Bmw 540i 2001
Model 540i made in 2001 by Bmw got 12 consumer complains there are 3 recalls as well as 6 service bulletins. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to air bags, electrical system and power train. Technical service bulletines regarding exterior lighting, steering. There were some recalls concerningair bags, engine and engine cooling. The car has 2 modeles with engines 4.4, 4.4, guzzler.
Model 2001
| Engine [L] | Cylinders | Transmission | Drive | Estimate MPG (city/highway/combined) | Unadjusted MPG (city/highway/combined) | Fuel | Fuel cost | Class | Release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.4 | 8 | Lockup/automatic, 5 gears | R | 18/24/20 | 20,0000/30,9000/23,7738 | Premium | 1162 | COMPACT CARS | |
| 4.4, Guzzler | 8 | Manual, 6 gears | R | 15/23/18 | 17,1994/29,1499/21,0902 | Premium | 1293 | COMPACT CARS | |
| 4.4, Guzzler | 8 | Semiautomatic, 5 gears | R | 15/21/18 | 17,2000/26,7717/20,4979 | Premium | 1293 | COMPACT CARS |
Recalls
| Campaign | Manufacturer | Manufacturing date | Type | # of units affected | Date Owner notified Mfg | Recall Initiated by | Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products | Report Recieved Date | Record Creation Date | Regulation Part Number | FMVSS Number | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS - FRONTAL - SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE | ||||||||||||||||
| 03V421000 | BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE | from 01/01/2001 to 08/31/2001 | V (Vehicle) | 23000 | 11/10/2003 | MFR | BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE | 10/24/2003 | 10/30/2003 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | 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. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | 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. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | 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 | |||||||||||||||
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - FAN | ||||||||||||||||
| 01V206000 | BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE | from 01/16/2001 to 06/18/2001 | V (Vehicle) | 76469 | 09/28/2001 | MFR | BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE | 06/21/2001 | 07/02/2001 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | 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. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | 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. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | 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). | |||||||||||||||
| 02V138000 | BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE | V (Vehicle) | 1550 | MFR | BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE | 05/16/2002 | 05/20/2002 | |||||||||
| Defect Summary | 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. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | 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. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | 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). | |||||||||||||||
Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | |||||
| SIB-63-02-01 | 08/01/2010 | 10037025 | Ready | 04/27/2011 | |
| SIB-63-02-01 | 08/01/2010 | 10037025 | Bmw: procedure for determining and replacing incandescent and halogen light bulbs under warranty. *rm | 04/27/2011 | |
| STEERING - ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | |||||
| SIB-32-04-07 | 06/01/2010 | 10036979 | Ready | 04/25/2011 | |
| SIB-32-04-07 | 06/01/2010 | 10036979 | Bmw: a new technical process has been created for bmw to identify causes of steering complaints with a wide range of models. *rm | 04/25/2011 | |
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | |||||
| SIB-32-04-07 | 06/01/2010 | 10036979 | Ready | 04/25/2011 | |
| SIB-32-04-07 | 06/01/2010 | 10036979 | Bmw: a new technical process has been created for bmw to identify causes of steering complaints with a wide range of models. *rm | 04/25/2011 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS - SIDE/WINDOW | |||
| 03/23/2001 | 1 | 10/01/2000 | |
| Consumer was traveling 60mph on interstate and side/ top airbags exploded. after they exploded, warning lights came on and vehicle lost power. dealer gave consumer a loaner car . consumer's vehicle was being inspected.*ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||
| 05/16/2010 | 98000 | ||
| 3rd (high) tail light bulb and socket overheats and melts, rendering the light inoperable and possibly causing a fire hazard. | |||
| 03/10/2009 | 1 | ||
| Electrical short in faulty thermostat caused all wiring to melt and lead to a damage of main computer. *tr | |||
| 10/24/2002 | 127 | 10/04/2001 | |
| Bmw 540i electrical problems / damage to internal heating and electrical equipment. they pose a hazard due to extreme temperature change in the car interior. the hot / and cold sensation leaves the driver feeling sick / nauseous. | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION | |||
| 01/15/2002 | |||
| Vehicle fails to start. towed to dealer. unable to locate source of problem. please provide further details.*ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING | |||
| 10/24/2002 | 127 | 10/04/2001 | |
| Bmw 540i electrical problems / damage to internal heating and electrical equipment. they pose a hazard due to extreme temperature change in the car interior. the hot / and cold sensation leaves the driver feeling sick / nauseous. | |||
| POWER TRAIN | |||
| 02/06/2011 | 73263 | ||
| 2001 bmw 540i reverse gear failure on zf 5hp24 (a5s 440z) transmission. my bmw will no longer engage reverse, car feels like it is still in neutral. | |||
| POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | |||
| 02/05/2009 | 84000 | 1 | |
| On my 2001 bmw 540i with 84000 miles when the car is put into reverse it will not reverse just fills like it is in neutral. *tr | |||
| 12/03/2005 | 70000 | 2 | 11/01/2000 |
| I own a 2001 bmw 540i. i will put the car in drive, the car will move really slow, as i give it a little gas to go, the car will only rev up then jump into gear. this will cause a very strong jerk to the car. the car only has 70,000 miles, i feel that it is much too soon for a $65,000 car transmission to go bad. i took the car to bmw to find out that i need to replace the transmission. (cost $5600) i have not fix the car in hope that i will find a solution for bmw to fix it. *nm | |||
Car dealers selling
| State | City | Zip | Name | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00 | SAN FRANCISCO | 94103 | SAN FRANCISCO BMW | 888.692.6973 |
| CA | CONCORD | 94553 | BMW CONCORD | 925-682-3577 |