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Vehicle recall 98V142000 · June 22, 1998

BMW 540i, 540iA and 3 more models

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles.

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

Summary
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The differential pinion shaft within the differential case assembly was produced without the appropriate surface hardening. This can result in the shaft experiencing premature wear.
Consequence
This condition will cause a noise from the differential and, ultimately, failure of the shaft and loss of drive.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the entire differential assembly.
Notes
Owner notification began December 28, 1998.OWNERS who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.ALSO contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

Recall details

NHTSA campaign
98V142000
Reported to NHTSA
June 22, 1998
Filed by
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Owner notification
December 28, 1998
Vehicles potentially affected
1,100
Initiated by
the manufacturer
Components
Power train › Driveline › Differential unit
Recall 98V142000 on nhtsa.gov, with the manufacturer’s documents

Vehicles covered

As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.

Has your BMW been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A BMW dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.