Tl* the contact owns a 1997 bmw 540. The contact stated that the transmission failed and the vehicle inspected by the dealer who advised that the transmission ring gear failed and cause the transmission to slip into safe mode. The manufacturer advised that the vehicle was not under recall and the vehicle was not repaired. The vin was unavailable. The failure and current mileage was 141,000.
Vehicle safety record
1997 BMW 540 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 7 complaints about the 1997 BMW 540 with NHTSA, most often about the airbags (3) and the transmission & drivetrain (2). There are no recalls for it.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical 540 year, for its age
#176 most complained-about 1997 vehicle
- Complaints
- 7
- Recalls
- 0
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1997 BMW 540 problems
Share of all 7 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
No recalls for the 1997 BMW 540
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1997 BMW 540. Recalls can be announced at any time - this page updates daily.
What owners say
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7 complaints about the 1997 BMW 540
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
The airbag light illuminated because of the passenger side weight system. *Nlm
Burned out odometer/trip leds. Shows partial numbers and characters only. *Ak
Structure design of the vehicle (struts between windows) are too large causing poor visibilty. Yh
Sidewall failure caused high speed blow out. Contenental size - 225/55r16, dot033208.
The driver's side door airbag deployed without warning after turning on the ignition. *Ak
Driver feels airbags are a problem for short people.
BMW 540: every year compared
All 540 years1997 BMW 540 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 BMW 540 | 7 | 0 | F | |
| 1997 BMW 528I | 41 | 0 | F | Compare |
| 1997 BMW 328I | 35 | 0 | F | Compare |
| 1997 BMW 540I | 27 | 0 | F | Compare |
| 1997 BMW 528 | 13 | 0 | F | Compare |
| 1997 BMW 318 | 5 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 1997 BMW 318I | 5 | 1 | B | Compare |
| 1997 BMW 528IA | 3 | 0 | - | Compare |
| 1997 BMW 318IS | 2 | 1 | B | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1997 BMW 540
Does the 1997 BMW 540 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1997 BMW 540 right now. Recalls can be announced at any time, and this page checks NHTSA every day. You can also check your exact vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 BMW 540?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the airbags (3), transmission & drivetrain (2), wheels & tires (1).
How many complaints has the 1997 BMW 540 had?
7 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on April 17, 1997 and the latest on April 15, 2011. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 1997 BMW 540 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 22 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical BMW 540 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which BMW 540 years have the most complaints?
1997 (7), 1999 (3). See every BMW 540 year compared.
What should I do if my 1997 BMW 540 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data