2003 BMW 540I Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 29%of 7 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 175,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 BMW 540I, 29% of the 7 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 175,000 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 - the Bmw 2003 540I that I own, has a driver's side airbag and a passenger side airbag. I complied with the Bmw recall for the takata airbag replacement system that to my dissatisfaction, replaced only the driver's side airbag. I am registering this complaint to notify NHTSA that Bmw did not replace the passenger side airbag with this recall. This non-replacement of the passenger side airbag is concerning to me as the passenger is at risk for the problems that takata airbags produce whether driver's side or the passenger side. …”
NHTSA complaint #11209951, filed 2019-05, 175,000 miles“Air bag light coming on and off intermittently. Known recall affecting bmw 540 models around this vin number. BMW says this particular vin not affected, but if NHTSA adds vin to list, they will fix.”
NHTSA complaint #11653650, filed 2025-04Related 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
- 15V318000May 28, 2015DO NOT DRIVEBMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006…Covers: BMW 540I 2002–2003, M3 2002–2006, 330CI 2002–2006 +9 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 2003 BMW 540I
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 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