TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 540I. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 1 MPH IN THE DRIVEWAY, THERE WAS A LOUD ROARING NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IMMEDIATELY, THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE RADIATOR FAN BLADES DETACHED, DENTED THE HOOD, WHICH CAUSED THE PAINT TO PEEL AND THEN FELL TO THE GROUND.. THE FAILURE MILEAGE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 540I. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 1 MPH IN THE DRIVEWAY, THERE WAS A LOUD ROARING NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IMMEDIATELY, THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE RADIATOR FAN BLADES DETACHED, DENTED THE HOOD, WHICH CAUSED THE PAINT TO PEEL AND THEN FELL TO THE GROUND.. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF TOWING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 111,000.
NHTSA ODI #10366668
109,000 miles · Oct 26, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFire
ENGINE FIRE: ELECTRONIC THERMOSTAT WIRES OVERHEATED AND CAUSED WIRES AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS TO BURN. SMOKE ENTERED THE CABIN WHILE DRIVING AND VEHICLE PERFORMANCE HAS BEEN DEGRADED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10362407
68,000 miles · May 20, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM THE RADIATOR. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10073963
62,000 miles · Nov 13, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
RADIATOR FAILURE (BLOCKED). *LA
NHTSA ODI #10046866
57,135 miles · Nov 11, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
RADIATOR FAILURE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10045940
58,900 miles · Oct 28, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
WATER PUMP FAILURE.THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT THAT INVOLVES A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF THE E39 540I BMW. THE FAILURE OF THE PUMP IS KNOWN TO HAPPEN BETWEEN 5000-60000 MILES AND CAN PUT THE DRIVER IN DANGER AND CAUSE UNNECESSARY EXPENSIVE REPAIRS TO BE INCURRED ON A CAR OF THIS CALIBER. THE WATER PUMP FAILURE IN MY CASE DESTROYED THE MAIN …
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WATER PUMP FAILURE.THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT THAT INVOLVES A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF THE E39 540I BMW. THE FAILURE OF THE PUMP IS KNOWN TO HAPPEN BETWEEN 5000-60000 MILES AND CAN PUT THE DRIVER IN DANGER AND CAUSE UNNECESSARY EXPENSIVE REPAIRS TO BE INCURRED ON A CAR OF THIS CALIBER. THE WATER PUMP FAILURE IN MY CASE DESTROYED THE MAIN DRIVE BELT LEAVING ME WITH OUT POWER STEERING, BRAKES, ALTERNATOR ETC. E39 OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS EXPERIENCE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIRS AND COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FAULTY DESIGN AND PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE WATER PUMP AND COOLING SYSTEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10043755
45,000 miles · Jul 29, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
BMW 2000 540I, V8, FAILURE (CRACKED, LOSS OF COOLANT) OF UPPER RADIATOR HOSE CONNECTOR. I HAD 3 1/2 YRS/45,000 MILES ON THE CAR. PLASTIC COMPONENT WIDELY KNOWN AMONG OWNERS TO BE PRONE TO FAILURE. THANKS TO THEIR ADVICE ON WARNING SIGNS, I WAS ABLE TO STOP UNDER CONTROL AND GET REPAIR WITHOUT MAJOR INCIDENT; OTHER UNSUSPECTING…
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BMW 2000 540I, V8, FAILURE (CRACKED, LOSS OF COOLANT) OF UPPER RADIATOR HOSE CONNECTOR. I HAD 3 1/2 YRS/45,000 MILES ON THE CAR. PLASTIC COMPONENT WIDELY KNOWN AMONG OWNERS TO BE PRONE TO FAILURE. THANKS TO THEIR ADVICE ON WARNING SIGNS, I WAS ABLE TO STOP UNDER CONTROL AND GET REPAIR WITHOUT MAJOR INCIDENT; OTHER UNSUSPECTING DRIVERS HAVE BEEN, AND WILL BE, LESS FORTUNATE. TO BMW'S CREDIT, THEY REPLACED MY RADIATOR UNDER WARRANTY. BUT THIS DOES NOT EXCUSE A KNOWN DESIGN DEFICIENCY.*AK
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000-2003 525i Sedan, 530i Sedan, 540i Sedan, 2001-2003 525i Sports Wagon and 540i Sports Wagon vehicles, and 2000-2004 X5 SAV 3.0i, X5 SAV 4.4i, and X5 SAV 4.6is vehicles. This recall affects certain vehicles where the original steering wheel has been replaced with the optional sports steering wheel. The sports steering wheel has a frontal air bag inflator that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle for an optional sports steering wheel with an affected inflator. Dealers will replace the air bag module as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE LAMPS IN THESE VEHICLES ARE CONTROLLED BY A SWITCH ACTIVATED BY THE MOVEMENT OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS SWITCH COULD FAIL INTERNALLY, CAUSING IT TO REMAIN EITHER IN THE "BRAKE LAMPS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LAMPS ON" POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LAMPS EITHER WILL NOT OPERATE OR WILL BE CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED, REGARDLESS OF BRAKE PEDAL POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LAMP SWITCH WITH AN IMPROVED SWITCH.
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
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No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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