1997 Bmw 540i problems
The BMW E39 is the fourth generation of the BMW 5 Series range of executive cars, which was manufactured from 1995 to 2004. It was launched in the sedan body style, with the station wagon body style (marketed as "Touring") introduced in 1996. The E39 was replaced by the E60 5 Series in 2003, however E39 Touring models remained in production until May 2004.
The proportion of chassis components using aluminium significantly increased for the E39, and it was the first 5 Series to use aluminium for all major components in the front suspension or any in the rear. It was also the first 5 Series where a four-cylinder diesel engine was available. Rack and pinion steering was used for four- and six-cylinder models, the first time that a 5 Series has used this steering system in significant volumes. Unlike its E34 predecessor and E60 successor, the E39 was not available with all-wheel drive.
The high performance E39 M5 sedan was introduced in 1998, powered by a 4.9 L (302 cu in) DOHC V8 engine. It was the first M5 model to be powered by a V8 engine.
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Common 1997 Bmw 540i problems
The BMW 540i, produced in 1997, is known for several common problems that owners have reported. These issues can significantly impact the car's performance and reliability, and some may require extensive repairs. Here are the most common problems with the BMW 540i 1997 based on complaints from owners:
- Valve Cover, Intake Manifold, and PCV Plate Oil Leaks: The valve cover, intake manifold, and PCV plate are prone to oil leaks in the BMW 540i. These leaks can be caused by various factors, including wear and tear, age, and poor maintenance. Oil leaks can lead to reduced engine performance, increased oil consumption, and potential engine damage if left unaddressed.
- Behr Cooling System Leaking: The Behr cooling system in the BMW 540i has been reported to leak, which can cause overheating and engine damage. It is essential to monitor the cooling system's condition and address any leaks promptly to prevent further damage.
- Plastic DISA Valve Breaking and Engine Damage: The plastic DISA valve in the BMW 540i can break, causing debris to enter the engine and potentially causing significant damage. This issue can be challenging to diagnose and may require extensive repairs.
- Cluster Pixel Tape Lifting: The LCD display on the dashboard of the BMW 540i can experience pixel tape lifting, which can result in a jumbled mess of letters and numbers. This issue can be caused by a faulty ribbon cable or a malfunctioning onboard computer.
- Thrust Arm Bushings Failure: The thrust arm bushings in the BMW 540i can fail around 75,000 miles, causing loose steering and jittering when braking. This issue can significantly impact the car's handling and safety, and it is essential to address it promptly.
- Window Regulator Failure: In high-mileage BMW 540i cars, the front and rear windows may stop working due to window regulator failure. This issue can be caused by age, wear and tear, and debris accumulation in the window tracks and guides.
- Timing Chain Problems: The timing chain in the BMW 540i can experience issues, mostly caused by neglected oil changes and improper oil usage. Timing chain problems can lead to reduced engine performance, increased oil consumption, and potential engine damage if left unaddressed.
- Leaks from the V8 Engine: The V8 engine in the BMW 540i is known to leak from various areas, including the power steering holes, oil valve cover, and other lines. These leaks can lead to reduced engine performance, increased fluid consumption, and potential engine damage if left unaddressed.
In summary, the BMW 540i 1997 has several common problems that owners have reported. These issues can significantly impact the car's performance, reliability, and safety. It is essential to address these problems promptly to prevent further damage and ensure the car's longevity. Regular maintenance, inspections, and timely repairs can help prevent these issues and ensure the BMW 540i's optimal performance.
How many miles per gallon does a 1997 BMW 540i get?
18 MPG
Used 1997 BMW 5 Series Sedan 540i - Specs & Features
| Fuel & MPG | |
|---|---|
| EPA city/highway MPG | 16/22 MPG |
| EPA combined MPG | 18 MPG |
| Range in miles (city/hwy) | 296.0/407.0 mi. |
| Fuel tank capacity | 18.5 gal. |
What is the top speed of the BMW 540i 1997?
128 mph
1997 BMW 5 Series Specs, Features & Options
| Torque | |
|---|---|
| 7.7 seconds | 6.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | |
| 128 mph | 128 mph |
What are the features of the BMW 540i 1997?
Engine & Performance
- 210 kW. Horsepower. 286 hp (282 bhp) Rev. at Max Power. 5,700 rpm. Torque. 420 Nm. ...
- 4,398 cc / 4.4 l. Cylinders. 8 Cyl. / 4 V per Cyl. Bore. 92 mm. Stroke. 82.7 mm. ...
- Service Intervals. Brake Fluid. 2 years. Oil Change & Engine Filter. 15,000 km / 1 years.
