1999 Bmw 540ia problems
BMW M62 is a naturally aspirated V8 petrol engine which was produced from 1995 to 2005. A successor to the BMW M60, the M62 features an aluminium engine block and a single row timing chain.
In 1998, a Technical Update included VANOS (variable valve timing) for the intake camshafts.
The S62 engine is the BMW M high performance version of the M62, which was released in the E39 M5, BMW Z8, Ascari KZ1, and the Ascari A10.
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Common 1999 Bmw 540ia problems
The BMW 540i E39, produced in 1999, is a powerful and well-designed vehicle, but it has some common problems that owners have reported. Here are the most common issues with the 1999 BMW 540i E39, based on complaints from owners:
- Electrical Issues: Minor electrical problems may arise, including issues with the stereo radio, back window sunroof, and instrument read-out. The latter might be challenging to read due to pixel failure.
- Power Steering Leaks: Power steering leaks have been reported, which can be expensive to repair.
- Tire Wear: The 540i E39 is known to chew up expensive tires quickly, leading to frequent replacement.
- Oil Leaks: The 4.4-liter V-8 engine in these cars is notorious for oil leaks, particularly from head cover and timing cover gaskets.
- ABS Failure: The ABS system can fail due to a faulty board or lines getting gutted up from infrequent brake fluid services. This issue can cause an ABS light to appear on the dashboard .
- Seat Switch and Motor Failure: The seats in the 540i E39 can fail, causing issues with seat movement. Switches and motors might need replacement, or bracket sides could seize up, causing the seat to move crookedly .
- Expensive Maintenance: The 1999 BMW 540i E39 can be expensive to maintain, with repairs like an alternator and battery costing up to $1600.
These common issues should be considered when purchasing a 1999 BMW 540i E39. Regular maintenance and inspections can help prevent or mitigate these problems, but potential buyers should be aware of the costs and challenges associated with owning this vehicle.
1999 Bmw 540ia car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Bmw 540ia problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Power train problems
- Equipment problems
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1999 Bmw 540ia vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1999 Bmw 540ia complaints
The NHTSA has received 10 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1999 Bmw 540ia.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2009-03-14
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: I HAVE A 1999 540I AND THE REVERSE HAS STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. THE FORWARD GEARS WORK PERFECTLY BUT THE REVERSE SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. I HAVE READ MANY SIMILAR STORIES. *TR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2008-12-19
- Fire: 1
- VIN: WBADN6334XG
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT
- Summary: MY 1999 BMW 540I SPORT CAUGHT FIRE 12/19/08 WHILE IT WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY OF MY HOME. I NOTICED FLAMES ABOUT 1:30 AM COMING FROM THE SIDES OF THE HOOD. I HAD DRIVEN THE CAR TO DINNER THAT NIGHT AND IT WAS PARKED AND LOCKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. I JUST HAPPENED TO NOTICE THE FLAMES THROUGH THE WINDOW OF MY HOUSE. CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT AND CAR WAS TOTALLY BURNED AND MELTED. ONLY THE REAR TRUNK AREA WAS LEFT. I COULD FIND NO MENTION OF THIS TYPE OF FIRE OCCURRING ON THE WEBSITES OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS. NO RECALLS THAT I COULD FIND. MY CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED WHILE I HAD IT. THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD GOOD RECORDS ALSO. I HAD ONLY OWNED IT ABOUT 6 MONTHS. IT WAS BOUGHT FROM THE PREVIOUS OWNER. *TR
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-04-01
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW 540IA WITH FAILURE MILEAGE OF 100,000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH HE BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEARS BEGAN TO FUNCTION IMPROPERLY, AND COULD NOT BE OPERATED IN 1ST THROUGH REVERSE GEARS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE BMW DEALER, WHERE THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY WOULD DO TO FIX THE RECALL. THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WITHOUT COST BECAUSE THE RECALL WAS ISSUED BY NHTSA AND NOT BY THEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS OF 4-13-07 THE DEALER HAS HAD THE VEHICLE FOR OVER A MONTH, AND WANTED TO CHARGE HIM $5,000, EVEN THOUGH THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.*AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-03-10
- VIN: WBADN6337XG
