Passenger side front seatbelt locks in the side panel and wont extend to allow passengers to get buckled up. It doesn't happen all the time but it happens.
Vehicle safety record
1997 BMW 540I Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 27 complaints about the 1997 BMW 540I with NHTSA, most often about the engine & cooling (13) and the seats & seat belts (3). Those complaints describe 2 fires and 1 injury. There are no recalls for it. For comparison, the 1998 has 26.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical 540I year, for its age
#121 most complained-about 1997 vehicle
- Complaints
- 27
- Recalls
- 0
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 1
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1997 BMW 540I problems
Share of all 27 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
No recalls for the 1997 BMW 540I
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1997 BMW 540I. Recalls can be announced at any time - this page updates daily.
What owners say
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27 complaints about the 1997 BMW 540I
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 2.
Incident #1 2010: accelerated the vehicle to 75mph to enter freeway. Took foot off gas and vehicle continued to accelerate. Engaged clutch to stop acceleration and rpm continued to rise to the limiter point (approx 5500 rpm). Pulled over, started car and engine immediately went to the red line. On inspection, a plastic part on an accelerator cable had cracked, causing the accelerator to lock in the fully open position. If the clutch had not been engaged (i.E. If this car had an automatic transmission), this...
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could have resulted in a collision and possible injuries or fatalities. Incident #2 12/2/2012. Started car and pulled away from curb. At about 3-5 mph the steering wheel locked. Stopped car, turned off ignition and started it again. The wheel unlocked but there was an audible clicking sound within the steering column. Carefully drove about one mile to house and turned off engine. Steering wheel locked again and car could not be started. The wheel locking while the car was being driven was a condition that could have resulted in a collision and possible injuries or fatalities. *Tr
I exchanged the lambda sensor of my car a couple of months ago. Suddenly my mileage went down and I started an error search. Since I was doing a couple of other things on the car I didn't come up with the sensors up front. Updated 11/16/10 *bf updated 03/23/11 *bf so when it came to them I recognized that they were grounded through the exhaust what they shouldn't do at my car! When I asked the manufacturer they dismissed everything as if it is not their fault. And they keep selling the lambda sensors for a...
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range of cars that definitely do not fit! Manufacturer is borgwarner beru systems gmbh! Lambda sensor is ozh 173 http://beru.Com/english/produkte/produktident.Php?S=ozh+173&eanr=0824010207&action=step02 the danger results from the implications of the grounding: this leads to a heating up of the lambda sensors which then might ignite unburned fuel in the exhaust. This fuel will definitely be there as the grounding also destroys the output stages of the engine control unit that are responsible for the fuel mixture. The car will ultimately fatten up, resulting in unburned fuel getting to the exhaust and being ignited by the heated up lambda sensors! This is what can burn down the whole car during driving and also when standing after a longer trip! So these lambda sensors destroyed my motor control unit, my catalytic converters, etc. I would be glad if you could research further into this and notify me of the status! Updated11/23/10. *Jb updated 12/01/10. *Jb *tr
When cruise control is activated, the vehicle accelerates rapidly in out-of-control manner. Sometimes it also decelerates rapidly, and lurches. *Tr
Whenever my cruise control is set, vehicle consistently overcompensates in speed fluctuations. It is almost as if the accelerator peddle gets stuck all the way down. This causes the vehicle to go from hwy speeds to extremely dangerous 80+mph speeds in a matter of a few seconds. Cruise control must then be disengaged. I have owned this particular car for over a year and it has always done this. Cruise control is not safe to use at any time. Several times, it has nearly made me have a rear end collision because it will take off with no warning. *Tr
1997 Bmw 540i fuse to the fuel injector blew out.***No answer required*** *mr the vehicle would all of a sudden die when in motion due to the blown fuse(s) to the injector. The thermostat temperature sensor had an internal short which caused the wire to melt and blew the fuse. The sunroof was inoperative due to the rail lift pieces being broken. *Sc the wiper blades were not cleaning the windows properly. *Jb
The radiator neck broke off while driving at highway speed on my 1997 540i. It is a common problem with bmw by all accounts, owners, technicians and even my own previously experienced it with an 1988 735i. Plastic parts on the radiator is unacceptable, dangerous and costly. This has been a problem for more than 10 years on these expensive luxury vehicles with no resolution by bmw.*Ak
(1) Replaced water pump and accessory belts. On a forum that I read, many suggest replacing the radiator when replacing the water pump, as preventive maintenance due to the radiator's high and frequent failure. Replace the radiator as preventive maintenance?!? I would rather not. A radiator is not an oil or air filter. (2) Upper neck on the radiator broke and released more than a gallon of coolant, in less than 50 feet, in the form of liquid and steam. The steam obscured vision on the drivers side of the...
