2002 BMW 540I Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 42%of 12 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 96,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the steering of the 2002 BMW 540I, 42% of the 12 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 96,000 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.
“Power steering pump mounting brackets broke off ( on a power steering pump itself), car thus lost power steering, belt got off, in a turn it would have been a disaster , somehow I was able to steer it clear in a turn. I guess I was lucky.”
NHTSA complaint #10715825, filed 2015-05, 86,000 miles“1. Events leading up to failure: I drove the car 5min and parked for 30 minute lunch. When I started the car, the power steering failed immediately and I couldn't turn the wheel. 2. The failure, frequency, consequences: power steering pump mounting brackets fractured near the bolts that retain the part to the chassis. The pump swung loose, allowing the belt to jump. The tensioner pulleys were damaged. …”
NHTSA complaint #10349331, filed 2010-08, 130,000 miles“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 and my serpentine belt fell off. After inspection the bracket for my power steering pump broke and caused the belt to fall off. Lost power steering while driving.”
NHTSA complaint #10704846, filed 2015-04, 96,000 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 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10036979Jun 1, 2010Bmw: a new technical process has been created for bmw to identify causes of steering complaints with a wide range of models.
Steering: other model years
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