2002 BMW 540I Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 1about this part
- Share
- 8%of 12 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 1 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2002 BMW 540I, 8% of the 12 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 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.
“The plastic covers on the headlights of my Bmw became crazed/frosted. Every Bmw of this vintage has the same problem. I showed this to occur in 2010 at 100,000 miles, but in fact it was a steady degradation over several years. It's a safety issue, because the light output is significantly reduced. Causing risk at normal highway speeds. In addition, the crazing/frosting results in additional glare to oncoming traffic. I asked about recalls/replacement program for this defect at my local Bmw dealer; the service technician dismissed it as a normal aging issue. I strongly disagree. …”
NHTSA complaint #10730119, filed 2015-06, 100,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10037025Aug 1, 2010Bmw: procedure for determining and replacing incandescent and halogen light bulbs under warranty.
Exterior lighting: other model years
Other parts of the 2002 BMW 540I
5 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsEngine
2 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 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