1999 BMW 540IA Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 60%of 10 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 51,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1999 BMW 540IA, 60% of the 10 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 51,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“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 miles“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 miles“1) check coolant level warning light came on twice in 1 week. Kuni Bmw conducted my factory inspection ii service only 2 months before this occured. ) radiator cracked where the upper hose enters the radiator, leaking fluid into the engine bay and ground. 3) replace the radiator. This is a well know defect on this vehicle - why doesn't Bmw do something about this?”
NHTSA complaint #10105902, filed 2005-01, 54,000 milesEngine cooling: other model years
Other parts of the 1999 BMW 540IA
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 BMW 540IA
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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