NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
54 reports109,084 miles · Jun 3, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 745I. WHILE HAVING REGULAR MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON VEHICLE, THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING, STATING THAT THE OIL PAN AND GASKET WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS AND PROVID…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 745I. WHILE HAVING REGULAR MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON VEHICLE, THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING, STATING THAT THE OIL PAN AND GASKET WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS AND PROVIDED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,084 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,347. UPDATED 07/08/11*LJ UPDATED 07/15/11
NHTSA ODI #10404336
83,700 miles · May 10, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH AND APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD IN ORDER TO GET A RESPONSE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V446000 (SERVICE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH AND APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD IN ORDER TO GET A RESPONSE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM) BUT THE MANUFACTURER MADE THE CONTACT AWARE THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE BRAKE MALFUNCTION COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,700.
NHTSA ODI #10399911
Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2002 BMW 745I. CONSUMER STATES THAT HE RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND VACUUM LINE REPAIR. CONSUMER PAID FOR THE REPAIR IN JULY 2010 PRIOR TO THE OFFICIAL RECALL. *KB THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT.
NHTSA ODI #10375891
60,000 miles · Dec 9, 2010
Parking Brake
THE PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY LOCATED IN THE TRUNK OF THE 2002 BMW 745I, IS FAULTY. THE GEARS INSIDE THE ASSEMBLY ARE MADE OF PLASTIC AND NYLON. WHEN THE NYLON GEAR BREAKS, AND IT WILL, YOU WILL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO USE YOUR PARKING BRAKE. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO BMW OF HONOLULU TODAY AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PART WAS ABOUT $1100.00. THE …
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THE PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY LOCATED IN THE TRUNK OF THE 2002 BMW 745I, IS FAULTY. THE GEARS INSIDE THE ASSEMBLY ARE MADE OF PLASTIC AND NYLON. WHEN THE NYLON GEAR BREAKS, AND IT WILL, YOU WILL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO USE YOUR PARKING BRAKE. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO BMW OF HONOLULU TODAY AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PART WAS ABOUT $1100.00. THE SERVICE ADVISOR EVEN TOLD ME THAT HE HAD SEEN 4 OF THE 7 SERIES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE PAST MONTH. I HAVE TO DRIVE AROUND WITH THIS YELLOW PARKING LIGHT ON MY DASH. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT BMW SHOULD TAKE OF. THIS COULD EASILY BE REMEDIED BY BMW REPLACING THE NYLON GEAR WITH A MORE DURABLE ONE, BUT THEY WOULD RATHER HAVE THE CONSUMER BUY THE ENTIRE UNIT FOR $1100.00, THEN PAY ANOTHER $200-$300 FOR LABOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10369833
85,000 miles · Jun 9, 2010
Electrical SystemPower Train
SUBJECT: TRANSMISSION FAILSAFE ISSUE ON BMW 745 I'VE BEEN HAVING ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION FAILSAFE ERRORS ON MY VEHICLE FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS. BMW OF MANHATTAN COULDN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM TWICE WITHIN A 2 YEAR PERIOD. NO ONE WANTS TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BUT MY VEHICLE STALLS, LOSES GEARS AND DOESN'T START. THESE FAULTS OCCUR …
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SUBJECT: TRANSMISSION FAILSAFE ISSUE ON BMW 745 I'VE BEEN HAVING ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION FAILSAFE ERRORS ON MY VEHICLE FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS. BMW OF MANHATTAN COULDN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM TWICE WITHIN A 2 YEAR PERIOD. NO ONE WANTS TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BUT MY VEHICLE STALLS, LOSES GEARS AND DOESN'T START. THESE FAULTS OCCUR EVERY WEEK RIGHT NOW. THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE ON THESE CARS AND BMW DOESN'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT! WHEN I HAD THE WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE THEY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING AND NOW THAT THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED THEY DON'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING EITHER. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND HAZARDOUS FOR DRIVING AND NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT BEFORE SOMEONE WILL GET SERIOUSLY HURT. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR MORE DETAILS IF NEEDED AT [XXX]. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10335559