- 70 l. Euro 2.
- 17.2 l/100km. 9.2 l/100km. 12.1 l/100km.
- 292 g/km.
What engine came in the 540i?
3.0-liter BMW M TwinPower engine
The 2022 BMW 540i horsepower of 335 is one of the best produced by a modern sedan, thanks to a combo of a 3.0-liter BMW M TwinPower engine mated to an eight-speed sport automatic transmission and a 48V hybrid technology. It's enough power to whip up 60 mph in 4.9 seconds.
What are the features of the BMW 540i 1997?
Engine & Performance
- 210 kW. Horsepower. 286 hp (282 bhp) Rev. at Max Power. 5,700 rpm. Torque. 420 Nm. ...
- 4,398 cc / 4.4 l. Cylinders. 8 Cyl. / 4 V per Cyl. Bore. 92 mm. Stroke. 82.7 mm. ...
- Service Intervals. Brake Fluid. 2 years. Oil Change & Engine Filter. 15,000 km / 1 years.
- 70 l. Euro 2.
- 17.2 l/100km. 9.2 l/100km. 12.1 l/100km.
- 292 g/km.
What is the top speed of the BMW 540i 1997?
128 mph
1997 BMW 5 Series Specs, Features & Options
| Torque | |
|---|---|
| 7.7 seconds | 6.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | |
| 128 mph | 128 mph |
What is the mpg on a 1997 BMW 540i?
Based on data from 15 vehicles, 1,018 fuel-ups and 297,296 miles of driving, the 1997 BMW 540i gets a combined Avg MPG of 17.83 with a 0.29 MPG margin of error. Below you can see a distribution of the fuel-ups with 40 outliers (3.78%) removed.
What engine is in the e39 540i?
M62B44 V8
Petrol engines
| Model | Years | Engine |
|---|---|---|
| 535i | 1998–2003 | 3498 cc M62TÜB35 V8 |
| 540i | 1995–1998 | 4398 cc M62B44 V8 |
| 1998–2003 | 4398 cc M62TÜB44 V8 | |
| M5 | 1998–2003 | 4941 cc S62B50 V8 |
1997 Bmw 540i car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Bmw 540i problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Electrical system problems
- Seat belts problems
- Vehicle speed control problems
- Suspension problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1997 Bmw 540i vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 1997 Bmw 540i
The NHTSA has received 27 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1997 Bmw 540i. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 1997 Bmw 540i vehicles.
2019-12-05
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-12-04
- VIN: WBADE5327VB
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEATBELT LOCKS IN THE SIDE PANEL AND WONT EXTEND TO ALLOW PASSENGERS TO GET BUCKLED UP. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME BUT IT HAPPENS.
2012-12-11
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2010-12-01
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: INCIDENT #1 2010: ACCELERATED THE VEHICLE TO 75MPH TO ENTER FREEWAY. TOOK FOOT OFF GAS AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. ENGAGED CLUTCH TO STOP ACCELERATION AND RPM CONTINUED TO RISE TO THE LIMITER POINT (APPROX 5500 RPM). PULLED OVER, STARTED CAR AND ENGINE IMMEDIATELY WENT TO THE RED LINE. ON INSPECTION, A PLASTIC PART ON AN ACCELERATOR CABLE HAD CRACKED, CAUSING THE ACCELERATOR TO LOCK IN THE FULLY OPEN POSITION. IF THE CLUTCH HAD NOT BEEN ENGAGED (I.E. IF THIS CAR HAD AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION), THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A COLLISION AND POSSIBLE INJURIES OR FATALITIES. INCIDENT #2 12/2/2012. STARTED CAR AND PULLED AWAY FROM CURB. AT ABOUT 3-5 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. STOPPED CAR, TURNED OFF IGNITION AND STARTED IT AGAIN. THE WHEEL UNLOCKED BUT THERE WAS AN AUDIBLE CLICKING SOUND WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN. CAREFULLY DROVE ABOUT ONE MILE TO HOUSE AND TURNED OFF ENGINE. STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AGAIN AND CAR COULD NOT BE STARTED. THE WHEEL LOCKING WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN WAS A CONDITION THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A COLLISION AND POSSIBLE INJURIES OR FATALITIES. *TR
2010-10-25
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2009-01-20
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT
