2000 BMW 540I problems
Owners have filed 36 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 BMW 540I. Air bags is the most reported problem area, at 22% of complaints. After that come cooling system (22%) and electrical system (22%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 36 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Air bags 22% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 1 and 3
- Injuries and deaths
- 3 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 95,000 miles 26 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 | 2 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 5 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 3 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 4 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 7 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 2 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 2 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 26 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 95,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 1 complaint mentions a crash; 3 complaints mention a fire; 3 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2000 ranks 4th most-complained-about out of 6 model years of the BMW 540I with enough data (15 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 BMW 540I. The contact was driving approximately 60 MPH when road debris crashed into the front driver side door and the front driver side air bag deployed. The vehicle was pulled over and shut off. A police report was not filed but the contact sustained minor injuries from the air bag deployment. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop where the contact was told that the impact from the debris was not sufficient to warrant air bag deployment. The vehicle was repaired.
Cup holders do not hold cups. Cups go flying and spill hot coffee on passengers or driver. This could cause an accident or a burn to either person. BMW could care less.
Engine fire: electronic thermostat wires overheated and caused wires and electrical connectors to burn. Smoke entered the cabin while driving and vehicle performance has been degraded.
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 BMW 540I. When the brakes were depressed, the traction did not hold or control the vehicle. The instrument panel gauge also failed to function properly when the ABS failed. The BMW manufacturer was called and informed the contact that his warranty had expired and he would be responsible for the repair cost. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 91,000.
Wiring harness in loom at connection between body and trunk lid is showing cracked wires which can lead to a variety of symptoms when wires short. Trunk will only open manually with key. Key fob remote and inside vehicle trunk release do not work. Trunk cannot be opened when doors are unlocked using trunk handle. Other symptoms include many false dashboard warning indicators ranging from low coolant, trunk lid not closed, etc. Wiring short could be fire hazard. Many example cases can be found here [link removed]