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...
1999-2001 · 2 model years
BMW 540IAT Problems by year
Owners have filed 3 complaints about the BMW 540IAT across 2 model years, and it has 3 recalls. The 1999 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (3). The most reported problem area is the brakes, followed by the engine & cooling.
- Complaints
- 3
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
540IAT complaints by model year
Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.
Most common 540IAT problems
BMW 540IAT recalls 3
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with a 5hp24 automatic transmission. Premature wear of the ring gear can occur, leading to the loss of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and reverse gears.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The thickness of the main positive electrical cable (generator to starter) insulation is less than specified, making it susceptible to being abraded or cut by the clip that secures the cable to the generator.
Latest 540IAT complaints
Complete abs failure while traveling at speeds. The abs control module controlled each wheel differently at different times, causing the car to buck wildly at highway safe speeds. While braking, the controller went bad (was reported to dealer previously and told it was the brake pads - changed and still had issue) , locked up the rear wheels, caused sliding condition in traffic, nearly colliding with other cars and underpass barricade. This has happened numerous time and has been reported to dealer (none at speeds - 10 mph or under - controllable at those speeds). *Nm
Radiator failure on 1999 540 touring - 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. *Ak - 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.
I have experienced an occasional hard downshift or clunk when slowing my vehicle and then briskly accelerating. This is very similar to the problem reported in service bulletin number 240300.*Ak
Questions about the BMW 540IAT
Which BMW 540IAT years have the most problems?
By the number of complaints owners filed with NHTSA: 1999 (3). Allowing for how long each has been on the road, the 1999 stands out most. Complaint counts also rise with sales, so compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What are the most common BMW 540IAT problems?
Across every model year, owners report problems with the brakes (1), engine & cooling (1), transmission & drivetrain (1) most often.
How many recalls does the BMW 540IAT have?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls across all BMW 540IAT model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.
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