Known Recalls

Model year record

1999 BMW 540I

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 29 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V004000

Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables

Component
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables
Manufacturer
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Vehicles affected
1,615
Reported to NHTSA
1999-01-04
Owners notified
1999-02-26

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THE CABLE INSULATION CAN BE WORN AWAY, EXPOSING THE WIRE. THE WIRE COULD CONTACT THE CLIP OR A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL APPLY A THICKNESS OF INSULATING TAPE TO THE CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE CLIP, AND INSTALL A REVISED CLIP.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system470,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly354,000 mi
Steering3176,009 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system260,590 mi
Latches/locks/linkages2135,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission216,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip266,896 mi
Air bags1189,000 mi
Air bags: side/window1—
Electronic stability control (ESC)1—
Electronic stability control: automatic (ASC)172,000 mi
Engine170,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control160,590 mi
Power train170,000 mi
Service brakes1188,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module1109,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt140,000 mi
Visibility/wiper1189,000 mi

The 1998 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2000 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.