Vehicle safety record

2001 BMW 540I Problems, complaints & recalls

No owner complaints about the 2001 BMW 540I have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 4 recalls, the latest in January 2019 for the inflator module.

Share your experience See 4 recalls

NHTSA data checked yesterday

26/100Safety Index

DMore problems than a typical 540I year, for its age

Complaints: 0
Recalls: 4
Crashes: 0
Fires: 0
Injuries: 0
Deaths: 0

2001 BMW 540I recalls 4

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.

Air bags: sensor / control module-inactive

03V421000Oct 24, 200323,000 vehicles affected

The problem: On certain passenger vehicles, a microprocessor in the air bag control module, which activates the front air bags, the side air bags, the front seat safety belt pretensioners, and the battery safety terminal, may have a malfunction that could lead to an unintended activation of one or more of these components.
The risk: Unexpected deployment of the air bag(s) could cause serious injury if an occupant is too close to the deploying air bag(s). In addition, the battery safety terminal may also be activated. If that happens, the starter cable would become disconnected from the battery, and the engine could not be restarted.
The fix: Dealers will replace the air bag control module. Owner notification began november10, 2003. Owners should contact bmw at 1-800-831-1117.

Engine and engine cooling: fan

02V138000May 16, 20021,550 vehicles affected

The problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the engine auxiliary/cooling fan operation, including variable speed, is electronically controlled. Failure of the fan motor can cause the electrical circuitry of the fan control unit to overload and fail, causing the fan to stop operating.
The risk: If this were to occur, engine overheating and subsequent engine damage could result. In addition, it is possible for the failure of the electrical circuitry to cause a fire in the fan control unit located in the front of the engine compartment.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fan. Owner notification began september 28, 2001. This is a supplement to a recall that began during september 2001 (see recall campaign 01v206). Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact bmw at 1-800-831-1117.

Engine and engine cooling: fan

01V206000Jun 21, 200176,469 vehicles affected

The problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The engine auxiliary/cooling fan operation, including variable speed, is electronically controlled. Failure of the fan motor can cause the electrical circuitry of the fan control unit to overload and fail, causing the fan to stop operating.
The risk: If this were to occur, engine overheating and subsequent engine damage could result. In addition, it is possible for the failure of the electrical circuitry to cause a fire in the fan control unit located in the front of the engine compartment.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fan. Owner notification began september 28, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact bmw at 1-800-831-1117.

What owners say

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No complaints about the 2001 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 '00 0'01 '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

2001 BMW 540I vs rivals

Vehicle	Complaints	Recalls	Crashes	Grade
2001 BMW 540I	0	4	0	D
2001 BMW 325I	150	7	7	F	Compare
2001 BMW 325CI	49	6	1	F	Compare
2001 BMW 3 Series	36	1	1	B	Compare
2001 BMW 325	31	2	2	F	Compare
2001 BMW 325XI	14	2	0	F	Compare
2001 BMW 320	10	1	0	F	Compare
2001 BMW 325IX	7	0	0	-	Compare
2001 BMW 318	6	0	0	C	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 2001 BMW 540I

Does the 2001 BMW 540I have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2001 BMW 540I: inflator module (January 2019); sensor / control module-inactive (October 2003); fan (May 2002); fan (June 2001). 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 2001 BMW 540I had?

None have been filed with NHTSA so far.

Is the 2001 BMW 540I a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 26 out of 100 (grade D: 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 2001 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