1998 BMW 540IA
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
These records cover every 1998 BMW 540IA. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 1998 BMW 540IA. Newest first.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. the differential pinion shaft within the differential case assembly was produced without the appropriate surface hardening. this can result in the shaft experiencing premature wear.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This condition will cause a noise from the differential and, ultimately, failure of the shaft and loss of drive.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the entire differential assembly.
Owner complaints
3 complaints
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
The inside door handles of my car (1998 BMW model 540ia) are constructed of low grade / fragile plastic material which breaks during normal usage. without a handle it IS very difficult to exit the vehicle. an extremely hazardous situation results when this handle has broken because in case of an…
The inside door handles of my car (1998 BMW model 540ia) are constructed of low grade / fragile plastic material which breaks during normal usage. without a handle it IS very difficult to exit the vehicle. an extremely hazardous situation results when this handle has broken because in case of an accident, a driver, or passenger, will be trapped in the vehicle. to escape, that person would have to crawl to the other side of the car or to the front/rear seat to open a door. in case of an injury from the accident this might not be possible. this hazardous situation IS a result of the manufacturers use of low quality materials in such an important component as the door handles used for emergency exit. a stronger material which IS not so easily broken should be used for these parts - such as steel.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly
Various problems involving 1998 BMW 540ia which was brought used. *mr BMW had been importing vehicles for sale, fitted with a radiator that had plastic ends as well as supply and return under approximately 21 p.s.i. these radiators suddenly ruptured under load while driving, causing the drivers to swerve on impulse at impact of the rupture. the radiator was likely to rupture at about 80K miles. *sc *jb
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly
Radiator failure. *jb
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10249437The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- 10160287TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.
- 10160244TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.
- 10154816In an effort to improve the completion rate on Takata air bag recall affected vehicles; BMW NA has expanded the BMW Ultimate Rewards platform to include a new Recall Support page. This page will allow IRFs to check their customers VINs for open Takata recalls; and get rewarded for helping us with completing repairs.
- 10153726Takata class action settlement. Customer support program. Front driver side airbag modules.
- 10152674Radio / Navigation / Head Unit Identification Guide
- 10149557For the above-referenced vehicles with driver?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?) will provide a Customer Support Program as outlined in the Takata Settlement Customer Support Program Overview attachment. This ?component-specific? customer support program applies only if there is a defect in materials or workmanship of the Takata driver?s side airbag module in a listed vehicle.
- 606694Information on programming ME7.2 engine control modules with cd 18.
- 604628Subject pertaining to dsp amplifier switching to
Every BMW 540IA model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.