This Problem Across All Years
BMW issued a recall in October 2024 regarding the engine coolant pump electrical connector on my 2018 BMW X5 xDrive40e, warning of electrical shorts and fire risks. It's now late March 2025—approximately six later—and BMW dealerships still state explicitly they have no available remedy and no timeline for repair. Recently, my vehicle showed a drivetrain warning message, which I suspect is recall-related. I called BMW corporate recall hotline and my local BMW dealership (BMW of Tenafly) today (March 24, 2025). The dealership explicitly stated that they can only perform diagnostics, and even if their diagnostics confirm my drivetrain issue is recall-related, they 'cannot do anything' due to BMW's lack of available recall remedy. When I expressed concern to BMW of Tenafly representative that this recall involves serious safety risks (electrical shorts and potential fire), the dealership representative dismissed my concern by simply saying, 'every recall is urgent.' This response underscores my concern that BMW and its dealerships are not treating this recall issue with adequate seriousness or urgency, leaving consumers like myself at ongoing safety risk. They also mentioned charging $150/day storage if I leave my vehicle at their facility beyond diagnostics, which discourages vehicle owners from having their recall-related safety issues adequately addressed. I’m escalating to NHTSA now because BMW has not provided a recall remedy within a reasonable period, and I'm concerned about ongoing safety issue.
BMW issued a recall in October 2024 regarding the engine coolant pump electrical connector on my 2018 BMW X5 xDrive40e, warning of electrical shorts and fire risks. It's now late March 2025—approximately six later—and BMW dealerships still state explicitly they have no available remedy and no timeline for repair. Recently, my vehicle showed a drivetrain warning message, which I suspect is recall-related. I called BMW corporate recall hotline and my local BMW dealership (BMW of Tenafly) today (March 24, 2025). The dealership explicitly stated that they can only perform diagnostics, and even if their diagnostics confirm my drivetrain issue is recall-related, they 'cannot do anything' due to BMW's lack of available recall remedy. When I expressed concern to BMW of Tenafly representative that this recall involves serious safety risks (electrical shorts and potential fire), the dealership representative dismissed my concern by simply saying, 'every recall is urgent.' This response underscores my concern that BMW and its dealerships are not treating this recall issue with adequate seriousness or urgency, leaving consumers like myself at ongoing safety risk. They also mentioned charging $150/day storage if I leave my vehicle at their facility beyond diagnostics, which discourages vehicle owners from having their recall-related safety issues adequately addressed. I’m escalating to NHTSA now because BMW has not provided a recall remedy within a reasonable period, and I'm concerned about ongoing safety issue.
The front driveshaft is known to fail in these vehicles. Mine is very loose and my mechanic advised me to not drive the car anymore until I replace it. When it snaps off, it is known to destroy either the transmission or engine. This needs to be recalled by BMW.
The front driveshaft is known to fail in these vehicles. Mine is very loose and my mechanic advised me to not drive the car anymore until I replace it. When it snaps off, it is known to destroy either the transmission or engine. This needs to be recalled by BMW.
While driving moderately on suburban roads, the car suddenly jerked forward and stalled, and a warning came on indicating "drive train malfunction". The message said that continuing driving was possible and to contact dealer soon at convenience. Then, 30 seconds later while still driving, the car completely died. Engine died and car began coasting. Had to coast into a parking lot where the car came to a complete stop. Tried troubleshooting and turning the engine on and off for an hour; the car would turn on for a split second, stutter and growl as if it was out of gas (it was not), and then shut off. Car had to be towed (six hours later) and is awaiting inspection at dealer. Nothing at all indicated an issue prior to this happening; in fact, the car was just serviced at the dealer literally ten days ago. Incredibly unsafe and insanely frustrating experience to have the car randomly and without warning die while traveling in traffic.
