SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

1997 BMW 540I

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
27Owner complaints

Model-year median: 8

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
8
199410
199527
199726
199822
199931
2000
Compare all 540I years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
13Electrical System
3Seat Belts
2Suspension
2Unknown Or Other
2
All reported categories
Vehicle Speed Control
2Air Bags
1Power Train
1Seats
1Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1Tires
1Visibility
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 18 of 27 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports2 fire reports1 injury reports

Suspension complaints

2 reports
Clear category filter
191,784 miles · Jun 21, 2004
Suspension

THE FRONT STRUT SPRING PERCH FAILED ON MY 1997 MODEL BMW 540I. THE PERCH CUT INTO TIRE. HIS HAPPENED AT LOW-SPEED, SO NO INJURIES RESULTED (LUCKILY).MW NA HAS ISSUED A RECALL, BUT MY VEHICLE SUPPOSEDLY IS NOT COVERED, I THINK IT MISSED BY TWO MONTHS. MY BUILD DATE IS 08/96. I CONTACTED BMW NA ON 6/21/04 AND SPOKE TO RYAN, I…

Read full complaint

THE FRONT STRUT SPRING PERCH FAILED ON MY 1997 MODEL BMW 540I. THE PERCH CUT INTO TIRE. HIS HAPPENED AT LOW-SPEED, SO NO INJURIES RESULTED (LUCKILY).MW NA HAS ISSUED A RECALL, BUT MY VEHICLE SUPPOSEDLY IS NOT COVERED, I THINK IT MISSED BY TWO MONTHS. MY BUILD DATE IS 08/96. I CONTACTED BMW NA ON 6/21/04 AND SPOKE TO RYAN, I WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL AND THAT BMW NA WOULD NOT REIMBURSE ME FOR THE DAMAGES. I HAVE DIGITAL PICTURES OF THE STRUT THAT I CAN EMAIL. I ALSO HAVE THE STRUTS THEMSELVES STILL IN MY GARAGE IF SOMEONE WOULD BE INTERESTED IN SEEING THEM. JOHN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10078548

43,000 miles · Jun 14, 2004
Suspension

DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM THE FRONT SPRING STRUT RECALL 04V183000 REPAIRS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED CUSTOMER SERVICE AND RECEIVED AN INSUFFICIENT REPLY. *AK *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10074067

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.