1999 BMW 540IAT Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other 540IAT years
- Not enough data 1st of 3 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 2 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 BMW 540IAT. That is the most of any 540IAT model year in the database (3 years). The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (1 complaints, 33%), typically at around 61,000 miles. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 3owner complaints
- 2safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1999 BMW 540IAT problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 33% | 61,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 1 | 33% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 33% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1999 BMW 540IAT recalls (2)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery:cables
Problem: 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.
Risk: The cable insulation can be worn away, exposing the wire. The wire could contact the clip or a short circuit could occur.
Fix: Dealers will apply a thickness of insulating tape to the cable in the area of the clip, and install a revised clip.
Power train:automatic transmission
Problem: 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.
Risk: If this problem occurs, the car may no longer operate in reverse, 1st, 2nd, or 3rd gears.
Fix: Dealers will replace the automatic transmission.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Complete abs failure while traveling at speeds. The abs control module controlled each wheel differently at different times, causing the car to buck wildly at highway safe speeds. While braking, the controller went bad (was reported to dealer previously and told it was the brake pads - changed and…
Radiator failure on 1999 540 touring - disables the vehicle no matter where you are from rush hour traffic where the panic could endanger other drivers, to the middle of nowhere in the dead of winter by yourself. *ak - steam from failed radiator blocks vision of the road, or whatever else is in the…
I have experienced an occasional hard downshift or clunk when slowing my vehicle and then briskly accelerating. This is very similar to the problem reported in service bulletin number 240300.*ak
Other BMW 540IAT years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 540IAT | 0 | 1 |
| 2000 540IAT | 2 | 0 |
| 1999 | 3 | 2 |
See all BMW 540IAT problems by year, every BMW model, or the BMW VIN decoder.
Similar BMW models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1999 BMW 540IAT?
Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, power train, service brakes, hydraulic problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 1 complaint.
Was there a recall on the 1999 BMW 540IAT?
Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1999 BMW 540IAT a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other 540IAT model years, the 1999 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.