While driving moderately on suburban roads, the car suddenly jerked forward and stalled, and a warning came on indicating "drive train malfunction". The message said that continuing driving was possible and to contact dealer soon at convenience. Then, 30 seconds later while still driving, the car completely died. Engine died and car began coasting. Had to coast into a parking lot where the car came to a complete stop. Tried troubleshooting and turning the engine on and off for an hour; the car would turn on for a split second, stutter and growl as if it was out of gas (it was not), and then shut off. Car had to be towed (six hours later) and is awaiting inspection at dealer. Nothing at all indicated an issue prior to this happening; in fact, the car was just serviced at the dealer literally ten days ago. Incredibly unsafe and insanely frustrating experience to have the car randomly and without warning die while traveling in traffic.
I own a 2018 BMW X5 x35d and received a notification from BMW about recall under recall number 21V907 last November 2021. It has been 8 months and I've been following up with BMW every 3 to 4 weeks and up to now, they still cannot give me an ETA on when the recall will be fixed. This is totally unacceptable.
I own a 2018 BMW X5 x35d and received a notification from BMW about recall under recall number 21V907 last November 2021. It has been 8 months and I've been following up with BMW every 3 to 4 weeks and up to now, they still cannot give me an ETA on when the recall will be fixed. This is totally unacceptable.
While driving the BMW X540I on the highway, went to change lanes for an obstacle/debris on the vehicle shut the power of the engine for some seconds and I almost got on a crash due to the vehicle not accelerating. Then the vehicle display a message on the screen “drivetrain malfunction- possible to drive moderately” I pull over on the next exit and shut the vehicle off at the gas station. Once I turn on the vehicle the message was gone but I’m planning yo have the vehicle check by the dealer. This is not safe for anyone, vehicles with this problem could cause a tragic accident. Please investigate if there are other vehicles with this problem.
While driving the BMW X540I on the highway, went to change lanes for an obstacle/debris on the vehicle shut the power of the engine for some seconds and I almost got on a crash due to the vehicle not accelerating. Then the vehicle display a message on the screen “drivetrain malfunction- possible to drive moderately” I pull over on the next exit and shut the vehicle off at the gas station. Once I turn on the vehicle the message was gone but I’m planning yo have the vehicle check by the dealer. This is not safe for anyone, vehicles with this problem could cause a tragic accident. Please investigate if there are other vehicles with this problem.
On 11/10/2021 while driving on US Rte 29 in Silver Spring, MD, the car stalled during stop & go rush hour traffic. The car would not move forward in drive but I had enough momentum to move partially in the shoulder lane. Next the car began to drift backwards so I kept my foot on the brakes until the tow truck arrived. I had the car towed to the BMW dealer and the next day I was informed that it needed a new transmission for a cost of $26,000.00. My car has under 72,000 miles and I maintained all recommended preventative maintenance. I bought it brand new for $84,000.00 with 2 miles. Please investigate this obvious manufacturer defect as I believe the dealer and/or BMW should handle all costs. I was lucky since innocent commuters could have been severely injured and killed; including myself. The experience was terrifying and presents a safety Hazzard to the public. These tech heavy vehicles are good for the environment and societal progress but they must perform according to the expectations and requirements of the US Government. The BMW Service Dept. has decided upon merit to my complaint and lowered my contribution to $8,000.00 after I just paid $84,000.00 for the new vehicle. Again, I believe they should handle all costs. US consumers expect safety, reliability and dependability on all vehicles and when that fails, we only have your Agency to supersede and demand justice. Thank you for this opportunity. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). Consumer's 2018 BMW 40e plug-in hybrid cut off again while driving. Also, had to have it towed on January 18, 2022.
