Vehicle safety record

2000 BMW 540I Problems, complaints & recalls

No owner complaints about the 2000 BMW 540I have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in January 2019 for the inflator module.

Share your experience See 2 recalls

NHTSA data checked yesterday

50/100Safety Index

CAbout as many problems as a typical 540I year, for its age

Complaints: 0
Recalls: 2
Crashes: 0
Fires: 0
Injuries: 0
Deaths: 0

2000 BMW 540I recalls 2

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

Air bags: inflator module

19V015000Jan 14, 2019157,549 vehicles affected

Do not drive

The problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000-2003 525i Sedan, 530i Sedan, 540i Sedan, 2001-2003 525i Sports Wagon and 540i Sports Wagon vehicles, and 2000-2004 X5 SAV 3.0i, X5 SAV 4.4i, and X5 SAV 4.6is vehicles. This recall affects certain vehicles where the original steering wheel has been replaced with the optional sports steering wheel. The sports steering wheel has a frontal air bag inflator that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle for an optional sports steering wheel with an affected inflator. Dealers will replace the air bag module as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Exterior lighting: switch

00V048000Feb 17, 200017,700 vehicles affected

The problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The brake lamps in these vehicles are controlled by a switch activated by the movement of the brake pedal. This switch could fail internally, causing it to remain either in the "brake lamps off" position or in the "brake lamps on" position.
The risk: If this happens, the brake lamps either will not operate or will be continuously illuminated, regardless of brake pedal position.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the existing brake lamp switch with an improved switch.

What owners say

Be the first 540I owner to share.

Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now

No complaints about the 2000 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

'89 '90 '91 '92 '93 '94 '95 '97 '98 '99 0'00 '01 '02 '03 '17 '18 '19 '20 '21 '22 '23 '24

Year	Complaints	Recalls	Crashes	Fires	Top problem	Grade
2003	0	2	0	0	-	C
2002	0	2	0	0	-	C
2001	0	4	0	0	-	D
2000	0	2	0	0	-	C
1999	22	1	1	0	Engine & cooling	F
1998	26	1	0	0	Engine & cooling	F
1997	27	0	0	2	Engine & cooling	F

All 540I years

2000 BMW 540I vs rivals

Vehicle	Complaints	Recalls	Crashes	Grade
2000 BMW 540I	0	2	0	C
2000 BMW 323I	401	7	13	F	Compare
2000 BMW 328I	112	7	6	F	Compare
2000 BMW 3 Series	88	1	3	D	Compare
2000 BMW 328IC	34	0	0	-	Compare
2000 BMW 323CI	31	4	0	F	Compare
2000 BMW 328CI	15	4	0	F	Compare
2000 BMW 325CI	6	3	0	D	Compare
2000 BMW 323	2	2	0	D	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 2000 BMW 540I

Does the 2000 BMW 540I have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2000 BMW 540I: inflator module (January 2019); switch (February 2000). 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 2000 BMW 540I had?

None have been filed with NHTSA so far.

Is the 2000 BMW 540I a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 50 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as 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 2000 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 yesterday. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data