Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 BMW 540i, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 7 | 23% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 7 | 23% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 13% |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 6% |
| Engine | 2 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 3% |
| Steering | 1 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The audio suddenly stops and my turn signals also stop working. When this happens when I'm in traffic, this is very frightening because I cannot signal lane changes or turns. Turning off the ignition and restarting the
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
Car had sat for about a week since I had driven it. I opened the driver door, inserted the key, and turned the key to the starting position. It failed to crank after the dash lights lit up and then the driver steering wh
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I needed to move the car after it was sitting for about 3 weeks. It would not start due to the battery was run down. As soon as I started charging the battery, the front passenger airbag exploded causing extensive damage
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 540I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AS METAL SHARDS STARTED TO FALL FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE AND THE
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 540I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED, CAUSING THEM TO OVERHEAT AND MELT THE CASING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW 540I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE ENGINE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE V
NHTSA complaint: Engine
WIRING HARNESS IN LOOM AT CONNECTION BETWEEN BODY AND TRUNK LID IS SHOWING CRACKED WIRES WHICH CAN LEAD TO A VARIETY OF SYMPTOMS WHEN WIRES SHORT. TRUNK WILL ONLY OPEN MANUALLY WITH KEY. KEY FOB REMOTE AND INSIDE VEHIC
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
LUCKY I WAS STOPPED WHEN THIS OCCURRED. MY ENGINE MADE A TERRIBLE NOISE AND CUT OUT. I WENT TO RESTART MY ENGINE AND NOTICED THAT ALL MY INDICATOR LIGHTS WERE ON. I WENT TO DRIVE AND MY POWER STEERING WAS COMPLETELY SHOT
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2000 BMW 540i. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000-2003 525i Sedan, 530i Sedan, 540i Sedan, 2001-2003 525i Sports Wagon and 540i Sports Wagon vehicles, and 2000-2004 X5 SAV 3.0i, X5 SAV 4.4i, and X5 SAV 4.6is vehicles. This recall affects certain vehicles where the original steeri
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle for an optional sports steering wheel with an affected
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.
Risk: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LAMPS EITHER WILL NOT OPERATE OR WILL BE CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED, REGARDLESS OF BRAKE PEDAL POSITION.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LAMP SWITCH WITH AN IMPROVED SWITCH.
| Reliability raw | 83 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 61 | average |
| Depreciation | 65 | good |
| Performance | 68 | good |
| Efficiency | 32 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 7 of them (23%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 83/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2000 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 68/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.