1997 BMW 540I vs 1999 BMW 540I
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 1997 BMW 540I | 1999 BMW 540I |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 27 | 22 |
| Recall campaigns | 0 | 0 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 21 | 10 |
| Investigations | 0 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 0 | 1 |
| Fire reports | 2 | 0 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 16–18 | 16–18 |
| Median reported incident mileage | — | — |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | BMW 540I | BMW 540I |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 13 | 5 |
| Electrical System | 3 | 4 |
| Power Train | 1 | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 3 |
| Air Bags | 1 | 2 |
| Steering | 0 | 3 |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 |
1997 BMW 540I
1999 BMW 540I
Compare all BMW 540I vs BMW 540I years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.