2002 Bmw 540IA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
2 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
99,917 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 2 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 50.0% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Seats | 1 |
Electrical System: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Seats: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 0 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
2008: 1; 2012: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10235236 · 2008-07-21 (July 21, 2008)
ON 7/19/2008, MY 2002 BMW 540I WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CAUGHT FIRE WHILE MYSELF AND MY WIFE DRIVING TOWARD AN EVENING PARTY. AT FIRST I SMELL SOMETHING IS BURNING THEN SEE A TINY BIT OF SMOKE. I PARKED THE CAR IN A BANK OF AMERICA PARKING LOT AND MY WIFE WENT OUT TO CHECK THE CAR, AND SHE SAW FIRE STARTED TO BURST. WE CALL 911 AND WITHIN FIVE MINUTES, THE FRONT END OF THE CAR IS IN FLAME. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME THE PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE CAR IS NOW BEEN TOW TO A LOCAL SHOP AND WILL BE MOVED TO THE "TOTAL LOT" OF MY INSURANCE C…
Owner-reported narrative. 109,834 miles reported. Look up ODI 10235236 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10472344 · 2012-08-24 (August 24, 2012)
I WENT OUT TO MY BMW 540I AND FOUND THE DRIVER'S POWER SEAT ALL THE WAY BACK IN THE HORIZONTAL POSITION. I DID NOT LEAVE IT THIS WAY, SO THIS WAS CONFUSING TO ME. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO MOVE IT BACK UPRIGHT INTO A COMFORTABLE DRIVING POSITION, IT DID NOT RESPOND- THE SEAT WAS DEAD. I COULD NOT MOVE IT MANUALLY, EITHER. I WAS FORCED TO DRIVE THE CAR A SHORT DISTANCE TO DROP MY SON OFF AT AN ACTIVITY, SO I DECIDED TO DRIVE IT AND LEAN FORWARD WHILE DRIVING. MY PLAN WAS TO TAKE THE CAR TO MY LOCAL BMW MECHANIC LATER THAT NIGHT AND DROP IT OFF TO…
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10472344 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
01V352000 · Tires:Sidewall
Reported: 2001-11-26 (November 26, 2001)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: DURING THE TIRE MOUNTING PROCESS ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH STANDARD (NON-SPORT) SUSPENSION AND EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL CONTITOURINGCONTACT CH95 ECOPLUS TIRES, SIZE 225/65R16 95H, HAVING DOT CODES 4001, 4101, OR 4201, THE OUTER SIDEWALL SURFACE OF THE TIRES MAY HAVE BEEN CUT BY A SHARP EDGE. OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME COULD LEAD TO A REDUCTION OF INFLATION PRESSURE.
Consequence: CONTINUED DRIVING WITH LOW INFLATION PRESSURE IN THE TIRE COULD ULTIMATELY RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE TIRE, AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND CONTROL, AND COULD IN SOME CASES RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT ALL FIVE TIRES FOR A POSSIBLE CUT IN THE SIDEWALL, AND IF A CUT IS FOUND, THE TIRE WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 10, 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