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: I HAD TROUBLES WITH MY ABS MODULE UNIT THAT IS ATTACHED TO MY BMW 1999 540IA. I HAVE BECOME AWARE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT DISABLES THE ABS CONTROL OF MY CAR AND MANY OTHER SAME MODEL CARS AS MINE. I HAD TO REPLACE THE PART MYSELF DUE TO NO RECALL OR ACCEPTANCE FROM BMW THAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH A SAFETY FEATURE ON MY AND MANY OTHER BMW'S SIMILAR TO MINE. THE FAILURE OCCURED OUT OF THE NOWHERE AND THE RESULTING PROBLEM IS THAT THE UNIT WOULD GO OFF AFTER CAR WOULD WARM UP THEN EVENTUALLY OVER TIME THE UNIT COMPLETELY FAILS AND DISABLES THE CARS ANTI BRAKING SYSTEM. THE UNIT WAS REPLACED BY ME AFTER NUMEROUS TIMES TO GET BMWNA OR ANYONE FROM BMW TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH MY UNIT. THE NEW PART COST ME ABOUT $700 AND THE LABOR WAS ABOUT $60 TO GET IT INSTALLED AND PROGRAMMED FROM TEH BMW DEALER AROUND HERE. I HAVE MY OLD PART IF THAT HELPS BUT IT IS OF NO USE. THX MICHAEL D. KARR. *NM
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-07-10
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: RADIATOR CRACKED AT TOP HOSE INLET CAUSING LOSS OF COOLANT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-01-03
- VIN: WBADN6335XG
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: 1) CHECK COOLANT LEVEL WARNING LIGHT CAME ON TWICE IN 1 WEEK. KUNI BMW CONDUCTED MY FACTORY INSPECTION II SERVICE ONLY 2 MONTHS BEFORE THIS OCCURED. ) RADIATOR CRACKED WHERE THE UPPER HOSE ENTERS THE RADIATOR, LEAKING FLUID INTO THE ENGINE BAY AND GROUND. 3) REPLACE THE RADIATOR. THIS IS A WELL KNOW DEFECT ON THIS VEHICLE - WHY DOESN'T BMW DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS?*AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-12-08
- VIN: WBADN6347XG
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: RADIATOR FAILED ON MY 1999 BMW 540 AT 54,700 MILES. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SAFETY PROBLEM THAT BMW NEEDS TO ADDRESS. THIS SAFETY PROBLEM: - DISABLES THE VEHICLE NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE FROM RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WHERE THE PANIC COULD ENDANGER OTHER DRIVERS, TO THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE IN THE DEAD OF WINTER BY YOURSELF. - STEAM FROM FAILED RADIATOR BLOCKS VISION OF THE ROAD, OR WHATEVER ELSE IS IN THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT CORNER OF THE VEHICLE. - FAILURE CAN NOT BE PREDICTED BY VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE RADIATOR.*AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-11-24
- VIN: WBADN6338XG
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: CRACK IN RADIATOR - NEEDS REPLACEMENT. *AK
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-04-08
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: HEADLAMP INTERNAL ADJUSTING RODS (BRITTLE PLASTIC MATERIAL) FAIL PREMATURELY CAUSING HEADLAMP BEAN TO DEFLECT AND LAMP BEAMS TO SHUDDER OR WIGGLE. THIS TENDS TO REDUCE THE FIELD OF VISION FOR DRIVERS AND TO BLIND ONCOMING MOTORISTS.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-10-28
- VIN: WBADN6333XG
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: NO SUMMARY. DT
1999 Bmw 540ia recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 1999 Bmw 540ia.
- Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
- Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
- Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 5HP24 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. PREMATURE WEAR OF THE RING GEAR CAN OCCUR, LEADING TO THE LOSS OF 1ST, 2ND, 3RD, AND REVERSE GEARS.
- Consequence: IF THIS PROBLEM OCCURS, THE CAR MAY NO LONGER OPERATE IN REVERSE, 1ST, 2ND, OR 3RD GEARS.
- Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
- Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
- Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE THICKNESS OF THE MAIN POSITIVE ELECTRICAL CABLE (GENERATOR TO STARTER) INSULATION IS LESS THAN SPECIFIED, MAKING IT SUSCEPTIBLE TO BEING ABRADED OR CUT BY THE CLIP THAT SECURES THE CABLE TO THE GENERATOR.
- Consequence: THE CABLE INSULATION CAN BE WORN AWAY, EXPOSING THE WIRE. THE WIRE COULD CONTACT THE CLIP OR A SHORT CIRCUIT COULD OCCUR.
- Remedy: DEALERS WILL APPLY A THICKNESS OF INSULATING TAPE TO THE CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE CLIP, AND INSTALL A REVISED CLIP.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1999 Bmw 540ia problems:
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 ...
E-39 540I common problems | BimmerFest BMW Forum
Jan 17, 2013 ... E-39 540I common problems · Behr cooling system leaking · Plastic DISA valve breaking & destroying the engine · Cluster pixel tape lifting · MID ...
e39 540i what are they like and whats the common faults ? - Page 1 ...
Feb 15, 2012 ... Common issues around the 100k mark are bushes which begin to crack and will impact on steering/braking. Sensors can also start to show their age ...
1999 BMW 540i Problems and Complaints - 7 Issues
Problem with your 1999 BMW 540i? Our list of 7 known complaints reported by owners can help you fix your 1999 BMW 540i.
Are these cars really that bad? I've daily'd 2 540i's for the past 10+ ...
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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