Most common 1997 BMW 540i problems
Share of the 27 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
BMW 540i complaints by model year
Best 540i years: 2020. Years to avoid: 2018, 2017, 1998, 1997, 2000. Compare all years →
What 1997 BMW 540i owners say
Engine & cooling
(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 driver s 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. …
1997 BMW 540i fuse to the fuel injector blew out.** answer required*** 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. The wiper blades were not cleaning the windows properly.
Electrical system
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.
1997 BMW 540i fuse to the fuel injector blew out.** answer required*** 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. The wiper blades were not cleaning the windows properly.
1997 BMW 540i engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.4L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 22 / 18 |
| 4.4L 8-cyl | 6-speed manual | RWD | 14 / 22 / 16 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 BMW 540i a good car?
Based on 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 540i rates use caution: 2.1× as many complaints as a typical year of the 540i at the same age. It is one of the 540i years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 BMW 540i?
The engine & cooling — 13 complaints, 48% of all complaints for this model year, most often about cooling system › radiator assembly. Next are the electrical system (3) and suspension (2).
How many recalls does the 1997 BMW 540i have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1997 BMW 540i. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the BMW 540i?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2020. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2018, 2017, 1998, 1997 and 2000. See the full BMW 540i years comparison.
At what mileage do 1997 BMW 540i problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 78,000 miles; 6% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.