SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

1998 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 →
26Owner complaints

Model-year median: 8

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
10
199527
199726
199822
199931
200015
2001
Compare all 540I years →

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

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
16Latches/locks/linkages
2Structure
2Air Bags
1Parking Brake
1
All reported categories
Power Train
1Steering
1Suspension
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: 14 of 26 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 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. 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 reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

Parking Brake complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
33,224 miles · Sep 25, 2003
Parking Brake

BOTH SUN VISORS CRACKED ALONG WELD SEAM. REPLACED BY DEALER. TEMPERATURE CONTROL SWITCHE COVERS BROKEN. REPLACED BY DEALER. NOTICED THE DESIGN OF NEW COVERS IS DIFFERENT AND ELIMINATES RISK OF FAILURE. PARKING BRAKE DOESN'T HOLD. DEALER ADMITS BAD DESIN AND TRIED DIFFERENT SHOES WITHOUT SUCCESS IN PAST. DELER COULDN'T FIX, RES…

Read full complaint

BOTH SUN VISORS CRACKED ALONG WELD SEAM. REPLACED BY DEALER. TEMPERATURE CONTROL SWITCHE COVERS BROKEN. REPLACED BY DEALER. NOTICED THE DESIGN OF NEW COVERS IS DIFFERENT AND ELIMINATES RISK OF FAILURE. PARKING BRAKE DOESN'T HOLD. DEALER ADMITS BAD DESIN AND TRIED DIFFERENT SHOES WITHOUT SUCCESS IN PAST. DELER COULDN'T FIX, RESULTING IN SAFETY HAZARD.

NHTSA ODI #10039551

Official recalls

1

98V142000 · Power Train:driveline:differential Unit

Jun 22, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DIFFERENTIAL PINION SHAFT WITHIN THE DIFFERENTIAL CASE ASSEMBLY WAS PRODUCED WITHOUT THE APPROPRIATE SURFACE HARDENING. THIS CAN RESULT IN THE SHAFT EXPERIENCING PREMATURE WEAR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION WILL CAUSE A NOISE FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL AND, ULTIMATELY, FAILURE OF THE SHAFT AND LOSS OF DRIVE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENTIRE DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY.

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.