Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1998 BMW 540i, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling16
- Structure2
- Latches/locks/linkages2
- Parking brake1
- Power train1
- Suspension1
- Air bags1
- Steering1
- Visibility1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 1 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 3 1998 540i vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 2 people died inside them. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 2 variants: combined 13.0–14.4 L/100 km (about 16–18 mpg US), CO₂ 299–331 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 540i · Compact · Premium gasoline | 15.0 | 10.5 | 13.0 |
| 540i · Compact · Premium gasoline | 17.2 | 10.9 | 14.4 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What BMW told its dealers about the 1998 BMW 540i: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 606694 | INFORMATION ON PROGRAMMING ME7.2 ENGINE CONTROL MODULES WITH CD 18. *TT |
| 604628 | SUBJECT PERTAINING TO DSP AMPLIFIER SWITCHING TO |
| 600877 | ENGINE CRANKS, BUT WILL NOT START. *YC |
| 600874 | INFORMATION ON EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL AND FUEL FILLER CAP / FILLER DOOR LABELS. *YC |
| 600531 | INFORMATION AND PROCEDURES ON THE GARAGE DOOR OPENER. *YC |
| 600527 | SITUATION WITH THE TENSION ROD TEST GAUGE. *YC |
| 600434 | EXPERIENCING AN INTERMITTENT MOMENTARY EVENT WHERE THE BRAKE PEDAL DOES NOT IMMEDIATLELY RETURN. MODELS BUILT PRIOR TO 3/97 *DB*YC |
| 600433 | NEW EVAPORATIVE (CHARCOAL) CANISTER PURGE LINE. ALL E38 AND E39 MODELE INTRODUCED INTO PRODUCTION APPROXIMATELY 3/97 *DB*YC |
| 600431 | CONDITION WITH BRAKE PAD WARNING STAYS ILLUMINATED AFTER BRAKE PAD REPLACEMENT. *YC |
| 600300 | VARIOUS INFORMATION REGARDING DEACTIVATION OF AIRBAGS. *YC |
| 600226 | SUBJECT ON TANK VENTILATION LEAK COUPLERS. *YC |
| 10249437 | The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met. |
| 10160287 | TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018. |
| 10160244 | TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018. |
| 10154816 | In 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. |
| 10153726 | TAKATA CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT. CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM. FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG MODULES. |
| 10152674 | Radio / Navigation / Head Unit Identification Guide |
| 10149557 | For 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. |
| 10142928 | SERVICE ACTION: PROGRAM DME (FOR O2 SENSORS): Due to DME software error, the following oxygen sensors plausibility fault codes may be stored in DME 5.2.1 control module: |
| 10135028 | SERVICE ACTION: PROGRAM DME: The incorrect dataset could be programmed into DME 5.2.1 control module. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)