1999 BMW 540IA Problems
- Complaints
- 10filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 54,375miles, 8 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1999 BMW 540IA (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 1999 BMW 540IA. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 6 complaints (60% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (2) and brakes (1). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 25% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 54,375 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 7 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling6 60%
- Brakes1 10%
- Equipment1 10%
- Exterior lighting1 10%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “Radiator failed on my 1999 Bmw 540 at 54,700 miles. I believe this to be a safety problem that Bmw needs to address. This safety problem: - disables the vehicle no matter where you are from rush hour traffic where the panic could endanger other drivers, to the middle of nowhere in the dead of winter by yourself. - steam from failed radiator blocks vision of the road, or whatever else is in the drivers side front corner of the vehicle. - failure can not be predicted by visual inspection of the radiator.”
NHTSA complaint #10102410, filed 2004-12, 54,750 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “- the contact owns a 1999 Bmw 540IA with failure mileage of 100,000 miles. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH he began having problems with the transmission. The contact stated that the gears began to function improperly, and could not be operated in 1st through reverse gears. The contact took the vehicle to the Bmw dealer, where they stated that there was nothing that they would do to fix the recall. They refused to repair the vehicle without cost because the recall was issued by NHTSA and not by them. …”
NHTSA complaint #10187806, filed 2007-04, 100,000 milesBrakes: “I had troubles with my ABS module unit that is attached to my Bmw 1999 540IA. I have become aware that this is a common problem that disables the ABS control of my car and many other same model cars as mine. I had to replace the part myself due to no recall or acceptance from Bmw that this is a major problem with a safety feature on my and many other Bmw's similar to mine. The failure occured out of the nowhere and the resulting problem is that the unit would go off after car would warm up then eventually over time the unit completely fails and disables the cars anti braking system. …”
NHTSA complaint #10147799, filed 2006-01, 106,000 milesEquipment: “My 1999 Bmw 540i sport caught fire 12/19/08 while it was sitting in the driveway of my home. I noticed flames about 1:30 am coming from the sides of the hood. I had driven the car to dinner that night and it was parked and locked in my driveway. I just happened to notice the flames through the window of my house. Called fire department and car was totally burned and melted. Only the rear trunk area was left. I could find no mention of this type of fire occurring on the websites of consumer complaints. No recalls that I could find. My car was well maintained while I had it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10252453, filed 2008-12, 51,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
25% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 51,000 and 83,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 99V004000Jan 4, 1999Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery › CablesCovers: BMW 540IA 1999, 540IAT 1999, 540I 1999 +2 more
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The thickness of the main positive electrical cable (generator to starter) insulation is less than specified, making it susceptible to being abraded or cut by the clip that secures the cable to the generator.
- 99V005000Jan 4, 1999Power train › Automatic transmissionCovers: BMW 540IA 1999, 540IAT 1999, 740IA 1999 +1 more
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with a 5hp24 automatic transmission. Premature wear of the ring gear can occur, leading to the loss of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and reverse gears.
Recall details for the 1999 BMW 540IA → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 7 on record; the latest 7 are shown.
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024Electrical system, Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- 10160287Apr 1, 2019Air bags. TAKATA 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, 2019Air bags. TAKATA 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, 2019Air bags. Takata class action settlement. Customer support program. Front driver side airbag modules.
- 10152674Nov 1, 2018Equipment. Radio / Navigation / Head Unit Identification Guide
- 10149557Oct 1, 2018Air bags, Electrical system. For 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 Settlement Customer…
- 10154816Feb 1, 2018Air bags. In 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 page. This page will…
Other model years of the BMW 540IA
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 7 | 57,000 | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2000 | 8 | 68,444 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1999 | 10 | 54,375 | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1997 | 12 | 67,359 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1999 BMW 540IA have?
NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 1999 BMW 540IA as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1999 BMW 540IA is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 6 complaints (60% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 2.
Has the 1999 BMW 540IA been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1999 BMW 540IA reported?
Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 54,375 miles and the middle half falls between 51,000 and 83,000 miles; 25% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.