90,000 miles · Feb 24, 2010
Equipment Adaptive/mobilityPower Train
VEHICLE: 2002 BMW 745I 7 SERIES 2002 BMW 745I WAS THE FIRST RELEASE OF THIS NEW MODEL AND THE MANUFACTURER (BMW) IS AWARE OF THE SERIOUS PROBLEMS AND HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED AND FIXED THEM IN THE LATER MODELS ON 2/2/10, I TOOK MY CAR IN TO WEATHERFORD BMW FOR SERVICE DUE TO A TRANSMISSION FAILSAFE FAILURE CHECK ENGINE PROBLEM AND I…
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VEHICLE: 2002 BMW 745I 7 SERIES 2002 BMW 745I WAS THE FIRST RELEASE OF THIS NEW MODEL AND THE MANUFACTURER (BMW) IS AWARE OF THE SERIOUS PROBLEMS AND HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED AND FIXED THEM IN THE LATER MODELS ON 2/2/10, I TOOK MY CAR IN TO WEATHERFORD BMW FOR SERVICE DUE TO A TRANSMISSION FAILSAFE FAILURE CHECK ENGINE PROBLEM AND INFORMED THAT THIS IS ONE OF THE KNOWN 2002/2003 7 SERIES BMW PROBLEMS. ON 2/4/10, I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR IS FIXED AND TEST DRIVEN. I DROVE THE CAR FOR A TOTAL OF 10-15 MILES WHEN THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE FAILSAFE FAILURE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT RECURRED. I CALLED BMW OF NORTHERN AMERICA AND A REPRESENTATIVE ON 2/9/2010. SHE TOOK MY COMPLAINT AND INFORMED ME THAT BMW IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THE 2002 AND 2003 7 SERIES MODEL AND DID EXTEND WARRANTY FOR ALL OWNERS FOR 6 MONTHS TO HELP FIX SUCH PROBLEM. I INFORMED HER THAT I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE KNOWN PROBLEMS AND OF THE WARRANTY EXTENSION. SHE CHECKED THE CAR HISTORY AND INFORMED ME THAT THE OWNERSHIP RECORD WAS NEVER CHANGED TO MY NAME, AND SHE THEN CHANGED IT. A REPRESENTATIVE FURTHER INFORMED ME THAT A COMMITTEE IS SETUP BY BMW THAT DECIDES WHEN AND WHO TO GRANT A ONETIME ASSISTANCE AT NO COST. SHE THEN ASKED IF I HAVE BENEFITED FROM BMW ASSISTANCE IN THE PAST, TO WHICH I ANSWERED NO. A REPRESENTATIVE THEN SAID IN A CASE SUCH AS MINE, THE DECISION MAKING COMMITTEE CAN ONLY EXTEND THIS OFFER ONCE. I FURTHER THAT BMW WARRANTY PRECLUDES OWNERS OF THE 7 SERIES FROM TAMPERING WITH THE TRANSMISSION AS IT IS SEALED. SINCE BMW WARRANTY COVER UP TO 100,000 MILES AND MY CAR IS ONLY 90,000 MILES. A REPRESENTATIVE CALLED ME ON 2/18/2010 THAT BMW HAS DECLINED ANY ASSISTANCE TO ME WITHOUT REASON. BMW ACKNOWLEDGES KNOWN SAFETY PROBLEMS WITH THE 2002 AND 2003 745I MODELS THAT REQUIRED EXTENSION OF WARRANTY TO SOME OWNERS. I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THE CAR AND NEED ASSISTANCE OR AN EXTENSION OF THE WARRANTY OFFERED TO OTHER OWNERS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10314002
114,000 miles · Feb 2, 2010
Power Train
THE VEHICLE JAMS INTO 1ST GEAR WHEN COMING TO A STOP. OCCURS JUST ABOUT EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED AFTER HIGH SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE'S MECHETRONIC MODULE, TRANSMISSION COMPUTER, WAS REPLACED AT OVER 3,000 DOLLARS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10304049
102,000 miles · Sep 22, 2009
Power Train
I TOOK MY CAR TO BMW SERVICE DEPT. IN MARCH AND APRIL TO GET MY CAR SERVICED FOR SCHEDULED SERVICE AND FOR THE "CHECK ENGINE SOON" LIGHT DISPLAYED. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE SERVICE I EXPERIENCED MY CAR HESITATING TO START AND ALSO SOUNDED ROUGH AND IDLED. I CALLED THE NEXT MORNING AND SPOKE WITH A SERVICE ADVISOR ABOUT MY C…
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I TOOK MY CAR TO BMW SERVICE DEPT. IN MARCH AND APRIL TO GET MY CAR SERVICED FOR SCHEDULED SERVICE AND FOR THE "CHECK ENGINE SOON" LIGHT DISPLAYED. