1999 BMW 540I Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 1about this part
- Share
- 5%of 22 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 1 complaints about the engine of the 1999 BMW 540I, 5% of the 22 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 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.
“My transmission would not accelerate or move. I had the trans rebuild and 2 years later the same problem. The trans has lost gears 1-3 and reverse, multistate repaired the trans again 2013, ifor the second time, it never worked after repairs. The engine light stays on, Bmw says I need new trans and engine. When I looked up recalls for 540I, it states the same trans problem and it should be replaced. When I look up engine there are known engine problems with 540I, not my VIN. I also have electrical issues, which have a recall on 540I, but not my VIN. …”
NHTSA complaint #10588144, filed 2014-05, 70,000 milesEngine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 17% |
| 2021 | 1 | 11% |
| 2019 | 1 | 8% |
| 2018 | 3 | 10% |
| 2017 | 2 | 10% |
| 2003 | 1 | 14% |
| 2002 | 2 | 17% |
| 2001 | 1 | 7% |
| 2000 | 2 | 6% |
| 1999 | 1 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1999 BMW 540I
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsTires
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 BMW 540I
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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