2002 BMW 540I Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 42%of 12 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 electrical system of the 2002 BMW 540I, 42% of the 12 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 105,000 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.
“After starting up my car, there was a slight whine under the hood. I gave the car a little bit of throttle to see if the whine went away and heard a loud bang. The car was still running but my battery light was on. I needed to get home, and I thought that my car may not start again if I turned it off so I drove home. Immediately I noticed that I didn't have any power steering. As I drove my engine temperature got higher and I barely made it home without overheating. …”
NHTSA complaint #10556285, filed 2013-12, 151,345 miles“I was driving in stop and go traffic when I noticed the steering felt a little stiffer than usual. After about 5 miles and better flowing traffic I pulled into a restaurant for dinner when my upper radiator hose exploded. I pulled into a stall and opened the hood to inspect what happened. The hose was very apparent and after further investigation I noticed the power steering pumps pulley at a very sharp angle compared to linear with the serpentine belt. I can only assume that from the bracket on the pump breaking, it caused a chain reaction of events. …”
NHTSA complaint #10478241, filed 2012-10, 76,854 miles“Apparent computer malfunction caused windows to fog up, clock to fail, directional signals to fail and the engine to refuse to restart. Also, the dash display and brake lights remained on even with the ignition key removed. Disconnecting the battery, waiting about one hour, reconnecting the battery restored normal operation.”
NHTSA complaint #10318997, filed 2010-03, 41,000 miles“Multiple instances of no start. Every time the car was towed to a Bmw specialist who over and over again diagnosed completely drained battery, but charging system was ok. I have just found out that Bmw has been recalling 2003-2010 models with the exact same defect.”
NHTSA complaint #10453183, filed 2012-03, 105,000 miles“The contact owns a 2002 Bmw 540I. The contact stated that it took ten attempts to start the vehicle. The failure occurred at least thirty times. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 166,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10934048, filed 2016-12, 166,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- 10245422Nov 22, 2023Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicleâÂÂs equipment and settings, no acoustic or…
- 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…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 20% |
| 2022 | 1 | 17% |
| 2021 | 2 | 22% |
| 2019 | 1 | 8% |
| 2018 | 4 | 13% |
| 2017 | 4 | 20% |
| 2003 | 1 | 14% |
| 2002 | 5 | 42% |
| 2001 | 5 | 33% |
| 2000 | 8 | 26% |
| 1999 | 4 | 18% |
| 1997 | 3 | 11% |
| 1995 | 1 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2002 BMW 540I
5 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 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