High Severity Issue
This component has been associated with crashes, fires, or deaths.
This Problem Across All Years
My parked vehicle, with the ignition off, caught fire while I was inside the gym. Within10-15 mins of entering the gym, the gym intercom announced that a car matching the description of my vehicle was on fire on the parking lot. When I went outside, firefighters were actively extinguishing the flams and cutting in the hood of the car. The vehicle was ultimately destroyed and considered a total loss. The vehicle has an active recall warning of a potential fire risk, even when the car is parked and turned off. The fire occurred without any action on my part, and I could have been seriously injured or killed. Also, others as well.
My parked vehicle, with the ignition off, caught fire while I was inside the gym. Within10-15 mins of entering the gym, the gym intercom announced that a car matching the description of my vehicle was on fire on the parking lot. When I went outside, firefighters were actively extinguishing the flams and cutting in the hood of the car. The vehicle was ultimately destroyed and considered a total loss. The vehicle has an active recall warning of a potential fire risk, even when the car is parked and turned off. The fire occurred without any action on my part, and I could have been seriously injured or killed. Also, others as well.
BMW updates the car software by sending Remote Software Updates (RSU) using the the Over The Air (OTA) method. The updates include Driver Assistance updates and fixes. My car amongst many other BMW owners worldwide are reporting on the internet that the RSU process is not working and that the updates download OTA to the car but they do not do the final installation step. FYI OTA is currently the only method BMW uses to send updates to the vehicles . BMW replies to queries about the failure by directing owners to their dealers. The dealers than update the latest RSU at their facility . Cars in warranty are not charged by the dealers , but cars out of warranty are quoted in excess of $400 to install the updates. FYI updates are sent several times per years so those which require dealer service to install are faced with excessive cost for the updates. I currently refused to pay the dealer to install the latest RSU and my car is now at risk of not receiving the latest safety updates. Below is a snapshot of my car screen showing the update in limbo and requiring a dealer fix to perform "step 3" [XXX] Thank you , [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
BMW updates the car software by sending Remote Software Updates (RSU) using the the Over The Air (OTA) method. The updates include Driver Assistance updates and fixes. My car amongst many other BMW owners worldwide are reporting on the internet that the RSU process is not working and that the updates download OTA to the car but they do not do the final installation step. FYI OTA is currently the only method BMW uses to send updates to the vehicles . BMW replies to queries about the failure by directing owners to their dealers. The dealers than update the latest RSU at their facility . Cars in warranty are not charged by the dealers , but cars out of warranty are quoted in excess of $400 to install the updates. FYI updates are sent several times per years so those which require dealer service to install are faced with excessive cost for the updates. I currently refused to pay the dealer to install the latest RSU and my car is now at risk of not receiving the latest safety updates. Below is a snapshot of my car screen showing the update in limbo and requiring a dealer fix to perform "step 3" [XXX] Thank you , [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
During my ownership of this vehicle, it started developing a terrible vinegar/mildew smell when turning on A/C a while ago, which is really unpleasant. This is concerning to me because I am afraid of potential health risks, and as a premium vehicle, this type of problem is not acceptable in my opinion. I am also an owner of a 1998 BMW that exhibits zero AC issues, so it is quite frustrating that a ~20 year newer vehicle has this issue and this feels like a design flaw of my newer vehicle. I have spoken to my dealer couple times and they claimed changing my air filter cabin would help, but it hasn’t. The dealer has explained to me that they would need to perform a deep clean in the AC vents to completely remove the smell and I would need to pay out of pocket, which I don’t believe is fair. As a result, I have contacted BMW HQ, but they have told me that this is not something they can assist with. Therefore, I am reaching out to NHTSA to request further assistance.
During my ownership of this vehicle, it started developing a terrible vinegar/mildew smell when turning on A/C a while ago, which is really unpleasant. This is concerning to me because I am afraid of potential health risks, and as a premium vehicle, this type of problem is not acceptable in my opinion. I am also an owner of a 1998 BMW that exhibits zero AC issues, so it is quite frustrating that a ~20 year newer vehicle has this issue and this feels like a design flaw of my newer vehicle. I have spoken to my dealer couple times and they claimed changing my air filter cabin would help, but it hasn’t. The dealer has explained to me that they would need to perform a deep clean in the AC vents to completely remove the smell and I would need to pay out of pocket, which I don’t believe is fair. As a result, I have contacted BMW HQ, but they have told me that this is not something they can assist with. Therefore, I am reaching out to NHTSA to request further assistance.
A check engine light or check control message is present, and one or more of the following faults may be stored for the active air flaps behind the kidney grills. This is a KNOWN issue with other models. (SI B17 06 18)
A check engine light or check control message is present, and one or more of the following faults may be stored for the active air flaps behind the kidney grills. This is a KNOWN issue with other models. (SI B17 06 18)
I was driving on the 5 North Freeway near downtown Stockton at around 9:30 AM when, the sunroof on my car exploded. There was no visible objects or debris that had gone airborne that hit the car. The sunroof was closed and the sun shade was opened. The loud explosion sent glass throughout the interior of the car, left my ears ringing for ten minutes, and nearly cased me to get in a car accident. I inspected the interior of the car and could not find any debris associated with the incident. This incident posses a big danger and could even lead to serious injuries.
