2001 BMW 540I Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 20%of 15 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 73,263miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2001 BMW 540I, 20% of the 15 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 73,263 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.
“I own a 2001 Bmw 540I. I will put the car in drive, the car will move really slow, as I give it a little gas to go, the car will only rev up then jump into gear. This will cause a very strong jerk to the car. The car only has 70,000 miles, I feel that it is much too soon for a $65,000 car transmission to go bad. I took the car to Bmw to find out that I need to replace the transmission. (cost $5600) I have not fix the car in hope that I will find a solution for Bmw to fix it.”
NHTSA complaint #10144779, filed 2005-12, 70,000 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 2001 BMW 540I
5 complaintsElectrical system
5 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 30, 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