CarRecallWatchThe 2001 BMW 540i has 4 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 15 complaints with NHTSA, including 1 crash.
The most-reported problem area is Electrical System (6 reports).
2001 BMW 540i recalls
Driver Airbag Inflator May Explode, Sending Metal Fragments
Certain BMW vehicles from 2000 to 2004 that have the optional sports steering wheel may have a driver-side frontal airbag inflator that can explode.
Most common 2001 BMW 540i problems
Problem areas named in the 15 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
What owners report
The contact owns a 2001 BMW 540i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: (17V047000 (AIR BAGS) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.
The contact owns a 2001 BMW 540I. The contact stated that the dealer had previously performed an unknown air bag recall repair; however, the failure occurred a year after the recall repair was performed. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off, an explosion was heard. The contact entered the vehicle and noticed that the passenger's side air bag had deployed, which shattered the front windshield. The air bag and an unknown warning light were illuminated. The driver's side air bag deployed a month later. The contact stated that there was no impact to the vehicle that could have caused the air bags to deploy. Additionally, the vehicle made an abnormal sound after it
M62 V-8 ENGINES USED IN THE E-39 540 AND E-38 740 ARE NOTORIOUS FOR FAULTY TIMING CHAIN GUIDES. AT AROUND 125,000 THE PLASTIC CAN DISINTEGRATE CAUSING THE CHAIN TO SKIP A TOOTH. ONCE A TOOTH IS SKIPPED THE VALVES ARE CRUSHED AND THE ENGINE IS DESTROYED. THE COST TO REPLACE THE GUIDES IS EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE. I WAS LUCKY IN THAT I REPLACED MINE AT 140,000 MILES
TAKATA RECALL: BOTH THE MANUFACTURER (BMW NORTH AMERICA) AND THE LOCAL DEALER (UNITED BMW OF ROSWELL, GA) ARE REFUSING TO PERFORM THE INSPECTION OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE REFERENCED VEHICLE, PER NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 17V-047. DEALER CLAIMS THAT NO INSPECTION IS REQUIRED SINCE MANUFACTURE'S SERVICE RECORDS FOR THIS VIN SHOW THAT THE "AIRBAG CONTROL UNIT" WAS REPLACED 6/22/04. HOWEVER, THE OPEN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ON THIS VEHICLE NOTES THAT THE INFLATOR MAY HAVE BEEN REPLACED PREVIOUSLY BUT THAT THE INFLATOR THAT WAS REPLACED STILL NEEDS TO BE INSPECTED AT THIS TIME AS IT MAY BE FAULTY.
POSSIBLE TAKATA INFLATOR: AT FIRST THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON OCCASIONALLY AND NOW THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON ALL AT THE TIME.
2001 BMW 540i questions
Does the 2001 BMW 540i have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2001 BMW 540i: Driver Airbag Inflator May Explode, Sending Metal Fragments; Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module-Inactive; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 BMW 540i?
Based on 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (6), Air Bags (5), Power Train (3).
How do I check if a recall on my 2001 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.