NHTSA vehicle safety data

2001 BMW 540IA Recalls & Complaints

The 2001 BMW 540IA has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 7 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2001 BMW 540IA. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2001 BMW 540IA owner complaints

Owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 BMW 540IA, describing incidents dated February 5, 2001 to January 2, 2017.

Most-cited components

Engine 3 complaints
Air Bags 1 complaint
Electrical System 1 complaint
Power Train 1 complaint
Seat Belts 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #10985897 · Filed May 16, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 540IA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V047000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN JANUARY OF 2017. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAG INFLATOR WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED IN 2006 AND DID…
ODI #10290392 · Filed October 30, 2009
TRANSMISSION FROM WORKING PERFECT ONE DAY. AND BOOM THE NEXT MORNING PUT IT IN REVERSE AND IT ROLLS BACK AND REVS AS IF IT IS IN NEUTRAL. *TR
ODI #10136918 · Filed September 19, 2005
I HAVE A 2001 BMW 540IA [XXX] AND ALL THE EXTERNAL LIGHTS ARE GRADUALLY FAILING. IN ALL CASES THE LIGHTS BULBS ARE OK. FIRST THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TURN SIGNAL LIGHT FAILED, THEN THE DRIVERS SIDE DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHT, THEN THE PASSENGER SIDE REVERSING LIGHT, THEN THE PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT…

Read all 7 complaints

BMW/AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE

NHTSA #03V421000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Sensor/Control Module-Inactive · NHTSA notice

Reported October 24, 2003 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

Potentially affected: 23,000 vehicles

Owners notified November 10, 2003 · Vehicles built January 1, 2001 – August 31, 2001 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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 THESE COMPONENTS.

Safety consequence

UNEXPECTED DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG(S) COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY IF AN OCCUPANT IS TOO CLOSE TO THE DEPLOYING AIR BAG(S). IN ADDITION, THE BATTERY SAFETY TERMINAL MAY ALSO BE ACTIVATED. IF THAT HAPPENS, THE STARTER CABLE WOULD BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM THE BATTERY, AND THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER10, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Notes

CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

BMW/ENGINE AUXILIARY/COOLING FAN

NHTSA #02V138000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Cooling System — Fan · NHTSA notice

Reported May 16, 2002 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

Potentially affected: 1,550 vehicles

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, ENGINE OVERHEATING AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE DAMAGE COULD RESULT. IN ADDITION, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY TO CAUSE A FIRE IN THE FAN CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FAN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 28, 2001. THIS IS A SUPPLEMENT TO A RECALL THAT BEGAN DURING SEPTEMBER 2001 (SEE RECALL CAMPAIGN 01V206). OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

BMW/ENGINE AUXILIARY/COOLING FAN

NHTSA #01V206000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Cooling System — Fan · NHTSA notice

Reported June 21, 2001 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

Potentially affected: 76,469 vehicles

Owners notified September 28, 2001 · Vehicles built January 16, 2001 – June 18, 2001 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FAN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 28, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2001 BMW 540IA. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

7 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2001 BMW 540IA.

Air Bags

ODI #10985897

Incident: January 2, 2017 · Filed: May 16, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 540IA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V047000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN JANUARY OF 2017. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAG INFLATOR WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED IN 2006 AND DID NOT REQUIRE ANOTHER REPLACEMENT. AFTER READING THE SUMMARY FOR THE RECALL THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT IF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED DUE TO A CRASH OR AS A RECALL REMEDY, THE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG INFLATOR MAY ALSO EXPERIENCE A FAILURE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED A SECOND TIME. THE CONTACT THEN NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR A SECOND REPLACEMENT INFLATOR ALTHOUGH THE VIN ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE INDICATED THE RECALL WAS OUTSTANDING. THERE WAS NO FAILURE MILEAGE.

Power Train

ODI #10290392

Incident: October 29, 2001 · Filed: October 30, 2009

TRANSMISSION FROM WORKING PERFECT ONE DAY. AND BOOM THE NEXT MORNING PUT IT IN REVERSE AND IT ROLLS BACK AND REVS AS IF IT IS IN NEUTRAL. *TR

Electrical System

ODI #10136918

Incident: September 7, 2005 · Filed: September 19, 2005

I HAVE A 2001 BMW 540IA [XXX] AND ALL THE EXTERNAL LIGHTS ARE GRADUALLY FAILING. IN ALL CASES THE LIGHTS BULBS ARE OK. FIRST THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TURN SIGNAL LIGHT FAILED, THEN THE DRIVERS SIDE DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHT, THEN THE PASSENGER SIDE REVERSING LIGHT, THEN THE PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT, THEN DRIVERS SIDE HIGH BEAM, THEN THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT TURN LIGHT ETC. FAILURES WERE OVER APPROXIMATELY A 2 WEEK PERIOD. THE MOST DISTURBING THING IS THE ONBOARD COMPUTER IS SHOWING ALL THE EXTERNAL LIGHTS WORKING CORRECTLY. MY BMW MECHANIC TELLS ME THE FAULT IS IN THE ONBOARD LIGHT CONTROL MODULE (LCM). I CONSIDER A FAILURE OF THIS NATURE TO BE COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE IN A 4 YEAR OLD VEHICLE AND A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO BMW NA, SO FAR THEY ARE NOT INTERESTED IN INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEM. *NM UPDATED 07/18/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10109932

Incident: February 2, 2005 · Filed: February 6, 2005

RADIATOR CRACKED, DISABLING CAR ON HIGHWAY. ALSO CAUSED XENON LAMP FAILURE. REPLACED BY DEALER UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN DEFECT ON BMW E-39 SERIES CARS. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10102288

Incident: December 7, 2004 · Filed: December 7, 2004

WATER PUMP FAILURE. COOLANT LEAKING FROM SHAFT. RADIATOR FAILURE, DRIVERS SIDE TOP RADIATOR NIPPLE INLET CRACKED. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10100661

Incident: November 28, 2004 · Filed: November 28, 2004

2001 BMW 540I AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION; APPROXIMATELY 57,000 MILES; RADIATOR CRACKED SPONTANEOUSLY UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS; SIGNIFICANT STEAM RESULTING IN OBSCURRED VIEW OF THE ROADWAY AND OTHER VEHICLES; CAR TAKEN TO LOCAL REPAIR CENTER; AWAITING COST ESTIMATE AND FULL DAMAGE REPORT. *AK

Seat Belts

ODI #886615

Incident: February 5, 2001 · Filed: April 24, 2001

SEAT BELTS ON PASSENGER'S AND DRIVER'S SIDES ARE ABLE TO CUT INTO CONSUMER'S NECK. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS SUPPOSE TO FIX PROBLEM ON DAY OF PURCHASE. *AK

Other BMW 540IA model years

Check your 2001 BMW 540IA VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW 540IA at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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