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE SERVICE I EXPERIENCED MY CAR HESITATING TO START AND ALSO SOUNDED ROUGH AND IDLED. I CALLED THE NEXT MORNING AND SPOKE WITH A SERVICE ADVISOR ABOUT MY CAR AND HE SAID TO BRING IT IN. I STOPPED THERE ON MY WAY TO WORK THE NEXT MORNING AND THEY STARTED MY CAR AND ASKED ME WHAT TYPE OF GAS I WAS USING AND I SAID EXXON. I WAS TOLD THAT I PROBABLY GOT A HOLD OF SOME BAD GAS AND WHEN I ASKED WHAT SHOULD I DO, I WAS TOLD THAT I SHOULD WAIT UNTIL ABOUT 7-8 FILL UPS TO ALLOW THE GAS TO BURN OUT AND IF I STILL EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM TO BRING IT BACK. THE SERVICE ADVISOR INFORMED ME THAT BMW RECOMMENDS USING TEXACO GAS WITH TECHRON. RECENTLY, I WAS TRAVELING OUT OF TOWN WITH MY TWO NEPHEWS IN MY CAR IN THE FAST LANE ON ROUTE 95 SOUTH WHEN I HEARD A SOUND THAT RESEMBLED A CAR BACK FIRING AND THEN FELT MY CAR LOSE POWER WHICH WAS ONE OF THE MOST FRIGHTENING SITUATIONS THAT I'VE EVER EXPERIENCED. I DRIFTED TO THE SIDE AND NOTICED ON MY DISPLAY MY CAR READ "TRANSMISSION FAILSAFE MODE" AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN DRIVE EVEN THOUGH IT WAS STILL RUNNING AND THE "CHECK ENGINE SOON" LIGHT WAS DISPLAYED. I HAD MY CAR TOWED HOME BECAUSE THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT OPEN. THE FOLLOWING WEEK I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE BMW TO PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND TOLD THEM TO NOTIFY MY HUSBAND OF THE RESULTS. MY HUSBAND WAS TOLD THAT THE DIAGNOSTIC CODES WERE DUE TO A BAD MECHATRONIC UNIT, BUT THERE WERE RECOMMENDING REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION TO THE TUNE OF $12,000 (REMANUFACTURED) DUE TO BEING CHANGED IN 2004. I WAS INFURIATED BY THE FACT THAT THE SERVICE MANUAL SAYS THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE SERVICED AT 1000,000 MILES, AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION NOR WAS I NOTIFIED BY BMW THAT NEEDED TO TAKE PLACE. TO BE PLACED IN A DANGEROUS AND POTENTIAL FATAL SITUATION AT MY COST IS UNACCEPTABLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10284931
99,800 miles · Mar 16, 2009
Air Bags
MY VEHICLE IS A 2002 BMW 745I THAT HAS AN DRIVE SYSTEM AND THE LATEST WARNING NOTE CAME UP ON THE IDRIVE SCREEN THAT SAYS, "FAULT IN PASS.-RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. FASTEN AND CONTINUE TO WEAR BELTS. PLEASE CONTACT THE NEAREST BMW CENTER". MY RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THERE IS A SERV…
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MY VEHICLE IS A 2002 BMW 745I THAT HAS AN DRIVE SYSTEM AND THE LATEST WARNING NOTE CAME UP ON THE IDRIVE SCREEN THAT SAYS, "FAULT IN PASS.-RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. FASTEN AND CONTINUE TO WEAR BELTS. PLEASE CONTACT THE NEAREST BMW CENTER". MY RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN THAT BMW INITIATED THAT COVERS THIS ISSUE FOR A 10 YEAR PERIOD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10262000
67,000 miles · Sep 24, 2008
Air BagsElectrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 745I. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION, THE FRONTAL AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE AIR BA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 745I. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION, THE FRONTAL AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE AIR BAG SENSOR. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 69,800. UPDATED 10/16/08 *BF THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE AC WAS NOT WORKKING ON HIGH. UPDATED 10/21/08.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10243353
NHTSA investigations
2EA12002 · Vehicle Rollaway
Opened Apr 10, 2012 · Closed Jan 24, 2013
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Electrical System:ignition; Electrical System:ignition:switch; Power Train:automatic Transmission
In a letter dated October 16, 2012, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR), NHTSA Recall No. 12V-502 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving the possibility of unattended vehicle rollaway in MY 2005 through 2008 BMW 7-Series (approximately 45,000) vehicles equipped with the Comfort Access Option.The Comfort Access option allows the driver to start and stop the engine (by pressing the engine start / stop button) without inserting the key fob into the vehicles key slot in the instrument panel.Subject vehicles not equipped with the Comfort Access option require the key fob be inserted the key slot to start the engine.Upon removal of the key from the key slot the vehicle will automatically shift to Park if the driver has not done so using the gearshift lever.Sunject vehicles equipped with the Comfort Access option are designed such that when the vehicle is stopped with the service brakes applied and the transmission in Drive or Reverse, the driver can push the engine start/stop button one time, stopping the engine and automatically shifting the transmission to Park.In its DIR, BMW identified a condition such that if the driver depressed the start-stop button multiple times in rapid succession, the transmission could shift to Neutral instead of Park.With the transmission in neutral, depending on the slope of the road, the vehicle could rollaway if unattended.In