Complaints over time
Complaints about the 2002 BMW 540IA peaked in 2008, with 1 filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Model year
2002 BMW 540IA
Sedan, gasoline, built in Germany. Owner complaints on file from Jul 21, 2008 to Aug 24, 2012.
Recall campaigns covering this model year11,318 vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints2Below the median 2002 sedan
Severity index100.02002 sedans average 13.3
First 24 months0Complaints in its first two years
Components
50% of complaints about the 2002 BMW 540IA name electrical system
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls
One recall campaign covers the 2002 BMW 540IA
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01V-352 | Nov 26, 2001 | Vehicle description: during the tire mounting process on certain passenger vehicles built with standard (non-sport) suspension and equipped with… | Tires | 1,318 | Part replacement |
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints
What owners reported about the 2002 BMW 540IA
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
2 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.
- Filed Aug 24, 2012Failure Jul 19, 201290,000 milesLutherville, MDElectrical system, SeatsFire
I WENT OUT TO MY BMW 540I AND FOUND THE DRIVER'S POWER SEAT ALL THE WAY BACK IN THE HORIZONTAL POSITION. I DID NOT LEAVE IT THIS WAY, SO THIS WAS CONFUSING TO ME. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO MOVE IT BACK UPRIGHT INTO A COMFORTABLE DRIVING POSITION, IT DID NOT RESPOND- THE SEAT WAS DEAD. I COULD NOT MOVE IT MANUALLY, EITHER. I WAS FORCED TO DRIVE THE CAR A SHORT DISTANCE TO DROP MY SON OFF AT AN ACTIVITY, SO I DECIDED TO DRIVE IT AND LEAN FORWARD WHILE DRIVING. MY PLAN WAS TO TAKE THE CAR TO MY LOCAL BMW MECHANIC LATER THAT NIGHT AND DROP IT OFF TO BE REPAIRED. MY SON AND I WERE ONLY TWO MINUTES INTO OUR DRIVE, I WAS LEANING FORWARD, AND HE SAID "DO YOU SMELL SMOKE?" I DID SMELL IT, AND WAS LOOKING AROUND TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG. THEN MY SON SAID "DAD, YOUR SEAT IS ON FIRE!" I LOOKED DOWN, AND SAW FLAMES COMING OUT FROM UNDER MY SEAT. WE PULLED THE CAR OVER AND PUT OUT THE FIRE WITH HIS WATER BOTTLE. THE HEATED SEATS WERE NOT BEING USED, THIS HAPPENED ON JULY 19TH, DURING THE SUMMER. MY LOCAL BMW SHOP IS TELLING ME THIS IS A $3100 REPAIR. THE PART IN QUESTION THAT CAUSED THE FIRE, PER THE CLAIMS ADJUSTER, IS THE "GENERAL MODULE." I UNDERSTAND THE CAR IS 10 YEARS OLD, BUT IT SIMPLY BLOWS MY MIND THAT A CAR CAN RANDOMLY CATCH ON FIRE INTERNALLY LIKE THIS. BMW NORTH AMERICA IS NOT TAKING OWNERSHIP TO THIS SITUATION, AND HAS OFFERED NO HELP. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10472344 - Filed Jul 21, 2008Failure Jul 19, 2008109,834 milesSammamish, WAAutomatic transmissionFire
ON 7/19/2008, MY 2002 BMW 540I WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CAUGHT FIRE WHILE MYSELF AND MY WIFE DRIVING TOWARD AN EVENING PARTY. AT FIRST I SMELL SOMETHING IS BURNING THEN SEE A TINY BIT OF SMOKE. I PARKED THE CAR IN A BANK OF AMERICA PARKING LOT AND MY WIFE WENT OUT TO CHECK THE CAR, AND SHE SAW FIRE STARTED TO BURST. WE CALL 911 AND WITHIN FIVE MINUTES, THE FRONT END OF THE CAR IS IN FLAME. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME THE PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE CAR IS NOW BEEN TOW TO A LOCAL SHOP AND WILL BE MOVED TO THE "TOTAL LOT" OF MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I DID A QUICK SEARCH ON THE INTERNET, AND FOUND OUT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE. I HOPE BMW CAN FIND OUT EXACTLY WHAT CAUSE THE FIRE AND FIX THE PROBLEM. MY WIFE AND I ARE LUCKY SINCE WE GOT OUT OF CAR SOON ENOUGH. THIS IS NOT A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR BMW SUCH A LUXURY BRAND. SINCERELY, STEVE HUNG *TR
NHTSA complaint 10235236
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations
NHTSA has not opened an investigation on this model year
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins
12 manufacturer communications cover this model year
Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.
- B510819 Jan 16, 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met. - B160623 Dec 20, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Engine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel module (TFE) whendiagnosing with ISTA. The following two fault codes will be stored in the DME: 032B43 - Low fuel pressure system, electric fuel pump: pressure value too l… - B653423 Nov 22, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their unoccupied vehicle. Depending on the vehicleâ™s equipment and settings, no acoustic or optical confirmation (folding the mirrors/blinking confirmation) is noticeable. Additio… - B013118 Apr 1, 2019 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018. - B013118 Apr 1, 2019 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018. - B080119 Feb 1, 2018 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
In an effort to improve the completion rate on Takata air bag recall affected vehicles; BMW NA has expanded the BMW Ultimate Rewards platform to include a new Recall Support page. This page will allow IRFs to check their customers VINs for open Takata recal… - B011618 Jan 1, 2019 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
TAKATA CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT. CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM. FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG MODULES. - B650916 Nov 1, 2018 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Radio / Navigation / Head Unit Identification Guide - B011618 Oct 1, 2018 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
For the above-referenced vehicles with driver?s side airbag modules, BMW of North America, LLC (?BMW NA?) will provide a Customer Support Program as outlined in the Takata Settlement Customer Support Program Overview attachment. This ?component-specific? c… - SIB-63-02-01 Aug 1, 2010 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
BMW: PROCEDURE FOR DETERMINING AND REPLACING INCANDESCENT AND HALOGEN LIGHT BULBS UNDER WARRANTY. *RM - SIB-32-04-07 Jun 1, 2010 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
BMW: A NEW TECHNICAL PROCESS HAS BEEN CREATED FOR BMW TO IDENTIFY CAUSES OF STEERING COMPLAINTS WITH A WIDE RANGE OF MODELS. *RM - SIB-16-02-09 Dec 1, 2009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
BMW VEHICLES: FUEL LEVEL SENSOR REPAIRS. WHERE IT IS NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT SIDE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR DUE TO A FAILURE, THE ENTIRE PUMP AND HOUSING OR DELIVERY UNIT (SUCTION JET ASSEMBLY) DO NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. IN SOME CASES…
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.