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...
Engine & cooling
BMW 540IA Engine problems by year
8 complaints filed with NHTSA about the BMW 540IA's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.
Engine complaints by model year
Engine recalls
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...
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...
Latest 540IA engine complaints
My 1999 bmw 540i sport caught fire 12/19/08 while it was sitting in the driveway of my home. I noticed flames about 1:30 am coming from the sides of the hood. I had driven the car to dinner that night and it was parked and locked in my driveway. I just happened to notice the flames through the window of my house. Called fire department and car was totally burned and melted. Only the rear trunk area was left. I could find no mention of this type of fire occurring on the websites of consumer complaints. No...
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recalls that I could find. My car was well maintained while I had it. The previous owner had good records also. I had only owned it about 6 months. It was bought from the previous owner. *Tr
Radiator cracked at top hose inlet causing loss of coolant
1) Check coolant level warning light came on twice in 1 week. Kuni bmw conducted my factory inspection ii service only 2 months before this occured. ) Radiator cracked where the upper hose enters the radiator, leaking fluid into the engine bay and ground. 3) Replace the radiator. This is a well know defect on this vehicle - why doesn't bmw do something about this?*Ak
Radiator failed on my 1999 bmw 540 at 54,700 miles. I believe this to be a safety problem that bmw needs to address. This safety problem: - disables the vehicle no matter where you are from rush hour traffic where the panic could endanger other drivers, to the middle of nowhere in the dead of winter by yourself. - Steam from failed radiator blocks vision of the road, or whatever else is in the drivers side front corner of the vehicle. - Failure can not be predicted by visual inspection of the radiator.*Ak
CRACK IN RADIATOR - NEEDS REPLACEMENT. *AK
Various problems involving 1998 bmw 540ia which was brought used. *Mr bmw had been importing vehicles for sale, fitted with a radiator that had plastic ends as well as supply and return under approximately 21 p.S.I. These radiators suddenly ruptured under load while driving, causing the drivers to swerve on impulse at impact of the rupture. The radiator was likely to rupture at about 80k miles. *Sc *jb
RADIATOR FAILURE. *JB
NO SUMMARY. DT
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data