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1998 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 →
26Owner complaints

Model-year median: 8

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
10
199527
199726
199822
199931
200015
2001
Compare all 540I years →

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

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
16Latches/locks/linkages
2Structure
2Air Bags
1Parking Brake
1
All reported categories
Power Train
1Steering
1Suspension
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: 14 of 26 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 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. 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 reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

Structure complaints

2 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2000
Structure

HANDLES (2 INCIDENTS) BROKE OFF IN THE NORMAL ACTION OF OPENING THE DOOR. NOTHING EXTRAORDINARY ABOUT THE SITUATION. SEEMS A VERY CHEAP COMPONENT ON A VERY SAFETY CONSCIOUS VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #716738

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Structure

INTERIOR DOOR LATCH/HANDLE BROKEN AND FELL OFF OF DOOR, MUST BE OPENED FROM THE EXTERIOR. MJS

NHTSA ODI #605962

Official recalls

1

98V142000 · Power Train:driveline:differential Unit

Jun 22, 1998

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.