RecallMyCar

BMW 540IAT Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 5 owner complaints across 3 model years of the BMW 540IAT (1999–2001). The most-complained-about year is 1999.

3
safety recalls, all years
5
owner complaints, all years
1999
year with most recalls
1999
year with most complaints

Pick your BMW 540IAT model year

Model yearRecallsComplaints
2001 BMW 540IAT10
2000 BMW 540IAT02
1999 BMW 540IAT23

What BMW 540IAT owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA. The 1999 model year has the most, with 3.

All BMW 540IAT recalls (3)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a BMW 540IAT, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

  1. Air bags: sensor/control module-inactive

    NHTSA 03V421000 Reported 23,000 vehicles potentially affected BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

    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.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the air bag control module. Owner notification began november10, 2003. Owners should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.

    Model years: 2001

  2. Cables (electrical system)

    NHTSA 99V004000 Reported 1,615 vehicles potentially affected BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

    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.

    Remedy: Dealers will apply a thickness of insulating tape to the cable in the area of the clip, and install a revised clip.

    Model years: 1999

  3. Automatic transmission (power train)

    NHTSA 99V005000 Reported 249 vehicles potentially affected BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

    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.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the automatic transmission.

    Model years: 1999

Other BMW models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.