1999 BMW 540I problems & reliability
22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1999 BMW 540I. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1999 BMW 540I vehicles were involved in 1 fatal crash with 0 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 5 | 23% |
| Electrical System | 4 | 18% |
| Power Train | 3 | 14% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 | 14% |
| Steering | 3 | 14% |
| Air Bags | 2 | 9% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 9% |
| Electronic Stability Control | 1 | 5% |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 5% |
| Engine | 1 | 5% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
All 13 reported components →Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 bmw 540i. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the positive battery cable was burned. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 99v004000 (electrical system)…”
Electrical System · filed Jul 8, 2015
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 bmw 540i. The contact stated that while driving at 35 mph, the vehicle accelerated without warning and hesitated when shifting the gear. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The…”
Power Train · filed Mar 27, 2015
“My 1999 bmw 540i was just sitting in the driveway and we heard a loud thud. I walked out to the bmw and noticed the passenger airbag had deployed for no reason, shattering the windshield. If this had happened while driving, it could have caused a serious accident. *tr”
Visibility/wiper · filed Mar 20, 2015
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Technical service bulletins
10 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1999 BMW 540I.
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
B510819 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 16, 2024
The lower radiator coolant return hose may come in contact with the secondary air system check valve flange gasket when the engine coolant is at operating temperature due to coolant system pressure and expansion of the…
B170100 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 16, 2023
Takata air bag recall-related short-term alternate transportation and consequential repairs this service information bulletin supersedes si b01 31 18 dated october 2018.
B013118 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 2019
Takata air bag recall-related short-term alternate transportation and consequential repairs this service information bulletin supersedes si b01 31 18 dated october 2018.
B013118 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 2019
Takata class action settlement. Customer support program. Front driver side airbag modules.
B011618 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2019
Radio / Navigation / Head Unit Identification Guide
B650916 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 1, 2018
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 Support Program Overview…
B011618 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 1, 2018
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 allow IRFs to check…
B080119 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 1, 2018
SERVICE ACTION: PROGRAM DME (FOR O2 SENSORS): Due to DME software error, the following oxygen sensors plausibility fault codes may be stored in DME 5.2.1 control module:
B122817 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 1, 2017
SERVICE ACTION: PROGRAM DME: The incorrect dataset could be programmed into DME 5.2.1 control module.
B122917 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 1, 2017
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1999 BMW 540I in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1999 BMW 540I?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.