How many recalls does the 2001 BMW 540 have?

The 2001 BMW 540 has 1 NHTSA safety recall campaign on record.

How do I check if my 2001 BMW 540 has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 2001 BMW 540?

Of 5 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is air bags.

2001 BMW 540 Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2001 BMW 540 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 230,117 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

AIR BAGS 17V047000 2017-01-20 230,117 affected

Defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2002 BMW 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 323Ci, 325Ci, 330Ci, M3, 323iT, 325iT and 325xiT vehicles, 2001-2002 525i, 530i, 540i, M5, 525iT and 540iT vehicles, and 2001-2003 X5 3.0i, X5 4.4i, and X5 4.6is vehicles. These vehicles may have had a…

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver side air bag module, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 15, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

STEERING

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

Total complaints5

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Dealership in concord california has been trying to delay repairing my vehicle airbag even after appointment. Did not even start fixing my vehicle after waiting 5 plus hours.”

AIR BAGS · reported 2017-09-22

“I was driving along and I heard a "pang" sound followed by a loss of power steering, a moment later my battery light came on. I was able to get the car to a safe stopping place to be towed before the lost belt that followed overheated me. Pump snapped in at least one place making the pulley…”

STEERING · reported 2012-12-01

“Dt*: the contact stated while driving a round rock of 4-5 inches in diameter was drove over and struck the front air dam right of the center. As a result, the driver side curtain air bag and the driver side head protection air bag deployed. The manufacturer was alerted and the contact is waiting…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2006-05-11

“Radiator failed at 40k miles in middle of rush hour traffic,obscuring vision while driving between many cars and then stranding car fat dangerous interchange. *nlm”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY · reported 2003-06-17

“Accelerator pedal stcks when foot pressure is released. Response of accelerator is very quick. Dealer was notified. *ak gas pedal stuttering/ binding condition is worse when vehicle is out in sun for a few hours. Dealer replaced pedal three times. *tt”

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL · reported 2002-02-01

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2001 BMW 540 as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.