- 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.
Vehicle safety record
2001 BMW 540IA Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 2001 BMW 540IA have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in October 2003 for the sensor / control module-inactive.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical 540IA year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
2001 BMW 540IA recalls 3
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
- 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.
- 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 540IA 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 540IA: every year compared
All 540IA years2001 BMW 540IA vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 BMW 540IA | 0 | 3 | F | |
| 2001 BMW 325I | 150 | 7 | F | Compare |
| 2001 BMW 325CI | 49 | 6 | F | Compare |
| 2001 BMW 3 Series | 36 | 1 | B | Compare |
| 2001 BMW 325 | 31 | 2 | F | Compare |
| 2001 BMW 325XI | 14 | 2 | F | Compare |
| 2001 BMW 320 | 10 | 1 | F | Compare |
| 2001 BMW 325IX | 7 | 0 | - | Compare |
| 2001 BMW 318 | 6 | 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 540IA
Does the 2001 BMW 540IA have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2001 BMW 540IA: 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 540IA had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 2001 BMW 540IA a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 16 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical BMW 540IA 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 540IA years have the most complaints?
1999 (10), 1998 (3). See every BMW 540IA year compared.
What should I do if my 2001 BMW 540IA 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