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vehicle. Luckily I was making a right-hand turn into a parking lot. (3) No repair as of yet. The failure of the radiator occurred at approximately 11:00 am. I made it home at 12:05 p.M. I called the local bmw parts department (one hour and thirty minutes away) to arrange to pay for the radiator by credit card and then have the part left with one of the salespersons, because the parts department closes at 1:00 p.M. But they no longer accept credit card purchases over the phone from in-state customers, even after practically begging. Very poor practice unless they want to loose customers. Actually immediately after I submit this I will go on-line and try to find an after-market radiator. Probably of better quality anyway. Sad but true. I encourage the release of the information contained in this questionnaire to the manufacturer of my vehicle.*Ak
Buckle on the seat belt is in a depressed position, preventing the latch from locking. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, who said it would cost $400.00 To repair seat belt buckle. *Ak the set belt latch would become continuously depressed in which it would not spring back and would not connect into the latch. *Sc
The front strut spring perch failed on my 1997 model bmw 540i. The perch cut into tire. His happened at low-speed, so no injuries resulted (luckily).Mw na has issued a recall, but my vehicle supposedly is not covered, I think it missed by two months. My build date is 08/96. I contacted bmw na on 6/21/04 and spoke to ryan, I was told the vehicle did not qualify for the recall and that bmw na would not reimburse me for the damages. I have digital pictures of the strut that I can email. I also have the struts themselves still in my garage if someone would be interested in seeing them. John. *Ak
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. *Ak *sc *jb
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.*Ak
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. *Cb
The radiator in my 1997 bmw 540i has failed twice since I have owned it. I see this as a safety issue. *Ak
My 1997 bmw 540i 6-speed had a radiator failure at 77,500 miles. The plastic radiator connection point for the top hose snapped off. This appears to be a well know issue after speaking with bmw service techs and searching bmw internet sites.*Ak I believe that the manufacture should take care of this issue.
I own a 1997 bmw 540i. Radiator broke at plastic attachment point. Coolant leaked all over the windshield and engine. This seems to be a well known defect among owners of this car due to the plastic attachment point at the junction of the hose and the radiator. *Nlm
My 1997 bmw 540i6 radiator broke on me while driving on a highway on 5/30/03. *Ak
1997, Bmw, 540i radiator failure @ 77,500 miles (detected by bmw dealer during routine service inspection); radiator replaced at my cost.*Ak
Radiator failure on bmw 540i with only 51k miles, causing loss of traction and almost a wreck
The upper radiator hose unexpectly separated from the radiator. Inspection showed that the plastic radiator had broken at the hose fitting. The resulting steam cloud and water deposits on windshield abruptly obscured vision, leading to a very dangerous situation. Non-reinforced plastic is an unsafe material for use in this application.
Serious safety issue complete loss of coolant at speed. Dt
NO SUMMARY. DT
Turned on ignition and side airbags deployed. Cause is unknown. Please provide any further information.*Ak
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
Delamination/separation of tire tread from caseing-3 of the 4 tires on the car, severe .( Dot number: lmt8axbu tire size: 225/55r/16 )
BMW 540I: every year compared
All 540I years1997 BMW 540I vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 BMW 540I | 27 | 0 | F | |
| 1997 BMW 528I | 41 | 0 | F | Compare |
| 1997 BMW 328I | 35 | 0 | F | Compare |
| 1997 BMW 528 | 13 | 0 | F | Compare |
| 1997 BMW 540 | 7 | 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 540I
Does the 1997 BMW 540I have any recalls?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1997 BMW 540I 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 540I?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the engine & cooling (13), seats & seat belts (3), electrical system (3).
How many complaints has the 1997 BMW 540I had?
27 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on February 1, 1999 and the latest on December 5, 2019. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 2 a fire, and together they report 1 injury and 0 deaths.
Is the 1997 BMW 540I a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 7 out of 100 (grade F: far more 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 1997 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