1997 BMW 540I
31 complaints filed with NHTSA.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY | 9 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR | 1 |
| TIRES | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 1 |
| AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 1 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
Recent Complaints
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE ELECTRONIC COOLANT THERMOSTAT SHORTED OUT AND CAUSED ENGINE WIRING HARNESS THE BURN UP. THIS CAUSED THE ENIGINE TO STOP RUNNING. LUCKILY, BURNING WAS RESTRICTED TO WIRES AND NO OTHER COMPONENTS WERE BURNT. CAR IS STILL WAITING FOR A NEW WIRING HARNESS AT THE BMW DEALER ($2000 EST FOR REPAIR). I HAVE HEARD OF SIMILAR OCCURANCES WITH THIS MODEL CAR AND WITH 740I OF ABOUT THE SAME YEAR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND SHOULD BE PREVENTED BY A FUSE OR
Mileage: 93,000
DRIVER USES REMOTE KEY TO LOCK AUTO FROM DISTANCE AWAY SEALING PASSENGER IN CAR: OUTSIDE TEMP. 114 DEGREES. CAR DESIGN HAS NO ESCAPE DEVICE FROM INSIDE INSIDE
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT ON FIRE. INSURANCE INVESTIGATORS CLAIMED FIRE WAS DUE TO BRAKE FLUID BEING EXPELLED FROM ABS SYSTEM AND IGINITING EXHAUST MANIFOLD. *AK