- Summary: I EXCHANGED THE LAMBDA SENSOR OF MY CAR A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. SUDDENLY MY MILEAGE WENT DOWN AND I STARTED AN ERROR SEARCH. SINCE I WAS DOING A COUPLE OF OTHER THINGS ON THE CAR I DIDN'T COME UP WITH THE SENSORS UP FRONT. UPDATED 11/16/10 *BF UPDATED 03/23/11 *BF SO WHEN IT CAME TO THEM I RECOGNIZED THAT THEY WERE GROUNDED THROUGH THE EXHAUST WHAT THEY SHOULDN'T DO AT MY CAR! WHEN I ASKED THE MANUFACTURER THEY DISMISSED EVERYTHING AS IF IT IS NOT THEIR FAULT. AND THEY KEEP SELLING THE LAMBDA SENSORS FOR A RANGE OF CARS THAT DEFINITELY DO NOT FIT! MANUFACTURER IS BORGWARNER BERU SYSTEMS GMBH! LAMBDA SENSOR IS OZH 173 HTTP://BERU.COM/ENGLISH/PRODUKTE/PRODUKTIDENT.PHP?S=OZH+173&EANR=0824010207&ACTION=STEP02 THE DANGER RESULTS FROM THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE GROUNDING: THIS LEADS TO A HEATING UP OF THE LAMBDA SENSORS WHICH THEN MIGHT IGNITE UNBURNED FUEL IN THE EXHAUST. THIS FUEL WILL DEFINITELY BE THERE AS THE GROUNDING ALSO DESTROYS THE OUTPUT STAGES OF THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT THAT ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FUEL MIXTURE. THE CAR WILL ULTIMATELY FATTEN UP, RESULTING IN UNBURNED FUEL GETTING TO THE EXHAUST AND BEING IGNITED BY THE HEATED UP LAMBDA SENSORS! THIS IS WHAT CAN BURN DOWN THE WHOLE CAR DURING DRIVING AND ALSO WHEN STANDING AFTER A LONGER TRIP! SO THESE LAMBDA SENSORS DESTROYED MY MOTOR CONTROL UNIT, MY CATALYTIC CONVERTERS, ETC. I WOULD BE GLAD IF YOU COULD RESEARCH FURTHER INTO THIS AND NOTIFY ME OF THE STATUS! UPDATED11/23/10. *JB UPDATED 12/01/10. *JB *TR
2009-12-27
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2009-12-27
- VIN: WBADE6328VB
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES RAPIDLY IN OUT-OF-CONTROL MANNER. SOMETIMES IT ALSO DECELERATES RAPIDLY, AND LURCHES. *TR
2009-05-04
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2007-08-15
- VIN: WBADE6329VB
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: WHENEVER MY CRUISE CONTROL IS SET, VEHICLE CONSISTENTLY OVERCOMPENSATES IN SPEED FLUCTUATIONS. IT IS ALMOST AS IF THE ACCELERATOR PEDDLE GETS STUCK ALL THE WAY DOWN. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO GO FROM HWY SPEEDS TO EXTREMELY DANGEROUS 80+MPH SPEEDS IN A MATTER OF A FEW SECONDS. CRUISE CONTROL MUST THEN BE DISENGAGED. I HAVE OWNED THIS PARTICULAR CAR FOR OVER A YEAR AND IT HAS ALWAYS DONE THIS. CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT SAFE TO USE AT ANY TIME. SEVERAL TIMES, IT HAS NEARLY MADE ME HAVE A REAR END COLLISION BECAUSE IT WILL TAKE OFF WITH NO WARNING. *TR
2005-07-13
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-02-09
- VIN: WBADE6323VB
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY
- Summary: 1997 BMW 540I FUSE TO THE FUEL INJECTOR BLEW OUT.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *MR THE VEHICLE WOULD ALL OF A SUDDEN DIE WHEN IN MOTION DUE TO THE BLOWN FUSE(S) TO THE INJECTOR. THE THERMOSTAT TEMPERATURE SENSOR HAD AN INTERNAL SHORT WHICH CAUSED THE WIRE TO MELT AND BLEW THE FUSE. THE SUNROOF WAS INOPERATIVE DUE TO THE RAIL LIFT PIECES BEING BROKEN. *SC THE WIPER BLADES WERE NOT CLEANING THE WINDOWS PROPERLY. *JB
2005-04-14
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-04-10
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: THE RADIATOR NECK BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON MY 1997 540I. IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH BMW BY ALL ACCOUNTS, OWNERS, TECHNICIANS AND EVEN MY OWN PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED IT WITH AN 1988 735I. PLASTIC PARTS ON THE RADIATOR IS UNACCEPTABLE, DANGEROUS AND COSTLY. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS ON THESE EXPENSIVE LUXURY VEHICLES WITH NO RESOLUTION BY BMW.*AK
2004-11-27
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-11-27
- VIN: WBADE5320VB
