- The problem
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A malfunction or failure of a coolant system component, such as a thermostat, water pump, or fan belt, can result in significantly increased coolant temperature and system pressure. If the indications of a critical overheating condition is not noticed by the driver, it is possible that damage to, or failure of, a coolant system component could occur.
- The risk
- If a crack were to form or a seam were to separate in the heater core end piece, hot coolant could suddenly be expelled, increasing the risk of personal injury to a vehicle occupant.
- The fix
- Dealers will install a new design radiator cap to control pressure and provide greater coolant overflow in the event of overheating.
Vehicle safety record
1990 BMW 540I Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1990 BMW 540I have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in August 1998 for the cooling system.
NHTSA data checked
BFewer problems than a typical 540I year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1990 BMW 540I recalls 1
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
What owners say
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No complaints about the 1990 BMW 540I yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
BMW 540I: every year compared
All 540I years1990 BMW 540I vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 BMW 540I | 0 | 1 | B | |
| 1990 BMW 325I | 12 | 0 | D | Compare |
| 1990 BMW 525I | 11 | 3 | F | Compare |
| 1990 BMW 525 | 7 | 2 | D | Compare |
| 1990 BMW 535 | 4 | 2 | F | Compare |
| 1990 BMW 535I | 2 | 2 | F | Compare |
| 1990 BMW 318 | 1 | 1 | A | 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 1990 BMW 540I
Does the 1990 BMW 540I have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 1990 BMW 540I: cooling system (August 1998). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 1990 BMW 540I had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1990 BMW 540I a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 74 out of 100 (grade B: fewer problems than a typical BMW 540I 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 540I years have the most complaints?
1997 (27), 1998 (26), 1999 (22). See every BMW 540I year compared.
What should I do if my 1990 BMW 540I 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