Air bag light coming on and off intermittently. Known recall affecting bmw 540 models around this vin number. BMW says this particular vin not affected, but if the federal safety agency adds vin to list, they will fix.
The worst 2003 BMW 540I problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Airbags2
- Steering2
- Brakes1
- Electrical1
- Engine1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags2
- Steering2
- Brakes1
- Electrical1
- Engine1
- Tires1
- Transmission1
Recalls 2
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 19V015000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3 Convertibles and 325i, 330i, and M3 Coupes, 2002-2003 M5, 540i, 525i Sedan, and 530i Sedans, and 540i and 525i Sportswagons, and 2003 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity Vehicles. Please note that the 5-series and X5 vehicles are only included if they are equipped with the optional sports steering wheel. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with 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 replace the front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began Aug 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V‑348 in its entirety. Additionally, vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously as part of a recall remedy need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well. Note: On December 17, 2015 BMW removed the model year 2004 X5 3.0i and 4.4i Sports Activity vehicle from this recall. Those vehicles were mistakenly identified as including the air bags that are subject to this recall.
Recall number 15V318000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 BMW 540I 10
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- Engine will crank but not start
- Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle
- Takata air bag recall-related short-term alternate transportation and consequential repairs
- Takata class action settlement. customer support program. front driver side airbag modules.
- Radio / Navigation / Head Unit Identification Guide
- For the above-referenced vehicles with driver?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?)...
- In an effort to improve the completion rate on Takata air bag recall affected vehicles; BMW NA has...
- Program dme
2003 BMW 540I fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.4L 8‑cyl | RWD | 14-16 | 19-22 | 16-18 |
What 2003 BMW 540I owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
See attached document for complaint
Takata recall - the bmw 2003 540i that I own, has a driver's side airbag and a passenger side airbag. I complied with the bmw recall for the takata airbag replacement system that to my dissatisfaction, replaced only the driver's side airbag. I am registering this complaint to notify the federal safety agency that bmw did not replace the passenger side airbag with this recall. This non-replacement of the passenger side airbag is concerning to me as the passenger is at risk for the problems that takata airbags produce whether driver's side or the passenger side. It is anathema to proper good faith performance of bmw and takata to not replace the passenger side airbag in the same manner as the driver's side airbag was replaced by the recall initiated due to the poor performance of the takata airbag. I was disappointed to learn that the passenger side airbag was not being replaced at the same time as the driver's side airbag replacement. The federal safety agency - please work with bmw to have the replacement of the passenger side airbag performed under the previous recall, or through a new recall announcement so that the passenger in vehicles with the takata airbag under the previous recall, are recalled and, then safe with a new airbag system. I was in anticipation of the recall for the passenger side by the federal safety agency. However, since the replacement of the driver's side airbag that occurred in the 2017 time frame, has not occurred, I am registering this complaint with the federal safety agency. To reiterate, since a recall for the passenger side has not been initiated by bmw, I am raising this issue for the federal safety agency to be informed and to pursue a recall being initiated by bmw.
Driver's side, rear tire exploded, while driving on highway 5 in california, causing $5,500 damage to the rear body of the car. Both the repair facility and discount tire found the other 3 tires to have defects rendering them unsafe to drive.
Started the car and began to drive out of driveway when I heard a noise in the engine. Shut down engine and popped the hood- found drive belt shredded because power steering pump snapped and let loose into tension pulley- luckily I was not at speed and belt did not fail- otherwise catastrophic engine failure would occur along with loss of power steering.
Bmw e39 540i possible defective blower motor resistor (climate control fan resistor) with heatsink.. Affects "auto" fan.. Very noticeable in the long run.. Known problem.. Many do not last past 50,000km.. See http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=143393 for replacement..
Driving home one evening, I noticed a binding feeling being transmitted through the drive-train, drive-ability did not seem too affected, other than the odd bind being felt. The next morning upon start-up, the car began making a loud, RPM sensitive whining noise. I shut the car off and drove one of my others. When I opened the hood it was obvious that the serpentine belt was not aligned correctly. Through further observation, it was clear that the power steering pump mounts were broken. The broken mounts caused the pump to push forward and not be aligned. The belt was being chewed up in the process. While removing the pump I noticed that the bolts holding it in place were loose. These loose bolts were alarming and could have resulted in the power steering pump loosening even further cause the belt to jump. In my opinion, it is completely unacceptable for this to have happened. The fact that a molded piece of aluminum would fracture and break is alarming, and the loose bolts is even worse. It is very possible that the belt could have jumped (has happened to fellow 540i drivers) which would have resulted in no power steering.
Compare the 2003 BMW 540I
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Questions about the 2003 BMW 540I
Is the 2003 BMW 540I reliable?
Owners have filed 7 complaints about the 2003 BMW 540I, fewer than a typical 540I model year.
What is the 2003 BMW 540I year score?
The 2003 BMW 540I scores 84 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the BMW 540I: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 BMW 540I?
Airbags, with 2 complaints. Next is steering (2).
How many recalls does the 2003 BMW 540I have?
2 recalls, covering air bags.
Was there a recall on the 2003 BMW 540I airbags?
Yes, 2 recalls: 19V015000, 15V318000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What gas mileage does the 2003 BMW 540I get?
Official estimates for the 2003 BMW 540I range from 16 to 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.4L 8-cyl, RWD) gets 14-16 city and 19-22 highway.
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