1997 BMW 540i Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

1997 BMW 540i recalls

No safety recalls on file for the 1997 BMW 540i.

Most common 1997 BMW 540i problems

Problem areas named in the 27 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Engine And Engine Cooling	13
Electrical System	3
Unknown Or Other	2
Suspension	2
Seat Belts	2
Visibility	2
Vehicle Speed Control	2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	1
Tires	1
Air Bags	1

What owners report

2019-12-05, Seat Belts
PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEATBELT LOCKS IN THE SIDE PANEL AND WONT EXTEND TO ALLOW PASSENGERS TO GET BUCKLED UP. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME BUT IT HAPPENS.

2012-12-11, Power Train
INCIDENT #1 2010: ACCELERATED THE VEHICLE TO 75MPH TO ENTER FREEWAY. TOOK FOOT OFF GAS AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. ENGAGED CLUTCH TO STOP ACCELERATION AND RPM CONTINUED TO RISE TO THE LIMITER POINT (APPROX 5500 RPM). PULLED OVER, STARTED CAR AND ENGINE IMMEDIATELY WENT TO THE RED LINE. ON INSPECTION, A PLASTIC PART ON AN ACCELERATOR CABLE HAD CRACKED, CAUSING THE ACCELERATOR TO LOCK IN THE FULLY OPEN POSITION. IF THE CLUTCH HAD NOT BEEN ENGAGED (I.E. IF THIS CAR HAD AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION), THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A COLLISION AND POSSIBLE INJURIES OR FATALITIES. INCIDENT #2 12/2/2012. STARTED CAR AND PULLED AWAY FROM CURB. AT ABOUT 3-5 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED

2010-10-25, Engine And Engine Cooling
I EXCHANGED THE LAMBDA SENSOR OF MY CAR A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. SUDDENLY MY MILEAGE WENT DOWN AND I STARTED AN ERROR SEARCH. SINCE I WAS DOING A COUPLE OF OTHER THINGS ON THE CAR I DIDN'T COME UP WITH THE SENSORS UP FRONT. UPDATED 11/16/10 *BF UPDATED 03/23/11 *BF SO WHEN IT CAME TO THEM I RECOGNIZED THAT THEY WERE GROUNDED THROUGH THE EXHAUST WHAT THEY SHOULDN'T DO AT MY CAR! WHEN I ASKED THE MANUFACTURER THEY DISMISSED EVERYTHING AS IF IT IS NOT THEIR FAULT. AND THEY KEEP SELLING THE LAMBDA SENSORS FOR A RANGE OF CARS THAT DEFINITELY DO NOT FIT! MANUFACTURER IS BORGWARNER BERU SYSTEMS GMBH! LAMBDA SENSOR IS OZH 173 HTTP://BERU.COM/ENGLISH/PRODUKTE/PRODUKTIDENT.PHP?S=OZH+173&EANR=

2009-12-27, Vehicle Speed Control
WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES RAPIDLY IN OUT-OF-CONTROL MANNER. SOMETIMES IT ALSO DECELERATES RAPIDLY, AND LURCHES. *TR

2009-05-04, Vehicle Speed Control
WHENEVER MY CRUISE CONTROL IS SET, VEHICLE CONSISTENTLY OVERCOMPENSATES IN SPEED FLUCTUATIONS. IT IS ALMOST AS IF THE ACCELERATOR PEDDLE GETS STUCK ALL THE WAY DOWN. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO GO FROM HWY SPEEDS TO EXTREMELY DANGEROUS 80+MPH SPEEDS IN A MATTER OF A FEW SECONDS. CRUISE CONTROL MUST THEN BE DISENGAGED. I HAVE OWNED THIS PARTICULAR CAR FOR OVER A YEAR AND IT HAS ALWAYS DONE THIS. CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT SAFE TO USE AT ANY TIME. SEVERAL TIMES, IT HAS NEARLY MADE ME HAVE A REAR END COLLISION BECAUSE IT WILL TAKE OFF WITH NO WARNING. *TR

1997 BMW 540i questions

Does the 1997 BMW 540i have any recalls?

No. NHTSA has no safety recalls on file for the 1997 BMW 540i at this time.

What are the most common problems with the 1997 BMW 540i?

Based on 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Engine And Engine Cooling (13), Electrical System (3), Unknown Or Other (2).

How do I check if a recall on my 1997 BMW 540i has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.