Most common 1999 BMW 540i problems
Share of the 22 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 →
1999 BMW 540i recalls (1)
Electrical system › 12V/24V/48V battery › Cables
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.
Remedy: Dealers will apply a thickness of insulating tape to the cable in the area of the clip, and install a revised clip.
What 1999 BMW 540i owners say
Engine & cooling
My transmission would not accelerate or move. I had the trans rebuild and 2 years later the same problem. The trans has lost gears 1-3 and reverse, multistate repaired the trans again 2013, ifor the second time, it never worked after repairs. The engine light stays on, BMW says I need new trans and engine. When I looked up recalls for 540i, it states the same trans problem and it should be replaced. When I look up engine there are known engine problems with 540i, not my VIN. I also have electrical issues, which have a recall on 540i, but not my VIN. Also issues with coolant, which is another known issue, but not my VIN. I have tried to get BMW to diagnose, but they only recommend replacing all parts at my expense, even though there is a history of these type of issues with the 540i, 1999 cars. …
My son was driving home in rush hour traffic on connecticut ave. It was raining rather hard and visibility was low. My son all of the sudden smelled smoke coming through the vents and the engine shut down. It would not restart. He had to push it off the road into a service station due to the high volume of traffic. The car was towed that evening to my repair shop where it was diagnosed that the thermostat housing sensor failed which melted the wiring harness and damaged other electrical sensors on the engine.
Electrical system
During a down shift, my car sometimes jump forward a foot or so and makes a thump down shifting noise. This forces me to apply the break quickly. Just a week ago, I hit a curve because of this defect and the bottom bumper cover of the car got hit and became cracked! Luckily this problem is rare. This is about 4th failure in a span of 10 months. For about 10 months, my car also stalls (engine loses power) during a slowdown. Usually this happens when I slow to make a right turn. I nearly got into an accident few times this month because my car stalled in an intersection during a turn. This occurs about 0-2 times per month and each time I take the car to the dealer, I m informed that they see no problems or the problem is fixed. I ve reported this complaint to BMW customer service and asked if they are aware of this problem. They ve told me no.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 BMW 540i. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the positive battery cable was burned. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 99V004000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 147,076.
Brakes
The driver owns a 1999 BMW 540i with 72,579 miles. Over the past two months the disc BMW electronic stability control system icon and the amber ABS and brake lights illuminated in one of two scenarios: (1) just after a new ignition cycle, (2) during normal driving. Once these warnings illuminated the dsc, ABS, and traction control systems become non-functional. Until recently, the warnings would go out after 5-10 ignition cycles. Now they were on continuously. Next to seatbelts, I strongly believe ESC is the most significant development in automotive safety. As such, I find it very disconcerting the system on my vehicle has malfunctioned. Researching the topic on the various BMW forums has lead me to believe my situation is not an isolated one; that many model year 1999-2000 5-series bmws have also been affected. ESC malfunctions can have very negative impact on vehicle safety. …
ABS warning and dsc light is on indicating failure of ABS electronic module. ABS and dsc is no longer operable. This is a safety issue since the car will no longer have ABS and dynamic stability control system in operable condition. It is unknown if brake could be randomly activated by the failed ABS module while driving. Common failure on 1999 or plus 5-series BMW based on user discussion on internet. The failure is temperture related. The higher the temperture, the quicker the warning light will come on.
1999 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 / 21 / 16 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1999 BMW 540i a good car?
Based on 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 540i rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the 540i at the same age. 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 1999 BMW 540i?
The engine & cooling — 6 complaints, 27% of all complaints for this model year, most often about cooling system › radiator assembly. Next are the electrical system (4) and brakes (4).
How many recalls does the 1999 BMW 540i have?
There is 1 recall for the 1999 BMW 540i, the most recent from January 4, 1999 (cables). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the 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 1999 BMW 540i problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 70,000 miles; 18% 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.