review of data submitted to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) and of reports submitted to BMW, ODI identified 20 reports alleging vehicle rollaway involving vehicles equipped with Comfort Access.The vehicles identified in these reports are all subject to recall 12V-502.Ten of these reports were identified as likely related to the defect described in recall 12V-502.Two of the reports are likely related to other mechanical failures.The remaining 8 allegations of vehicle rollaway could not be associated with a specific cause.There are 32 reports alleging vehicle rollaway in the subject vehicles not equipped with the Comfort Access option.A vehicle based safety defect trend was not identified in these reports.Subject vehicles not equipped the Comfort Access option will automatically shift to Park once the key fob is removed from the key slot.In this regard these vehicles behave similarly to those with traditional mechanical keys where the key cannot be removed from the ignition unless the vehicle is shifted to Park.The difference between these vehicles and the subject vehicles with the Comfort Access option is that in the Comfort Access equipped vehicles, the engine can be started and stopped without the key fob in the key slot.ODI reports 10429922 and 10419177 noted in the EA opening resume were determined to be vehicles not equipped with the Comfort Access option and ODI did not identify a vehicle based safety defect associated with these incidents.This investigation is closed.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10185770
Additional source detail variants (4)
Electrical System
In a letter dated October 16, 2012, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR), NHTSA Recall No. 12V-502 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving the possibility of unattended vehicle rollaway in MY 2005 through 2008 BMW 7-Series (approximately 45,000) vehicles equipped with the Comfort Access Option.The Comfort Access option allows the driver to start and stop the engine (by pressing the engine start / stop button) without inserting the key fob into the vehicles key slot in the instrument panel.Subject vehicles not equipped with the Comfort Access option require the key fob be inserted the key slot to start the engine.Upon removal of the key from the key slot the vehicle will automatically shift to Park if the driver has not done so using the gearshift lever.Sunject vehicles equipped with the Comfort Access option are designed such that when the vehicle is stopped with the service brakes applied and the transmission in Drive or Reverse, the driver can push the engine start/stop button one time, stopping the engine and automatically shifting the transmission to Park.In its DIR, BMW identified a condition such that if the driver depressed the start-stop button multiple times in rapid succession, the transmission could shift to Neutral instead of Park.With the transmission in neutral, depending on the slope of the road, the vehicle could rollaway if unattended.In review of data submitted to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) and of reports submitted to BMW, ODI identified 20 reports alleging vehicle rollaway involving vehicles equipped with Comfort Access.The vehicles identified in these reports are all subject to recall 12V-502.Ten of these reports were identified as likely related to the defect described in recall 12V-502.Two of the reports are likely related to other mechanical failures.The remaining 8 allegations of vehicle rollaway could not be associated with a specific cause.There are 32 reports alleging vehicle rollaway in the subject vehicles not equipped with the Comfort Access option.A vehicle based safety defect trend was not identified in these reports.Subject vehicles not equipped the Comfort Access option will automatically shift to Park once the key fob is removed from the key slot.In this regard these vehicles behave similarly to those with traditional mechanical keys where the key cannot be removed from the ignition unless the vehicle is shifted to Park.The difference between these vehicles and the subject vehicles with the Comfort Access option is that in the Comfort Access equipped vehicles, the engine can be started and stopped without the key fob in the key slot.ODI reports 10429922 and 10419177 noted in the EA opening resume were determined to be vehicles not equipped with the Comfort Access option and ODI did not identify a vehicle based safety defect associated with these incidents.This investigation is closed.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10185770
Electrical System:ignition
