2001 BMW 540I Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 33%of 15 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 105,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the air bags of the 2001 BMW 540I, 33% of the 15 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 105,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
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.
“Takata recall: both the manufacturer (Bmw north america) and the local dealer (united Bmw of roswell, ga) are refusing to perform the inspection of the air bag inflator on the referenced vehicle, per NHTSA recall campaign no. 17v-047. Dealer claims that no inspection is required since manufacture's service records for this VIN show that the airbag control unit was replaced 6/22/04. However, the open NHTSA recall campaign on this vehicle notes that the inflator may have been replaced previously but that the inflator that was replaced still needs to be inspected at this time as it may be faulty.”
NHTSA complaint #10990793, filed 2017-05, 156,000 miles“The contact owns a 2001 BMW 540I. The contact stated that the dealer had previously performed an unknown air bag recall repair; however, the failure occurred a year after the recall repair was performed. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off, an explosion was heard. The contact entered the vehicle and noticed that the passenger's side air bag had deployed, which shattered the front windshield. The air bag and an unknown warning light were illuminated. The driver's side air bag deployed a month later. …”
NHTSA complaint #11513083, filed 2023-03, 105,000 miles“The contact owns a 2001 BMW 540i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: (17V047000 (AIR BAGS) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were contacted.”
NHTSA complaint #11721725, filed 2026-03“Consumer was traveling 60mph on interstate and side/ top airbags exploded. After they exploded, warning lights came on and vehicle lost power. Dealer gave consumer a loaner car . Consumer's vehicle was being inspected.”
NHTSA complaint #884456, filed 2001-03Related recalls
- 19V015000Jan 14, 2019DO NOT DRIVEBMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000-2003 525i Sedan, 530i Sedan, 540i Sedan, 2001-2003 525i Sports Wagon and 540i Sports…Covers: BMW 540I 2000–2003, X5 SAV 2000–2004, 525I 2000–2003 +1 more
- 03V421000Oct 24, 2003On certain passenger vehicles, a microprocessor in the air bag control module, which activates the front air bags, the side air bags, the front seat safety…Covers: BMW 540I 2001, 525I 2001, 540IA 2001 +6 more
Related service bulletins
- 10160287Apr 1, 2019TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.
- 10160244Apr 1, 2019TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.
- 10153726Jan 1, 2019Takata class action settlement. Customer support program. Front driver side airbag modules.
- 10149557Oct 1, 2018For the above-referenced vehicles with driver?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?) will provide a Customer Support Program as outlined in the Takata…
- 10154816Feb 1, 2018In an effort to improve the completion rate on Takata air bag recall affected vehicles; BMW NA has expanded the BMW Ultimate Rewards platform to include a new Recall Support…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 17% |
| 2019 | 1 | 8% |
| 2018 | 14 | 45% |
| 2017 | 5 | 25% |
| 2003 | 2 | 29% |
| 2002 | 2 | 17% |
| 2001 | 5 | 33% |
| 2000 | 8 | 26% |
| 1999 | 2 | 9% |
| 1998 | 1 | 4% |
| 1997 | 1 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2001 BMW 540I
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 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