2001 BMW 540IA
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
These records cover every 2001 BMW 540IA. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 2001 BMW 540IA. Newest first.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the air bag control module. owner notification began november10, 2003. owners should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Remedy
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Remedy
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.
Owner complaints
7 complaints
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Air bags
TL* the contact owns a 2001 BMW 540ia. The contact stated that the recall notification for nhtsa campaign number: 17v047000 (air bags) was received in january of 2017. After taking the vehicle to the dealer the contact was informed that the air bag inflator was previously replaced in 2006 and did…
TL* the contact owns a 2001 BMW 540ia. The contact stated that the recall notification for nhtsa campaign number: 17v047000 (air bags) was received in january of 2017. After taking the vehicle to the dealer the contact was informed that the air bag inflator was previously replaced in 2006 and did not require another replacement. After reading the summary for the recall the contact discovered that if the air bag inflator was previously replaced due to a crash or as a recall remedy, the replacement air bag inflator may also experience a failure and needed to be replaced a second time. The contact then notified the manufacturer and was also informed that the vehicle would not be eligible for a second replacement inflator although the vin associated with the vehicle indicated the recall was outstanding. There was no failure mileage.
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Transmission from working perfect one day. and boom the next morning put it in reverse and it rolls back and revs as if it IS in neutral. *tr
- Electrical system › Wiring
I have a 2001 BMW 540ia [xxx] and all the external lights are gradually failing. In all cases the lights bulbs are ok. First the passenger side rear turn signal light failed, then the drivers side daylight running light, then the passenger side reversing light, then the passenger side brake light…
I have a 2001 BMW 540ia [xxx] and all the external lights are gradually failing. In all cases the lights bulbs are ok. First the passenger side rear turn signal light failed, then the drivers side daylight running light, then the passenger side reversing light, then the passenger side brake light, then drivers side high beam, then the drivers side front turn light etc. Failures were over approximately a 2 week period. The most disturbing thing IS the onboard computer IS showing all the external lights working correctly. My BMW mechanic tells me the fault IS in the onboard light control module (lcm). I consider a failure of this nature to be completely unacceptable in a 4 year old vehicle and a serious safety defect that has the potential to result in an accident. I have reported the problem to BMW na, so far they are not interested in investigating the problem. *nm updated 07/18/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6)
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly
Radiator cracked, disabling car on highway. also caused xenon lamp failure. replaced by dealer under warranty. this IS a well known defect on BMW E-39 series cars. *jb
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly
Water pump failure. Coolant leaking from shaft. radiator failure, drivers side top radiator nipple inlet cracked. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly
2001 BMW 540I automatic transmission; approximately 57,000 miles; radiator cracked spontaneously under normal driving conditions; significant steam resulting in obscurred view of the roadway and other vehicles; car taken to local repair center; awaiting cost estimate and full damage report. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Seat belts on passenger's and driver's sides are able to cut into consumer's neck. Contacted dealer, and dealer was suppose to fix problem on day of purchase. *Ak
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.
- 10247567Engine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel module (TFE) whendiagnosing with ISTA. The following two fault codes will be stored in the DME: 032B43 - Low fuel pressure system, electric fuel pump: pressure value too low CDA594 - Message (- 0x33E) missing, receiver DME, transmitter TFE
- 10245422Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicles equipment and settings, no acoustic or optical confirmation (folding the mirrors/blinking confirmation) is noticeable. Additionally, the red anti-theft alarm LED in the interior mirror does not briefly flash every 2 seconds, indicating the alarm is armed.
- 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.
- 10037025BMW: procedure for determining and replacing incandescent and halogen light bulbs under warranty.
- 10036979BMW: a new technical process has been created for BMW to identify causes of steering complaints with a wide range of models.
- 10033130BMW vehicles: fuel level sensor repairs. Where it IS necessary to replace the right or the left side fuel level sensor due to a failure, the entire pump and housing or delivery unit (suction jet assembly) do not need to be replaced as well. In some cases, epc does not show that the repair kit IS available separately in the illustration, but it IS available in the parts description. All models. No model years listed.
Every BMW 540IA model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.