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: (1) REPLACED WATER PUMP AND ACCESSORY BELTS. ON A FORUM THAT I READ, MANY SUGGEST REPLACING THE RADIATOR WHEN REPLACING THE WATER PUMP, AS PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE DUE TO THE RADIATOR'S HIGH AND FREQUENT FAILURE. REPLACE THE RADIATOR AS PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE?!? I WOULD RATHER NOT. A RADIATOR IS NOT AN OIL OR AIR FILTER. (2) UPPER NECK ON THE RADIATOR BROKE AND RELEASED MORE THAN A GALLON OF COOLANT, IN LESS THAN 50 FEET, IN THE FORM OF LIQUID AND STEAM. THE STEAM OBSCURED VISION ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. LUCKILY I WAS MAKING A RIGHT-HAND TURN INTO A PARKING LOT. (3) NO REPAIR AS OF YET. THE FAILURE OF THE RADIATOR OCCURRED AT APPROXIMATELY 11:00 AM. I MADE IT HOME AT 12:05 P.M. I CALLED THE LOCAL BMW PARTS DEPARTMENT (ONE HOUR AND THIRTY MINUTES AWAY) TO ARRANGE TO PAY FOR THE RADIATOR BY CREDIT CARD AND THEN HAVE THE PART LEFT WITH ONE OF THE SALESPERSONS, BECAUSE THE PARTS DEPARTMENT CLOSES AT 1:00 P.M. BUT THEY NO LONGER ACCEPT CREDIT CARD PURCHASES OVER THE PHONE FROM IN-STATE CUSTOMERS, EVEN AFTER PRACTICALLY BEGGING. VERY POOR PRACTICE UNLESS THEY WANT TO LOOSE CUSTOMERS. ACTUALLY IMMEDIATELY AFTER I SUBMIT THIS I WILL GO ON-LINE AND TRY TO FIND AN AFTER-MARKET RADIATOR. PROBABLY OF BETTER QUALITY ANYWAY. SAD BUT TRUE. I ENCOURAGE THE RELEASE OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS QUESTIONNAIRE TO THE MANUFACTURER OF MY VEHICLE.*AK
2004-06-29
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-05-20
- VIN: WBADE6326VB
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: BUCKLE ON THE SEAT BELT IS IN A DEPRESSED POSITION, PREVENTING THE LATCH FROM LOCKING. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO SAID IT WOULD COST $400.00 TO REPAIR SEAT BELT BUCKLE. *AK THE SET BELT LATCH WOULD BECOME CONTINUOUSLY DEPRESSED IN WHICH IT WOULD NOT SPRING BACK AND WOULD NOT CONNECT INTO THE LATCH. *SC
2004-06-21
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-06-19
- VIN: WBADE5321VB
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: 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
2004-06-14
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-05-21
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: 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
2004-06-06
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-05-24
- Fire: 1
- VIN: WBADE5320VB
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE ELECTRONIC COOLANT THERMOSTAT SHORTED OUT AND CAUSED ENGINE WIRING HARNESS THE BURN UP. THIS CAUSED THE ENIGINE TO STOP RUNNING. LUCKILY, BURNING WAS RESTRICTED TO WIRES AND NO OTHER COMPONENTS WERE BURNT. CAR IS STILL WAITING FOR A NEW WIRING HARNESS AT THE BMW DEALER ($2000 EST FOR REPAIR). I HAVE HEARD OF SIMILAR OCCURANCES WITH THIS MODEL CAR AND WITH 740I OF ABOUT THE SAME YEAR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND SHOULD BE PREVENTED BY A FUSE OR FUSABLE LINK.*AK
2004-01-15
SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-01-15
- Components: SEATS
- Summary: THE DRIVER SEAT CREATES A CLICKING NOISE AND MOVES OUT OF PLACE (VERY MINOR MOVEMENT) AT NUMEROUS TIMES (AS IN NOT IN LOCKED POSITION) WHILE MAKING TURNS. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY WANT A FORTUNE TO CHECK IT OUT. THE 540I ONLY HAS 65K MILES ON IT. IT CAN BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION, IF THE CHAIR SOME HOW LOSES IT LOCKING. *CB
2003-11-11
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-03-01
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: THE RADIATOR IN MY 1997 BMW 540I HAS FAILED TWICE SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT. I SEE THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE. *AK
2003-09-01
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-08-21
- VIN: WBADE5325VB
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: MY 1997 BMW 540I 6-SPEED HAD A RADIATOR FAILURE AT 77,500 MILES. THE PLASTIC RADIATOR CONNECTION POINT FOR THE TOP HOSE SNAPPED OFF. THIS APPEARS TO BE A WELL KNOW ISSUE AFTER SPEAKING WITH BMW SERVICE TECHS AND SEARCHING BMW INTERNET SITES.*AK I BELIEVE THAT THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS ISSUE.
