1999 BMW 540I Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 14%of 22 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 43,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1999 BMW 540I, 14% of the 22 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 43,000 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 miles“The contact owns a 1999 Bmw 540I. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle accelerated without warning and hesitated when shifting the gear. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000. Updated 6/8/15 updated 10/3/1017”
NHTSA complaint #10702136, filed 2015-03, 16,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 17% |
| 2022 | 4 | 67% |
| 2021 | 3 | 33% |
| 2019 | 2 | 17% |
| 2018 | 2 | 6% |
| 2017 | 1 | 5% |
| 2003 | 1 | 14% |
| 2001 | 3 | 20% |
| 1999 | 3 | 14% |
| 1998 | 1 | 4% |
| 1997 | 1 | 4% |
| 1995 | 2 | 20% |
| 1994 | 4 | 50% |
Other parts of the 1999 BMW 540I
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsSteering
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 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