US vehicle recalls and complaint patterns, explained

BMW 540iA recall history

Comprehensive recall and complaint data for the BMW 540iA, sourced from official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records.

Last updated: (NHTSA data snapshot)

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At a Glance

Total Recalls 14
Total Complaints 48
Years Covered 1989–2002

Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards. Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.

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Important: This assistant provides context from aggregated NHTSA data. Always check your specific VIN on NHTSA.gov for vehicle-specific recall information.

Key Takeaways

A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the BMW 540iA, based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.

Recall Themes

Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas. Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.

Engine and cooling

3 campaigns · Years: 1989–1995, 2001

These campaigns relate to engine or cooling components where failures can lead to stalling or overheating risk.

Official notices (evidence):

Powertrain

2 campaigns · Years: 1998–1999

These campaigns relate to drivetrain or transmission components that can affect shifting, power delivery, or control.

Official notices (evidence):

Airbags

1 campaign · Years: 2001

These campaigns relate to airbag system components and deployment/airbag readiness issues.

Official notices (evidence):
  • 03V421000 · Air bags: Sensor/control module-inactive

Electrical

1 campaign · Years: 1999

These campaigns relate to wiring or electrical components that can cause warning lights, loss of function, or fire risk in some cases.

Official notices (evidence):

Equipment and labeling

1 campaign · Years: 2002

These campaigns relate to equipment compliance, labeling, or tires.

Official notices (evidence):

Most Reported Issues

Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the BMW 540iA in NHTSA complaint data are Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:radiator assembly, Engine and engine cooling:cooling system, Power train:automatic transmission.

Jump to Model Year

Year-by-Year Overview

Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and complaints, not risk predictions.

Model Year Recalls Complaints Details
2002 1 3 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train:automatic transmission, Electrical system, Seats.
2001 3 8 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:radiator assembly, Seat belts:front:retractor, Electrical system:wiring.
2000 0 8 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:radiator assembly, Power train:automatic transmission, Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan.
1999 2 11 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:radiator assembly, Engine and engine cooling:cooling system, Exterior lighting:headlights.
1998 1 3 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:radiator assembly, Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch.
1997 0 15 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:radiator assembly, Engine and engine cooling:cooling system, Engine and engine cooling:engine.
1995 1 0 Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1994 1 0 Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1993 1 0 Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1992 1 0 Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1991 1 0 Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1990 1 0 Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1989 1 0 Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.

What to Do Next

Check Your VIN on NHTSA.gov

Recall Evidence by Year

A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model. The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.

Most common areas involved: Engine and engine cooling , Power train and Tires

Show recall evidence by year

2002

  • Tires: Sidewall: Safety recall involving the tires area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (01V352000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Vehicle description: during the tire mounting process on certain passenger vehicles built with standard (non-sport) suspension and equipped with continental contitouringcontact ch95 ecoplus tires, size 225/65r16 95h, having dot codes 4001, 4101, or 4201, the outer sidewall surface of the tires ma

2001

  • Engine and engine cooling: Fan: Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (01V206000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The engine auxiliary/cooling fan operation, including variable speed, is electronically controlled. Failure of the fan motor can cause the electrical circuitry of the fan control unit to overload and fail, causing the fan to stop operating.
  • Engine and engine cooling: Fan: Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (02V138000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: On certain passenger vehicles, the engine auxiliary/cooling fan operation, including variable speed, is electronically controlled. Failure of the fan motor can cause the electrical circuitry of the fan control unit to overload and fail, causing the fan to stop operating.
  • Air bags: Sensor/control module-inactive: Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (03V421000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: On certain passenger vehicles, a microprocessor in the air bag control module, which activates the front air bags, the side air bags, the front seat safety belt pretensioners, and the battery safety terminal, may have a malfunction that could lead to an unintended activation of one or more of the

1999

  • Electrical system: Cables: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (99V004000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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.
  • Power train: Automatic transmission: Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (99V005000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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.

1998

  • Power train: Differential unit: Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (98V142000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The differential pinion shaft within the differential case assembly was produced without the appropriate surface hardening. This can result in the shaft experiencing premature wear.

1995

  • Engine and engine cooling: Cooling system: Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (98V178000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A malfunction or failure of a coolant system component, such as a thermostat, water pump, or fan belt, can result in significantly increased coolant temperature and system pressure. If the indications of a critical overheating condition is not noticed by t

1994

  • Engine and engine cooling: Cooling system: Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (98V178000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A malfunction or failure of a coolant system component, such as a thermostat, water pump, or fan belt, can result in significantly increased coolant temperature and system pressure. If the indications of a critical overheating condition is not noticed by t

1993

  • Engine and engine cooling: Cooling system: Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (98V178000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A malfunction or failure of a coolant system component, such as a thermostat, water pump, or fan belt, can result in significantly increased coolant temperature and system pressure. If the indications of a critical overheating condition is not noticed by t

1992

  • Engine and engine cooling: Cooling system: Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (98V178000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A malfunction or failure of a coolant system component, such as a thermostat, water pump, or fan belt, can result in significantly increased coolant temperature and system pressure. If the indications of a critical overheating condition is not noticed by t

1991

  • Engine and engine cooling: Cooling system: Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (98V178000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A malfunction or failure of a coolant system component, such as a thermostat, water pump, or fan belt, can result in significantly increased coolant temperature and system pressure. If the indications of a critical overheating condition is not noticed by t

1990

  • Engine and engine cooling: Cooling system: Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (98V178000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A malfunction or failure of a coolant system component, such as a thermostat, water pump, or fan belt, can result in significantly increased coolant temperature and system pressure. If the indications of a critical overheating condition is not noticed by t

1989

  • Engine and engine cooling: Cooling system: Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (98V178000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A malfunction or failure of a coolant system component, such as a thermostat, water pump, or fan belt, can result in significantly increased coolant temperature and system pressure. If the indications of a critical overheating condition is not noticed by t

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⚠️ Important Safety Information

Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data. This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.

For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.

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