2003-06-22
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-06-22
- VIN: WBADE6329VB
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: I OWN A 1997 BMW 540I. RADIATOR BROKE AT PLASTIC ATTACHMENT POINT. COOLANT LEAKED ALL OVER THE WINDSHIELD AND ENGINE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A WELL KNOWN DEFECT AMONG OWNERS OF THIS CAR DUE TO THE PLASTIC ATTACHMENT POINT AT THE JUNCTION OF THE HOSE AND THE RADIATOR. *NLM
2003-06-03
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-05-30
- VIN: WBADE5320VB
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: MY 1997 BMW 540I6 RADIATOR BROKE ON ME WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY ON 5/30/03. *AK
2003-06-02
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-05-19
- VIN: WBADE5328VB
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: 1997, BMW, 540I RADIATOR FAILURE @ 77,500 MILES (DETECTED BY BMW DEALER DURING ROUTINE SERVICE INSPECTION); RADIATOR REPLACED AT MY COST.*AK
2003-01-14
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-01-11
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: RADIATOR FAILURE ON BMW 540I WITH ONLY 51K MILES, CAUSING LOSS OF TRACTION AND ALMOST A WRECK
2003-01-09
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-01-04
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: THE UPPER RADIATOR HOSE UNEXPECTLY SEPARATED FROM THE RADIATOR. INSPECTION SHOWED THAT THE PLASTIC RADIATOR HAD BROKEN AT THE HOSE FITTING. THE RESULTING STEAM CLOUD AND WATER DEPOSITS ON WINDSHIELD ABRUPTLY OBSCURED VISION, LEADING TO A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. NON-REINFORCED PLASTIC IS AN UNSAFE MATERIAL FOR USE IN THIS APPLICATION.
2002-12-03
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-12-03
- VIN: WBADE5320VB
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE COMPLETE LOSS OF COOLANT AT SPEED. DT
2002-11-28
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-11-04
- VIN: WBADE6320VB
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: NO SUMMARY. DT
2002-08-09
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-08-05
- VIN: WBADE6329VB
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
- Summary: TURNED ON IGNITION AND SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
2001-07-28
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2001-07-23
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- VIN: WBADE6322VB
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: DRIVER USES REMOTE KEY TO LOCK AUTO FROM DISTANCE AWAY SEALING PASSENGER IN CAR: OUTSIDE TEMP. 114 DEGREES. CAR DESIGN HAS NO ESCAPE DEVICE FROM INSIDE INSIDE
2000-08-31
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-07-01
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: DELAMINATION/SEPARATION OF TIRE TREAD FROM CASEING-3 OF THE 4 TIRES ON THE CAR, SEVERE .( DOT NUMBER: LMT8AXBU TIRE SIZE: 225/55R/16 )
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1997 Bmw 540i problems:
E-39 540I common problems | BimmerFest BMW Forum
https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/e-39-540i-common-problems.670733/
Jan 17, 2013 ... E-39 540I common problems · Behr cooling system leaking · Plastic DISA valve breaking & destroying the engine · Cluster pixel tape lifting · MID ...
common problems for 540i E39
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?425831-common-problems-for-540i-E39
Oct 10, 2005 ... radiator and expansion tank leaked, thermostat got stuck closed. clutch pedal was squicking so they changed the bearing. Bentley repair manual ...
1997 BMW 540i Problems and Complaints - 7 Issues
https://repairpal.com/1997-bmw-540i/problems
Problem with your 1997 BMW 540i? Our list of 7 known complaints reported by owners can help you fix your 1997 BMW 540i.
1997 540i Reliability?
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?2429092-1997-540i-Reliability
May 27, 2020 ... Run like hell from that car. There's nothing more expensive than a cheap BMW. ASE and BMW Master Certified Technician.
Are these cars really that bad? I've daily'd 2 540i's for the past 10+ ...
https://www.reddit.com/r/e39/comments/xs3k1z/are_these_cars_really_that_bad_ive_dailyd_2_540is/
Sep 30, 2022 ... When maintenance is required they just bash the car for wear and tear. I've become aware of the common issues on these e39. I personally love ...
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