In a letter dated October 16, 2012, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR), NHTSA Recall No. 12V-502 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving the possibility of unattended vehicle rollaway in MY 2005 through 2008 BMW 7-Series (approximately 45,000) vehicles equipped with the Comfort Access Option.The Comfort Access option allows the driver to start and stop the engine (by pressing the engine start / stop button) without inserting the key fob into the vehicles key slot in the instrument panel.Subject vehicles not equipped with the Comfort Access option require the key fob be inserted the key slot to start the engine.Upon removal of the key from the key slot the vehicle will automatically shift to Park if the driver has not done so using the gearshift lever.Sunject vehicles equipped with the Comfort Access option are designed such that when the vehicle is stopped with the service brakes applied and the transmission in Drive or Reverse, the driver can push the engine start/stop button one time, stopping the engine and automatically shifting the transmission to Park.In its DIR, BMW identified a condition such that if the driver depressed the start-stop button multiple times in rapid succession, the transmission could shift to Neutral instead of Park.With the transmission in neutral, depending on the slope of the road, the vehicle could rollaway if unattended.In review of data submitted to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) and of reports submitted to BMW, ODI identified 20 reports alleging vehicle rollaway involving vehicles equipped with Comfort Access.The vehicles identified in these reports are all subject to recall 12V-502.Ten of these reports were identified as likely related to the defect described in recall 12V-502.Two of the reports are likely related to other mechanical failures.The remaining 8 allegations of vehicle rollaway could not be associated with a specific cause.There are 32 reports alleging vehicle rollaway in the subject vehicles not equipped with the Comfort Access option.A vehicle based safety defect trend was not identified in these reports.Subject vehicles not equipped the Comfort Access option will automatically shift to Park once the key fob is removed from the key slot.In this regard these vehicles behave similarly to those with traditional mechanical keys where the key cannot be removed from the ignition unless the vehicle is shifted to Park.The difference between these vehicles and the subject vehicles with the Comfort Access option is that in the Comfort Access equipped vehicles, the engine can be started and stopped without the key fob in the key slot.ODI reports 10429922 and 10419177 noted in the EA opening resume were determined to be vehicles not equipped with the Comfort Access option and ODI did not identify a vehicle based safety defect associated with these incidents.This investigation is closed.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10185770
Electrical System:ignition:switch
In a letter dated October 16, 2012, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR), NHTSA Recall No. 12V-502 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving the possibility of unattended vehicle rollaway in MY 2005 through 2008 BMW 7-Series (approximately 45,000) vehicles equipped with the Comfort Access Option.The Comfort Access option allows the driver to start and stop the engine (by pressing the engine start / stop button) without inserting the key fob into the vehicles key slot in the instrument panel.Subject vehicles not equipped with the Comfort Access option require the key fob be inserted the key slot to start the engine.Upon removal of the key from the key slot the vehicle will automatically shift to Park if the driver has not done so using the gearshift lever.Sunject vehicles equipped with the Comfort Access option are designed such that when the vehicle is stopped with the service brakes applied and the transmission in Drive or Reverse, the driver can push the engine start/stop button one time, stopping the engine and automatically shifting the transmission to Park.In its DIR, BMW identified a condition such that if the driver depressed the start-stop button multiple times in rapid succession, the transmission could shift to Neutral instead of Park.With the transmission in neutral, depending on the slope of the road, the vehicle could rollaway if unattended.In review of data submitted to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) and of reports submitted to BMW, ODI identified 20 reports alleging vehicle rollaway involving vehicles equipped with Comfort Access.The vehicles identified in these reports are all subject to recall 12V-502.Ten of these reports were identified as likely related to the defect