SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

1997 BMW 540I

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
27Owner complaints

Model-year median: 8

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
8
199410
199527
199726
199822
199931
2000
Compare all 540I years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
13Electrical System
3Seat Belts
2Suspension
2Unknown Or Other
2
All reported categories
Vehicle Speed Control
2Air Bags
1Power Train
1Seats
1Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1Tires
1Visibility
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 18 of 27 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports2 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

27 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE COMPLETE LOSS OF COOLANT AT SPEED. DT

NHTSA ODI #770387

Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 2002
Unknown Or Other

NO SUMMARY. DT

NHTSA ODI #770218

Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2002
Air BagsElectrical System

TURNED ON IGNITION AND SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8015909

Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2001
Unknown Or OtherInjury

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

NHTSA ODI #749372

Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2000
Tires

DELAMINATION/SEPARATION OF TIRE TREAD FROM CASEING-3 OF THE 4 TIRES ON THE CAR, SEVERE .( DOT NUMBER: LMT8AXBU TIRE SIZE: 225/55R/16 )

NHTSA ODI #729771

Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 1999
Service Brakes, HydraulicFire

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

NHTSA ODI #853119

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling

CATALYTIC CONVERTERS FAILED. MJS

NHTSA ODI #606538

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.