The 2000 BMW 540i has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 175,249 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 36 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS19V0150002019-01-14157,549 affected
Defect
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000-2003 525i Sedan, 530i Sedan, 540i Sedan, 2001-2003 525i Sports Wagon and 540i Sports Wagon vehicles, and 2000-2004 X5 SAV 3.0i, X5 SAV 4.4i, and X5 SAV 4.6is vehicles. This recall affects certain vehicles where the original steering wheel has been…
Consequence
An inflator explosion may result in sharp 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 vehicle for an optional sports steering wheel with an affected inflator. Dealers will replace the air bag module as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. …
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE LAMPS IN THESE VEHICLES ARE CONTROLLED BY A SWITCH ACTIVATED BY THE MOVEMENT OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS SWITCH COULD FAIL INTERNALLY, CAUSING IT TO REMAIN EITHER IN THE "BRAKE LAMPS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LAMPS ON" POSITION.
Consequence
IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LAMPS EITHER WILL NOT OPERATE OR WILL BE CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED, REGARDLESS OF BRAKE PEDAL POSITION.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LAMP SWITCH WITH AN IMPROVED SWITCH.
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS
5
1crashes2injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
4
1fires
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
3
1fires
ENGINE
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
2
1fires
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2
1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
1
Total complaints36
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The audio suddenly stops and my turn signals also stop working. When this happens when I'm in traffic, this is very frightening because I cannot signal lane changes or turns. Turning off the ignition and restarting the car always fixes the turn signals but only sometimes fixes the audio. It…”
“Car had sat for about a week since I had driven it. I opened the driver door, inserted the key, and turned the key to the starting position. It failed to crank after the dash lights lit up and then the driver steering wheel airbag deployed in my face. The car was on flat ground and the temperature…”
“I needed to move the car after it was sitting for about 3 weeks. It would not start due to the battery was run down. As soon as I started charging the battery, the front passenger airbag exploded causing extensive damage to the dashboard and windshield. Thank god my wife was not sitting in the…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 bmw 540i. The contact stated that while driving 10 mph, she heard a loud noise as metal shards started to fall from the engine compartment. The contact mentioned that the check engine and the coolant warning lamps were illuminated before the vehicle stalled. The contact…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 bmw 540i. The contact stated that the brake lights remained illuminated, causing them to overheat and melt the casing. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician advised that the vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 00v048000 (exterior…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 bmw 540i. The contact stated that after shifting into reverse, the engine seized without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis where it was advised that the vehicle experienced a hydro-lock failure. The vehicle was not repaired and…”
“Wiring harness in loom at connection between body and trunk lid is showing cracked wires which can lead to a variety of symptoms when wires short. Trunk will only open manually with key. Key fob remote and inside vehicle trunk release do not work. Trunk cannot be opened when doors are unlocked…”
“Wiring harness in loom at connection between body and trunk lid is showing cracked wires which can lead to a variety of symptoms when wires short. Trunk will only open manually with key. Key fob remote and inside vehicle trunk release do not work. Trunk cannot be opened when doors are unlocked…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2000 BMW 540i as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.