# 1999 BMW 540IA — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
> NHTSA complaint `700844` · 2008-12-21 · BMW of North America, LLC
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 0
- **Fire:** Yes
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** Yes
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** BMW
- **Model:** 540IA
- **Year:** 1999
- **Manufacturer:** BMW of North America, LLC
- **Component:** ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- **Miles at failure:** 51,000
## Narrative
MY 1999 BMW 540I SPORT CAUGHT FIRE 12/19/08 WHILE IT WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY OF MY HOME.  I NOTICED FLAMES ABOUT 1:30 AM  COMING FROM THE SIDES OF THE HOOD.  I HAD DRIVEN THE CAR TO DINNER THAT NIGHT AND IT WAS PARKED AND LOCKED IN MY DRIVEWAY.  I JUST HAPPENED TO NOTICE THE FLAMES THROUGH THE WINDOW OF MY HOUSE.  CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT AND CAR WAS TOTALLY BURNED AND MELTED. ONLY THE REAR TRUNK AREA WAS LEFT.  I COULD FIND NO MENTION OF THIS TYPE OF FIRE OCCURRING ON THE WEBSITES OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS. NO RECALLS THAT I COULD FIND.  MY CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED WHILE I HAD IT.  THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD GOOD RECORDS ALSO.  I HAD ONLY OWNED IT ABOUT 6 MONTHS.  IT WAS BOUGHT FROM THE PREVIOUS OWNER. *TR
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*