1998 BMW 540I problems

Filed May 21, 2021 · Airbags · WA · 1 injury

While stopped (engine still running) at a gas station, the driver side airbag and driver side side curtain airbag both went off. The battery disconnect feature was also triggered. Very lucky I wasn't driving when this occurred.

Filed Jan 27, 2005 · Engine · 86,000 miles · NJ

White steam was coming from under the hood onto the front windshield. The steam was fogging the windshield, and causing poor visibility while driving 50-55 MPH. Consumer was able to get the vehicle to a repair shop. Dealer informed the consumer that the upper neck connector of the radiator hose broke.

Filed Jan 6, 2005 · Engine · 92,801 miles · TX

2nd catastrophic radiator failure. Not a leak, the neck breaks off causing immediate loss of cooling. 1st radiator at 45k, 2nd at 92k. Based on other's experiences, this is very common for this model (and even longer life than many). Causes loss of vision due to amount of steam released. Less experienced driver may have difficulty controlling vehicle to get to side of road quickly to shut down. No way to predict the failure. Same issue with expansion tank. Both failures are on plastic parts.

Filed Jul 2, 2004 · Engine · 49,000 miles · WA

I was driving down a busy street one evening and as I came to a light, smoke started coming out of my hood. Fortunately it was in the evening and traffic was lighter than usual. I pulled into a parking lot off the side of the road. Having known others that this has happened to, I first checked the radiator and sure enough, there was a large crack down the side of the housing. I had the car towed home and purchased a new radiator from bmw of seattle the following morning. The new radiator was about $200, a few hours of my own labor and a few more hours detailing the engine pay and headlights which had radiator fluid all over them. Also from the experience of others who own e39 bmw 540s, I fully expect this to happen again in the next 50k miles. I also expect the expansion tank to go within the next few months.

Filed Mar 17, 2004 · Engine · 61,000 miles · CA

Plastic neck of radiator on my '98 bmw 540ia broke completely and suddenly on highway. White smoke came out under the hood. Saw temp gauge climb up rapidly. Pulled over immediately. Towed to dealership for repair. No one was hurt luckily.

Filed Nov 10, 2003 · Engine · 60,139 miles · AZ

Multiple coolant defects on the 1998 540. The car has now had 3 radiators, 3 thermastats, water tube seals replaced twice, and a water pump. The costs have been over $3,500. These leaks are not just expensive, they pose a real danger to causing personal injury and damage. The failure rate is known to be very high. Http://www.votations.com/asp/surveyresults.asp?pollid=66461 .

Filed Sep 26, 2003 · Suspension · 51,488 miles · CA

Driver-side front wheel bearing makes noise when wheel spins freely. This was reported several times to dealer in past. Dealer replaced passenger-side front bearing ! Driver-side beraing still noisy. Waiting for complete failure to prove dealer wrong. Front wheel bearings are marginally designed for bmw 540i, this is well documented on various web sites of bmw owners. Bearings last 75,000 miles!

Filed Sep 26, 2003 · Engine · 50,339 miles · CA

Engine cooling radiator hose fitting broke off. Lost all coolant on highway. Dealer replaced radiator under warranty and stated it is common failure on 540i bmw due to plastic parts not stong enough to resist temperature. Well documented on private web sites.

Filed Sep 25, 2003 · Engine · 45,838 miles · CA

Engine doesn't rev up above 4500 rpms and misfires. Engine check light on. Dealer replaced one of two catalytic converters under warranty. According to private clubs abd web sites of bmw owners, 540i cat converters last 50kmiles only.

Filed Sep 25, 2003 · Engine · 39,787 miles · CA

Engine idles rough and stalls while driving. Dealer replaced faulty camshaft sensor under warranty.