1997 BMW 540I Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 7%of 27 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 140,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1997 BMW 540I, 7% of the 27 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 140,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10267722, filed 2009-05, 150,000 milesVehicle speed control: other model years
Other parts of the 1997 BMW 540I
13 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 BMW 540I
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology