1997 BMW 540I problems
Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 BMW 540I. Cooling system is the most reported problem area, at 32% of complaints. After that come electrical system (10%) and engine (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 31 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Cooling system 32% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 1 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 75,000 miles 21 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 0 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 0 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 8 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 6 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 1 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 1 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 3 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 21 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 75,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 2 complaints mention a fire; 1 injury reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1997 ranks 5th most-complained-about out of 6 model years of the BMW 540I with enough data (9 complaints in that window).
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
While driving at 55 MPH engine compartment caught on fire. Insurance investigators claimed fire was due to brake fluid being expelled from ABS system and iginiting exhaust manifold.
Driver uses remote key to lock auto from distance away sealing passenger in car: outside temp. 114 degrees. Car design has no escape device from inside inside
While driving on the freeway, the electronic coolant thermostat shorted out and caused engine wiring harness the burn up. This caused the enigine to stop running. Luckily, burning was restricted to wires and no other components were burnt. Car is still waiting for a new wiring harness at the BMW dealer ($2000 est for repair). I have heard of similar occurances with this model car and with 740I of about the same year. This seems to be a dangerous situation and should be prevented by a fuse or fusable link.
The driver seat creates a clicking noise and moves out of place (very minor movement) at numerous times (as in not in locked position) while making turns. Took to dealer and they want a fortune to check it out. The 540I only has 65k miles on it. It can be a dangerous situation, if the chair some how loses it locking.
Dealership was unable to perform the front spring strut recall 04v183000 repairs within a reasonable time. The consumer contacted customer service and received an insufficient reply.