1999 BMW 540I vs 1999 Oldsmobile Alero
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 | 1999 BMW 540I | 1999 Oldsmobile Alero |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 22 | 462 |
| Recall campaigns | 0 | 2 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 10 | 150 |
| Investigations | 0 | 1 |
| Crash reports | 1 | 14 |
| Fire reports | 0 | 11 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 16–18 | 20–23 |
| Median reported incident mileage | — | 64,480 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | BMW 540I | Oldsmobile Alero |
|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 | 111 |
| Electrical System | 4 | 89 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 5 | 85 |
| Visibility | 0 | 56 |
| Suspension | 0 | 46 |
| Exterior Lighting | 0 | 43 |
| Power Train | 3 | 34 |
| Steering | 3 | 30 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Vibration / shaking | 0 | 38 |
| Overheating | 0 | 14 |
| Stalling | 0 | 12 |
| Won’t start | 0 | 9 |
| Brake problems | 0 | 8 |
| Check engine light | 0 | 7 |
| Rust / corrosion | 0 | 6 |
1999 BMW 540I
1999 Oldsmobile Alero
Compare all BMW 540I vs Oldsmobile Alero 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.