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U.S. public vehicle records

2002 Bmw 540I problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

12 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

98,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 12 complaints (41.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Steering behavior541.7%
Electrical and battery issues325.0%
Engine operation18.3%
Braking behavior18.3%
Fuel system concerns18.3%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Electrical System
5
Steering
5
Air Bags
2
Engine
2
Exterior Lighting
1
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
1
Unknown Or Other
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Electrical System5
Steering5
Air Bags2
Engine2
Exterior Lighting1
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly1
Unknown Or Other1

Electrical System: 5; Steering: 5; Air Bags: 2; Engine: 2; Exterior Lighting: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 1; Unknown Or Other: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
2
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
3
100,000 to 149,999
3
150,000 and above
2
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9992
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9993
100,000 to 149,9993
150,000 and above2

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 2

75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2002
1
2010
2
2012
2
2013
1
2015
3
2016
2
2018
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20021
20102
20122
20131
20153
20162
20181

2002: 1; 2010: 2; 2012: 2; 2013: 1; 2015: 3; 2016: 2; 2018: 1

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10349331 · 2010-08-14 (August 14, 2010)

1. EVENTS LEADING UP TO FAILURE: I DROVE THE CAR 5MIN AND PARKED FOR 30 MINUTE LUNCH. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR, THE POWER STEERING FAILED IMMEDIATELY AND I COULDN'T TURN THE WHEEL. 2. THE FAILURE, FREQUENCY, CONSEQUENCES: POWER STEERING PUMP MOUNTING BRACKETS FRACTURED NEAR THE BOLTS THAT RETAIN THE PART TO THE CHASSIS. THE PUMP SWUNG LOOSE, ALLOWING THE BELT TO JUMP. THE TENSIONER PULLEYS WERE DAMAGED. MY MECHANIC IS UNAWARE OF OTHER INCIDENCES, THOUGH I FOUND DOCUMENTED REPORTS OF THE SAME FAILURE WITH PHOTOS AT THIS SITE: HTTP://WWW.B…

Owner-reported narrative. 130,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10349331 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10478241 · 2012-10-02 (October 2, 2012)

I WAS DRIVING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC WHEN I NOTICED THE STEERING FELT A LITTLE STIFFER THAN USUAL. AFTER ABOUT 5 MILES AND BETTER FLOWING TRAFFIC I PULLED INTO A RESTAURANT FOR DINNER WHEN MY UPPER RADIATOR HOSE EXPLODED. I PULLED INTO A STALL AND OPENED THE HOOD TO INSPECT WHAT HAPPENED. THE HOSE WAS VERY APPARENT AND AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION I NOTICED THE POWER STEERING PUMPS PULLEY AT A VERY SHARP ANGLE COMPARED TO LINEAR WITH THE SERPENTINE BELT. I CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT FROM THE BRACKET ON THE PUMP BREAKING, IT CAUSED A CHAIN REACTION OF …

Owner-reported narrative. 76,854 miles reported. Look up ODI 10478241 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10318997 · 2010-03-11 (March 11, 2010)

APPARENT COMPUTER MALFUNCTION CAUSED WINDOWS TO FOG UP, CLOCK TO FAIL, DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS TO FAIL AND THE ENGINE TO REFUSE TO RESTART. ALSO, THE DASH DISPLAY AND BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ON EVEN WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED. DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY, WAITING ABOUT ONE HOUR, RECONNECTING THE BATTERY RESTORED NORMAL OPERATION. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 41,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10318997 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10453183 · 2012-03-27 (March 27, 2012)

MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF NO START. EVERY TIME THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A BMW SPECIALIST WHO OVER AND OVER AGAIN DIAGNOSED COMPLETELY DRAINED BATTERY, BUT CHARGING SYSTEM WAS OK. I HAVE JUST FOUND OUT THAT BMW HAS BEEN RECALLING 2003-2010 MODELS WITH THE EXACT SAME DEFECT. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 105,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10453183 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 8003946 · 2002-02-12 (February 12, 2002)

THERE IS A CONSTANT FUEL LEAK UNDER THE VEHICLE CAUSING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8003946 at NHTSA ↗