1999 BMW 540I Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 14%of 22 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 182,004miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the steering of the 1999 BMW 540I, 14% of the 22 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 182,004 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.
“Vehicle was driven at highway speed (55-60mph) and a loud metallic 'thunk' noise was heard as if something struck or bounced off the underside of the car. The serpentine drive belt was discovered to have come off the drive pulleys, and upon closer inspection the power steering pump was discovered to be loose. The upper mounting ear was broken, and the lower mounting bolt was missing entirely. It appears the break in the upper mounting ear cause the lower bolt to vibrate loose, and in turn the serpentine drive belt was dislodged. …”
NHTSA complaint #10392956, filed 2011-03, 176,009 milesSteering: other model years
Other parts of the 1999 BMW 540I
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsEngine
1 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 29, 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