2000 Bmw 540I: complaints, problems and recalls

BRIDGESTONE TIRE EQUIPMENT UNRAVELED ON VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION. *MR WHILE DRIVING DOWN EXPRESSWAY, THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD BANG, AND FOUND THAT THE INSIDE OF TIRE HAD GONE BALD AND PART OF THREAD HAD COME LOOSE. *SCC *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022548 at NHTSA ↗

RADIATOR FAILURE. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10030301 at NHTSA ↗

BMW 2000 540I, V8, FAILURE (CRACKED, LOSS OF COOLANT) OF UPPER RADIATOR HOSE CONNECTOR. I HAD 3 1/2 YRS/45,000 MILES ON THE CAR. PLASTIC COMPONENT WIDELY KNOWN AMONG OWNERS TO BE PRONE TO FAILURE. THANKS TO THEIR ADVICE ON WARNING SIGNS, I WAS ABLE TO STOP UNDER CONTROL AND GET REPAIR WITHOUT MAJOR INCIDENT; OTHER UNSUSPECTING DRIVERS HAVE BEEN, AND WILL BE, LESS FORTUNATE. TO BMW'S CREDIT, THEY REPLACED MY RADIATOR UNDER WARRANTY. BUT THIS DOES NOT EXCUSE A KNOWN DESIGN DEFICIENCY.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10030308 at NHTSA ↗

WATER PUMP FAILURE.THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT THAT INVOLVES A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF THE E39 540I BMW. THE FAILURE OF THE PUMP IS KNOWN TO HAPPEN BETWEEN 5000-60000 MILES AND CAN PUT THE DRIVER IN DANGER AND CAUSE UNNECESSARY EXPENSIVE REPAIRS TO BE INCURRED ON A CAR OF THIS CALIBER. THE WATER PUMP FAILURE IN MY CASE DESTROYED THE MAIN DRIVE BELT LEAVING ME WITH OUT POWER STEERING, BRAKES, ALTERNATOR ETC. E39 OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS EXPERIENCE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIRS AND COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FAULTY DESIGN AND PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH…

Owner-reported narrative. 58,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10043755 at NHTSA ↗

RADIATOR FAILURE. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 57,135 miles reported. Look up ODI 10045940 at NHTSA ↗

RADIATOR FAILURE (BLOCKED). *LA

Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10046866 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE DRIVING COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM THE RADIATOR. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10073963 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH DRIVER'S AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 43,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10114924 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2000-02-17 (February 17, 2000)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE LAMPS IN THESE VEHICLES ARE CONTROLLED BY A SWITCH ACTIVATED BY THE MOVEMENT OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS SWITCH COULD FAIL INTERNALLY, CAUSING IT TO REMAIN EITHER IN THE "BRAKE LAMPS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LAMPS ON" POSITION.

Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LAMPS EITHER WILL NOT OPERATE OR WILL BE CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED, REGARDLESS OF BRAKE PEDAL POSITION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LAMP SWITCH WITH AN IMPROVED SWITCH.

Reported: 2019-01-14 (January 14, 2019)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000-2003 525i Sedan, 530i Sedan, 540i Sedan, 2001-2003 525i Sports Wagon and 540i Sports Wagon vehicles, and 2000-2004 X5 SAV 3.0i, X5 SAV 4.4i, and X5 SAV 4.6is vehicles. This recall affects certain vehicles where the original steering wheel has been replaced with the optional sports steering wheel. The sports steering wheel has a frontal air bag inflator that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle for an optional sports steering wheel with an affected inflator. Dealers will replace the air bag module as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.