I was driving on the 5 North Freeway near downtown Stockton at around 9:30 AM when, the sunroof on my car exploded. There was no visible objects or debris that had gone airborne that hit the car. The sunroof was closed and the sun shade was opened. The loud explosion sent glass throughout the interior of the car, left my ears ringing for ten minutes, and nearly cased me to get in a car accident. I inspected the interior of the car and could not find any debris associated with the incident. This incident posses a big danger and could even lead to serious injuries.
TURNING OFF THE ENGINE. DANGEROUS ISSUE WHEN ONE STOPS AT THE END OF A TRIP, ONE IS ALMOST ALWAYS IN FORWARD OR REVERSE GEAR. IN THIS SITUATION, WHEN ONE PUSHES THE STOP/START BUTTON AT THE END OF A TRIP, THE ENGINE TURNS OFF AND THE CAR GOES ELECTRONICALLY INTO PARK. NO NEED TO TOUCH THE GEAR LEVER AT ALL. HOWEVER, IF THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF AND ONE IS IN NEUTRAL THE CAR DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT INTO PARK. THIS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I WAS IN NEUTRAL, PUSHED THE ENGINE OFF BUTTON AND STARTED TO LEAVE THE CAR, WHICH BEGAN TO ROLL DOWN A SMALL HILL, AS IT WAS NOT IN PARK. THIS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE BEFORE I REALIZED THE REASON ' FOR SOME REASON I WAS IN NEUTRAL WHEN I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THE SYSTEM WAS DESIGNED THIS WAY. IF ONE IS IN FORWARD OR REVERSE GEAR AND TURNS THE ENGINE OFF, THE PARK IS AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGED. IF ON IS IN NEUTRAL AND TURNS THE ENGINE OFF, THE CAR STAYS IN NEUTRAL ' HORRIBLE DESIGN. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS DONE FOR TOWING THE CAR. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN CONSISTENCY ACROSS ALL THREE GEAR POSITIONS!
TURNING OFF THE ENGINE. DANGEROUS ISSUE WHEN ONE STOPS AT THE END OF A TRIP, ONE IS ALMOST ALWAYS IN FORWARD OR REVERSE GEAR. IN THIS SITUATION, WHEN ONE PUSHES THE STOP/START BUTTON AT THE END OF A TRIP, THE ENGINE TURNS OFF AND THE CAR GOES ELECTRONICALLY INTO PARK. NO NEED TO TOUCH THE GEAR LEVER AT ALL. HOWEVER, IF THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF AND ONE IS IN NEUTRAL THE CAR DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT INTO PARK. THIS ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I WAS IN NEUTRAL, PUSHED THE ENGINE OFF BUTTON AND STARTED TO LEAVE THE CAR, WHICH BEGAN TO ROLL DOWN A SMALL HILL, AS IT WAS NOT IN PARK. THIS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE BEFORE I REALIZED THE REASON ' FOR SOME REASON I WAS IN NEUTRAL WHEN I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THE SYSTEM WAS DESIGNED THIS WAY. IF ONE IS IN FORWARD OR REVERSE GEAR AND TURNS THE ENGINE OFF, THE PARK IS AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGED. IF ON IS IN NEUTRAL AND TURNS THE ENGINE OFF, THE CAR STAYS IN NEUTRAL ' HORRIBLE DESIGN. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS DONE FOR TOWING THE CAR. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN CONSISTENCY ACROSS ALL THREE GEAR POSITIONS!
THE CHROME TRIM UNDER THE DISPLAY SCREEN REFLECTS THE SUN CAUSING A GLARE THAT REFLECTS BACK INTO THE DRIVER'S EYES AND ALSO MAKES THE SCREEN ABOVE IT VIRTUALLY UNREADABLE ON SUNNY DAYS WHEN DRIVING EAST, NE OR SE. OF COURSE, THE POSITION OF THE SUN DEPENDS ON LOCATION, TIME OF DAY AND SEASON. IN MY CASE THE GLARE REFLECTING OFF THE CHROME TRIM IS MOST PROMINENT WHEN DRIVING EAST ON A SUNNY DAY BETWEEN 10:00 AM AND 2:00 PM IN THE DETROIT AREA DURING SUMMER MONTHS.
THE CHROME TRIM UNDER THE DISPLAY SCREEN REFLECTS THE SUN CAUSING A GLARE THAT REFLECTS BACK INTO THE DRIVER'S EYES AND ALSO MAKES THE SCREEN ABOVE IT VIRTUALLY UNREADABLE ON SUNNY DAYS WHEN DRIVING EAST, NE OR SE. OF COURSE, THE POSITION OF THE SUN DEPENDS ON LOCATION, TIME OF DAY AND SEASON. IN MY CASE THE GLARE REFLECTING OFF THE CHROME TRIM IS MOST PROMINENT WHEN DRIVING EAST ON A SUNNY DAY BETWEEN 10:00 AM AND 2:00 PM IN THE DETROIT AREA DURING SUMMER MONTHS.