described in recall 12V-502.Two of the reports are likely related to other mechanical failures.The remaining 8 allegations of vehicle rollaway could not be associated with a specific cause.There are 32 reports alleging vehicle rollaway in the subject vehicles not equipped with the Comfort Access option.A vehicle based safety defect trend was not identified in these reports.Subject vehicles not equipped the Comfort Access option will automatically shift to Park once the key fob is removed from the key slot.In this regard these vehicles behave similarly to those with traditional mechanical keys where the key cannot be removed from the ignition unless the vehicle is shifted to Park.The difference between these vehicles and the subject vehicles with the Comfort Access option is that in the Comfort Access equipped vehicles, the engine can be started and stopped without the key fob in the key slot.ODI reports 10429922 and 10419177 noted in the EA opening resume were determined to be vehicles not equipped with the Comfort Access option and ODI did not identify a vehicle based safety defect associated with these incidents.This investigation is closed.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10185770
Power Train:automatic Transmission
In a letter dated October 16, 2012, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR), NHTSA Recall No. 12V-502 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving the possibility of unattended vehicle rollaway in MY 2005 through 2008 BMW 7-Series (approximately 45,000) vehicles equipped with the Comfort Access Option.The Comfort Access option allows the driver to start and stop the engine (by pressing the engine start / stop button) without inserting the key fob into the vehicles key slot in the instrument panel.Subject vehicles not equipped with the Comfort Access option require the key fob be inserted the key slot to start the engine.Upon removal of the key from the key slot the vehicle will automatically shift to Park if the driver has not done so using the gearshift lever.Sunject vehicles equipped with the Comfort Access option are designed such that when the vehicle is stopped with the service brakes applied and the transmission in Drive or Reverse, the driver can push the engine start/stop button one time, stopping the engine and automatically shifting the transmission to Park.In its DIR, BMW identified a condition such that if the driver depressed the start-stop button multiple times in rapid succession, the transmission could shift to Neutral instead of Park.With the transmission in neutral, depending on the slope of the road, the vehicle could rollaway if unattended.In review of data submitted to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) and of reports submitted to BMW, ODI identified 20 reports alleging vehicle rollaway involving vehicles equipped with Comfort Access.The vehicles identified in these reports are all subject to recall 12V-502.Ten of these reports were identified as likely related to the defect described in recall 12V-502.Two of the reports are likely related to other mechanical failures.The remaining 8 allegations of vehicle rollaway could not be associated with a specific cause.There are 32 reports alleging vehicle rollaway in the subject vehicles not equipped with the Comfort Access option.A vehicle based safety defect trend was not identified in these reports.Subject vehicles not equipped the Comfort Access option will automatically shift to Park once the key fob is removed from the key slot.In this regard these vehicles behave similarly to those with traditional mechanical keys where the key cannot be removed from the ignition unless the vehicle is shifted to Park.The difference between these vehicles and the subject vehicles with the Comfort Access option is that in the Comfort Access equipped vehicles, the engine can be started and stopped without the key fob in the key slot.ODI reports 10429922 and 10419177 noted in the EA opening resume were determined to be vehicles not equipped with the Comfort Access option and ODI did not identify a vehicle based safety defect associated with these incidents.This investigation is closed.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) numbers:10185770
PE11025 · Vehicle Rollaway
Opened Aug 5, 2011 · Closed Apr 23, 2012
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Power Train:automatic Transmission