On 11/10/2021 while driving on US Rte 29 in Silver Spring, MD, the car stalled during stop & go rush hour traffic. The car would not move forward in drive but I had enough momentum to move partially in the shoulder lane. Next the car began to drift backwards so I kept my foot on the brakes until the tow truck arrived. I had the car towed to the BMW dealer and the next day I was informed that it needed a new transmission for a cost of $26,000.00. My car has under 72,000 miles and I maintained all recommended preventative maintenance. I bought it brand new for $84,000.00 with 2 miles. Please investigate this obvious manufacturer defect as I believe the dealer and/or BMW should handle all costs. I was lucky since innocent commuters could have been severely injured and killed; including myself. The experience was terrifying and presents a safety Hazzard to the public. These tech heavy vehicles are good for the environment and societal progress but they must perform according to the expectations and requirements of the US Government. The BMW Service Dept. has decided upon merit to my complaint and lowered my contribution to $8,000.00 after I just paid $84,000.00 for the new vehicle. Again, I believe they should handle all costs. US consumers expect safety, reliability and dependability on all vehicles and when that fails, we only have your Agency to supersede and demand justice. Thank you for this opportunity. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). Consumer's 2018 BMW 40e plug-in hybrid cut off again while driving. Also, had to have it towed on January 18, 2022.
I was driving in the number 1 lane (leftmost lane) when the dashboard display indicated there was a transmission fault and warned that I should pull over to a safe spot immediately. With the vehicle rapidly slowing, I had to maneuver through traffic to the right side of the road with great difficulty. It was very dangerous to make that maneuver with freeway traffic traveling at approximately 65 to 75 MPH. The vehicle is at the BMW dealer in Norwalk California and has not yet been examined for the problem. The dealer has confirmed that the engine will crank but will not start. There was no warning prior to the engine/drivetrain failure. The vehicle currently has approximately 57,000 miles on the odometer. This vehicle previously experienced a high pressure fuel pump failure at approximately 21,000 miles on the odometer. The previous failure occurred at a traffic light in town and the hazard to my safety was less severe.
I was driving in the number 1 lane (leftmost lane) when the dashboard display indicated there was a transmission fault and warned that I should pull over to a safe spot immediately. With the vehicle rapidly slowing, I had to maneuver through traffic to the right side of the road with great difficulty. It was very dangerous to make that maneuver with freeway traffic traveling at approximately 65 to 75 MPH. The vehicle is at the BMW dealer in Norwalk California and has not yet been examined for the problem. The dealer has confirmed that the engine will crank but will not start. There was no warning prior to the engine/drivetrain failure. The vehicle currently has approximately 57,000 miles on the odometer. This vehicle previously experienced a high pressure fuel pump failure at approximately 21,000 miles on the odometer. The previous failure occurred at a traffic light in town and the hazard to my safety was less severe.
THE CAR DISPLAYED DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION WARNING MESSAGE MULTIPLE TIMES AFTER THE CAR REACHED 10K MILES. THE DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION MESSAGE WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES AND DEALER FAILED TO PROVIDE PROPER EXPLANATION AS WELL AS FAILED TO PERMANENTLY FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CAR IS HYBRID AND THE ISSUE HAPPENS RANDOMLY WHEN DRIVEN AT SPEED BETWEEN 60MPH TO 80 MPH. WHEN THE WARNING MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED THE CAR AIR CONDITION STOPS FUNCTION COMPLETELY, THE CAR LOSES ACCELERATION AND MAINTAIN SPEED OF 60 MPH EVEN IF THE GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED FIRMLY.
THE CAR DISPLAYED DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION WARNING MESSAGE MULTIPLE TIMES AFTER THE CAR REACHED 10K MILES. THE DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION MESSAGE WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES AND DEALER FAILED TO PROVIDE PROPER EXPLANATION AS WELL AS FAILED TO PERMANENTLY FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CAR IS HYBRID AND THE ISSUE HAPPENS RANDOMLY WHEN DRIVEN AT SPEED BETWEEN 60MPH TO 80 MPH. WHEN THE WARNING MESSAGE IS DISPLAYED THE CAR AIR CONDITION STOPS FUNCTION COMPLETELY, THE CAR LOSES ACCELERATION AND MAINTAIN SPEED OF 60 MPH EVEN IF THE GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED FIRMLY.