1999 BMW 540I problems, recalls, safety rating, MPG & value

Q: Does the 1999 BMW 540I have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1999 BMW 540I. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

Q: What gas mileage does the 1999 BMW 540I get?

The 1999 BMW 540I has U.S. EPA estimates of 16–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (3 versions).

1999 BMW 540I at a glance

Safety recalls1

Owner complaints22

Combined16–18 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1999 BMW 540I recalls 1

Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:cables NHTSA Campaign #99V004000 · 04/01/1999

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.

Fix: DEALERS WILL APPLY A THICKNESS OF INSULATING TAPE TO THE CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE CLIP, AND INSTALL A REVISED CLIP.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1999 BMW 540I common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine And Engine Cooling

Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.

Service Brakes

Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

Electrical System

Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

Power Train

Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

Steering

Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.

Hydraulic

Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

1999 BMW 540I MPG & running costs

Combined16–18 mpg

City15 mpg

Highway21 mpg

Est. annual fuel cost$4,033

EPA size classCompact Cars

TransmissionAutomatic 5-spd or Manual 6-spd

Passenger volume93 cu ft

Cargo volume11 cu ft

5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$8,167 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 3 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1999 BMW 540I costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$20,165

Fuel only$20,165

Per mile$0.27

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length

188.2 in

Width

70.9 in

Height

55.9 in

Wheelbase

111.4 in

Curb weight

3,803 lb

Front track

59.1 in

Rear track

59.4 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1999 BMW 540I. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 10

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

Bulletin B510819 · Electrical System, Visibility · Jan 2024

The lower radiator coolant return hose may come in contact with the secondary air system check valve flange gasket when the engine coolant is at operating temperature due to coolant system pressure and expansion of the hose.

Bulletin B170100 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2023

TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.

Bulletin B013118 · Air Bags · Apr 2019

TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL REPAIRS This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 31 18 dated October 2018.

Bulletin B013118 · Air Bags · Apr 2019

TAKATA CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT. CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM. FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG MODULES.

Bulletin B011618 · Air Bags · Jan 2019

Radio / Navigation / Head Unit Identification Guide

Bulletin B650916 · Equipment · Nov 2018

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? custo…

Bulletin B011618 · Air Bags, Electrical System · Oct 2018

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 recalls;…

Bulletin B080119 · Air Bags · Feb 2018

SERVICE ACTION: PROGRAM DME: The incorrect dataset could be programmed into DME 5.2.1 control module.

Bulletin B122917 · Equipment · Dec 2017

SERVICE ACTION: PROGRAM DME (FOR O2 SENSORS): Due to DME software error, the following oxygen sensors plausibility fault codes may be stored in DME 5.2.1 control module:

Bulletin B122817 · Electrical System, Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2017

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the 540I. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the BMW 540I

The BMW 5 Series is an executive car manufactured and marketed by BMW since 1972. It is the successor to the BMW New Class sedans and is currently in its eighth generation. The car is sold as either a sedan or, since 1991, a station wagon. A 5-door fastback was sold between 2009 and 2017. Each successive generation has been given an internal G-code designation since 2017. Previously, a F-code designation was used between 2010 and 2016, while an E-code designation was used between 1972 and 2010. These are used to distinguish each model and generation from each other.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1999 BMW 540I vehicles on record

1999 BMW 540IWBADN51080BR65446

1999 BMW 540IWBADN61070GG87621

1999 BMW 540IWBADN11080GD94118

1999 BMW 540IWBA39710006570007

1999 BMW 540IWBADN61010GG86075

1999 BMW 540IWBADE610X0BU90307

1999 BMW 540IWBADN61010GG86805

1999 BMW 540IWBADN61000GG87699

1999 BMW 540IWBADN61010GG86481

1999 BMW 540IWBAHB61080BC20277

1999 BMW 540IWBADN61010GG88246

1999 BMW 540IWBADN61090GG86468

1999 BMW 540IWBADN61060GG87027

1999 BMW 540IWBADN61040GG85289

1999 BMW 540IWAPBA46L19HF40627

1999 BMW 540IWBADE61070BU90197

1999 BMW 540IWBADN51080BR65401

1999 BMW 540IWBADN5337XGC91765

1999 BMW 540IWBADN61070GG88249

Other BMW 540I model years

1999 BMW 540I — frequently asked questions

Does the 1999 BMW 540I have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1999 BMW 540I. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1999 BMW 540I?

Across all 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, service brakes, electrical system.

What gas mileage does the 1999 BMW 540I get?

The 1999 BMW 540I has U.S. EPA estimates of 16–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (3 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.