In response to the Office of Defects Investigation's (ODI) Information Request (IR) for PE11-025, BMW provided ODI with 1 complaint and 46 field reports relating to either incidents of unattended vehicle rollaway or vehicle movement after the driver expected the vehicle gearshift to automatically shift to park. ODI's analysis of the data provided by BMW identified 14 crashes and 5 alleged injuries. ODI has also identified 3 additional reports in its database alleging vehicle rollaway incidents of which 2 resulted in crashes.The subject vehicles are all equipped with push-buttons (Start/Stop button) to control starting/stopping the engine and Shift-by-Wire gearshift systems controlled by a column mounted selector lever behind the steering wheel. The Start/Stop button also controls switching the ignition and the radio ready state On and Off. Shift-by-wire systems replace the traditional mechanical connection (e.g., cable or linkage) between the gearshift and automatic transmission with an electronic connection controlled by a computer module. When parking the vehicle, the driver has the capability to manually shift the vehicle to park by pressing the Park button on the end of the electronic gearshift lever. However, the instructions for engine shutoff provided in the owner's manual state that pressing the Start/Stop button serves the dual function of switching off the engine and automatically shifting the transmission to Park.In response to ODI's information request for PE11-025, BMW described several circumstances where the subject vehicles may shift to neutral when the driver may expect it to automatically shift to park. First, for Comfort Access System (CAS) vehicles, if the transmission is in neutral when the key fob is in the ignition slot and the Start/Stop button is pressed to shut-off the engine, the transmission will remain in neutral. This is referred to as the Carwash mode and is a normal operating feature of the vehicles that is described in the owner's manual. BMW also described two circumstances that are not normal operating features and are not described in the owners' manual: (1) with the transmission in drive or reverse and the engine running, if the Start/Stop button is pushed 2 or 3 times within a 0.3 second to 0.5 second interval, the engine will stop and the transmission will shift to Neutral; and 2) if the Park button on the gearshift lever is pressed at the same time that the gearshift lever is actuated (i.e., toggled up or down) to select drive, reverse or neutral; the transmission will shift to neutral or remain in neutral.Beginning in model year (MY) 2005, BMW introduced CAS as an optional feature package for the subject vehicles.The key for CAS equipped vehicles is an electronic code that is sent to the engine control module by a remote transmitter (key fob). An optional docking port (key slot) is provided for driver convenience or to put the vehicle into Car Wash mode, which allows for engine shutoff in neutral. BMW sold approximately 45,000 subject vehicles with CAS and approximately 94 percent of the CAS equipped vehicles were produced from MY 2006 through 2008. Non-CAS subject vehicles were produced from MY 2002 through 2008 and require the remote control to be in the ignition slot located next to the Start/Stop button to start the engine.The 50 incidents identified by ODI's analysis of complaints and field reports include 18 involving CAS vehicles (39.6 incidents per 100,000 vehicles) and 32 involving non-CAS vehicles (42.0 incidents per 100,000 vehicles). Because the incidents are considered random events, the failure rates were also adjusted for vehicle exposure, resulting in rat
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System
In response to the Office of Defects Investigation's (ODI) Information Request (IR) for PE11-025, BMW provided ODI with 1 complaint and 46 field reports relating to either incidents of unattended vehicle rollaway or vehicle movement after the driver expected the vehicle gearshift to automatically shift to park. ODI's analysis of the data provided by BMW identified 14 crashes and 5 alleged injuries. ODI has also identified 3 additional reports in its database alleging vehicle rollaway incidents of which 2 resulted in crashes.The subject vehicles are all equipped with push-buttons (Start/Stop button) to control starting/stopping the engine and Shift-by-Wire gearshift systems controlled by a column mounted selector lever behind the steering wheel. The Start/Stop button also controls switching the ignition and the radio ready state On and Off. Shift-by-wire systems replace the traditional mechanical connection (e.g., cable or linkage) between the gearshift and automatic transmission with an electronic connection controlled by a computer module. When parking the vehicle, the driver has the capability to manually shift the vehicle to park by pressing the Park button on the end of the electronic gearshift lever. However, the instructions for engine shutoff provided in the owner's manual state