Bmw 540i 2002
Model 540i made in 2002 by Bmw got 24 consumer complains as well as 6 service bulletins. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to electrical system and engine. Technical service bulletines regarding exterior lighting and steering. The car has 2 modeles with engines 4.4 and 4.4, guzzler.
Model 2002
| 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 | 20/30.9/23.7738 | Premium | 1238 | COMPACT CARS | |
| 4.4, Guzzler | 8 | Manual, 6 gears | R | 15/23/18 | 17.1994/29.1499/21.0902 | Premium | 1376 | COMPACT CARS | |
| 4.4, Guzzler | 8 | Semiautomatic, 5 gears | R | 15/21/17 | 17.1107/26.8392/20.4457 | Premium | 1455 | COMPACT CARS |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||
| 09/30/2012 | 76854 | 1 | |
| I was driving in stop and go traffic when i noticed the steering felt a little stiffer than usual. after about 5 miles and better flowing traffic i pulled into a restaurant for dinner when my upper radiator hose exploded. i pulled into a stall and opened the hood to inspect what happened. the hose was very apparent and after further investigation i noticed the power steering pumps pulley at a very sharp angle compared to linear with the serpentine belt. i can only assume that from the bracket on the pump breaking, it caused a chain reaction of events. first the bracket brocket putting the pump at a steep angle n forcing the belt to go off track which then caused all the other accessories to be disabled including the water pump which overheated the car. *tr | |||
| 09/30/2012 | 76854 | ||
| I was driving in stop and go traffic when i noticed the steering felt a little stiffer than usual. after about 5 miles and better flowing traffic i pulled into a restaurant for dinner when my upper radiator hose exploded. i pulled into a stall and opened the hood to inpect what happened. the hose was very apparent and after further investigation i noticed the power steering pumps pulley at a very sharp angle compared to linear with the serpentine belt. i can only assume that from the bracket on the pump breaking, it caused a chain reaction of events. first the bracket brocket putting the pump at a steep angle n forcing the belt to go off track which then caused all the other accesories to be disabled including the water pump which overheated the car. | |||
| 06/01/2011 | 105000 | ||
| Multiple instances of no start. every time the car was towed to a bmw specialist who over and over again diagnosed completely drained battery, but charging system was ok. i have just found out that bmw has been recalling 2003-2010 models with the exact same defect. | |||
| 10/17/2009 | 41000 | 1 | |
| Apparent computer malfunction caused windows to fog up, clock to fail, directional signals to fail and the engine to refuse to restart. also, the dash display and brake lights remained on even with the ignition key removed. disconnecting the battery, waiting about one hour, reconnecting the battery restored normal operation. *tr | |||
| ENGINE | |||
| 09/30/2012 | 76854 | 1 | |
| I was driving in stop and go traffic when i noticed the steering felt a little stiffer than usual. after about 5 miles and better flowing traffic i pulled into a restaurant for dinner when my upper radiator hose exploded. i pulled into a stall and opened the hood to inspect what happened. the hose was very apparent and after further investigation i noticed the power steering pumps pulley at a very sharp angle compared to linear with the serpentine belt. i can only assume that from the bracket on the pump breaking, it caused a chain reaction of events. first the bracket brocket putting the pump at a steep angle n forcing the belt to go off track which then caused all the other accessories to be disabled including the water pump which overheated the car. *tr | |||
| 09/30/2012 | 76854 | ||
| I was driving in stop and go traffic when i noticed the steering felt a little stiffer than usual. after about 5 miles and better flowing traffic i pulled into a restaurant for dinner when my upper radiator hose exploded. i pulled into a stall and opened the hood to inpect what happened. the hose was very apparent and after further investigation i noticed the power steering pumps pulley at a very sharp angle compared to linear with the serpentine belt. i can only assume that from the bracket on the pump breaking, it caused a chain reaction of events. first the bracket brocket putting the pump at a steep angle n forcing the belt to go off track which then caused all the other accesories to be disabled including the water pump which overheated the car. | |||
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - STORAGE - TANK ASSEMBLY | |||
| There is a constant fuel leak under the vehicle causing engine check light to illuminate.*ak | |||
| OTHER | |||
| There is a constant fuel leak under the vehicle causing engine check light to illuminate.*ak | |||
| STEERING | |||
| 09/30/2012 | 76854 | 1 | |
| I was driving in stop and go traffic when i noticed the steering felt a little stiffer than usual. after about 5 miles and better flowing traffic i pulled into a restaurant for dinner when my upper radiator hose exploded. i pulled into a stall and opened the hood to inspect what happened. the hose was very apparent and after further investigation i noticed the power steering pumps pulley at a very sharp angle compared to linear with the serpentine belt. i can only assume that from the bracket on the pump breaking, it caused a chain reaction of events. first the bracket brocket putting the pump at a steep angle n forcing the belt to go off track which then caused all the other accessories to be disabled including the water pump which overheated the car. *tr | |||
| 09/30/2012 | 76854 | ||
| I was driving in stop and go traffic when i noticed the steering felt a little stiffer than usual. after about 5 miles and better flowing traffic i pulled into a restaurant for dinner when my upper radiator hose exploded. i pulled into a stall and opened the hood to inpect what happened. the hose was very apparent and after further investigation i noticed the power steering pumps pulley at a very sharp angle compared to linear with the serpentine belt. i can only assume that from the bracket on the pump breaking, it caused a chain reaction of events. first the bracket brocket putting the pump at a steep angle n forcing the belt to go off track which then caused all the other accesories to be disabled including the water pump which overheated the car. | |||
| 08/05/2010 | 130000 | ||
| 1. events leading up to failure: i drove the car 5min and parked for 30 minute lunch. when i started the car, the power steering failed immediately and i couldn't turn the wheel. 2. the failure, frequency, consequences: power steering pump mounting brackets fractured near the bolts that retain the part to the chassis. the pump swung loose, allowing the belt to jump. the tensioner pulleys were damaged. my mechanic is unaware of other incidences, though i found documented reports of the same failure with photos at this site: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=323318 fortunately, this steering failure happened at no speed. if i had been driving, the failure could cause loss of steering, which would be especially dangerous before a turn on a mountain road. i commute in the mountains daily. 3. what was done to correct the failure labor service - original checkout 73.00 belts came off pulleys: belts came off pulleys: the power steering pump broke loose from its mounting tabs. the power steering supply and return hoses are leaking, the fan belts are damaged ,and the fan belt tensioner pulleys are noisy. recommend to replace these items. see quote below. labor service - power steering pump 1,093.00 labor service - power steering supply and return hoses and fluid flush 534.00 labor service - fan belts 280.00 labor service - tensioner pulleys 618.00 | |||