25 MPH STREET IN THE EVENING WITH OUR TWO SMALL CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT. CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE: EXPLODING FAN CHOPPED THROUGH THE RADIATOR, COOLANT TANK, BOT…
09/08/2004 · Engine
RADIATOR FAILURE IN 2000 BMW 540I AT 57,000 MILES.*AK
10/27/2003 · Engine
AT 71888 MILES THE RADIATOR OF MY BMW 540I BROKE BECAUSE OF A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC HOUSING AROUND THE OUTLET.I HAD READ ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON THE ROADFLY MESSAGE BOARD. I READ THAT THE RADITORS BROKE AROUND THE HOSE AND THEY ONLY LASTED ABOUT 50,000 MILES. WHEN I READ IT, I WONDERED IF I WAS DUE, ABOUT A MONTH LATER, I WAS SETTING AT A STOP LIGHT AND WHEN…
02/03/2003 · Engine
COMMON RADIATOR FAILURES. ALL AT USUALLY BELOW 50K MILES.