The 2000 BMW 540it has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 17,700 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train. Last updated July 5, 2026.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE LAMPS IN THESE VEHICLES ARE CONTROLLED BY A SWITCH ACTIVATED BY THE MOVEMENT OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS SWITCH COULD FAIL INTERNALLY, CAUSING IT TO REMAIN EITHER IN THE "BRAKE LAMPS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LAMPS ON" POSITION.
Consequence
IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LAMPS EITHER WILL NOT OPERATE OR WILL BE CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED, REGARDLESS OF BRAKE PEDAL POSITION.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LAMP SWITCH WITH AN IMPROVED SWITCH.
Complaints by component
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
1
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
1
Total complaints2
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Both rear seat belts have failed. The mechanisms has not allowed them to move in or out, effectively making them useless. The first was under warranty, but no parts were in stock and we did not leave the car. About a month later, the other side broke. We had not been using the car and finally took…”
“While driving 30 mph vehicle vibrated from in the rear. Consumer heard a knocking noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealership, and mechanic determined that rear driveline failed. *ak”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2000 BMW 540it as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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