that pressing the Start/Stop button serves the dual function of switching off the engine and automatically shifting the transmission to Park.In response to ODI's information request for PE11-025, BMW described several circumstances where the subject vehicles may shift to neutral when the driver may expect it to automatically shift to park. First, for Comfort Access System (CAS) vehicles, if the transmission is in neutral when the key fob is in the ignition slot and the Start/Stop button is pressed to shut-off the engine, the transmission will remain in neutral. This is referred to as the Carwash mode and is a normal operating feature of the vehicles that is described in the owner's manual. BMW also described two circumstances that are not normal operating features and are not described in the owners' manual: (1) with the transmission in drive or reverse and the engine running, if the Start/Stop button is pushed 2 or 3 times within a 0.3 second to 0.5 second interval, the engine will stop and the transmission will shift to Neutral; and 2) if the Park button on the gearshift lever is pressed at the same time that the gearshift lever is actuated (i.e., toggled up or down) to select drive, reverse or neutral; the transmission will shift to neutral or remain in neutral.Beginning in model year (MY) 2005, BMW introduced CAS as an optional feature package for the subject vehicles.The key for CAS equipped vehicles is an electronic code that is sent to the engine control module by a remote transmitter (key fob). An optional docking port (key slot) is provided for driver convenience or to put the vehicle into Car Wash mode, which allows for engine shutoff in neutral. BMW sold approximately 45,000 subject vehicles with CAS and approximately 94 percent of the CAS equipped vehicles were produced from MY 2006 through 2008. Non-CAS subject vehicles were produced from MY 2002 through 2008 and require the remote control to be in the ignition slot located next to the Start/Stop button to start the engine.The 50 incidents identified by ODI's analysis of complaints and field reports include 18 involving CAS vehicles (39.6 incidents per 100,000 vehicles) and 32 involving non-CAS vehicles (42.0 incidents per 100,000 vehicles). Because the incidents are considered random events, the failure rates were also adjusted for vehicle exposure, resulting in rat
Power Train:automatic Transmission
In response to the Office of Defects Investigation's (ODI) Information Request (IR) for PE11-025, BMW provided ODI with 1 complaint and 46 field reports relating to either incidents of unattended vehicle rollaway or vehicle movement after the driver expected the vehicle gearshift to automatically shift to park. ODI's analysis of the data provided by BMW identified 14 crashes and 5 alleged injuries. ODI has also identified 3 additional reports in its database alleging vehicle rollaway incidents of which 2 resulted in crashes.The subject vehicles are all equipped with push-buttons (Start/Stop button) to control starting/stopping the engine and Shift-by-Wire gearshift systems controlled by a column mounted selector lever behind the steering wheel. The Start/Stop button also controls switching the ignition and the radio ready state On and Off. Shift-by-wire systems replace the traditional mechanical connection (e.g., cable or linkage) between the gearshift and automatic transmission with an electronic connection controlled by a computer module. When parking the vehicle, the driver has the capability to manually shift the vehicle to park by pressing the Park button on the end of the electronic gearshift lever. However, the instructions for engine shutoff provided in the owner's manual state that pressing the Start/Stop button serves the dual function of switching off the engine and automatically shifting the transmission to Park.In response to ODI's information request for PE11-025, BMW described several circumstances where the subject vehicles may shift to neutral when the driver may expect it to automatically shift to park. First, for Comfort Access System (CAS) vehicles, if the transmission is in neutral when the key fob is in the ignition slot and the Start/Stop button is pressed to shut-off the engine, the transmission will remain in neutral. This is referred to as the Carwash mode and is a normal operating feature of the vehicles that is described in the owner's manual. BMW also described two circumstances that are not normal operating features and are not described in the owners' manual: (1) with the transmission in drive or reverse and the engine running, if the Start/Stop button is pushed 2 or 3 times within a 0.3 second to 0.5 second interval, the engine will stop and the transmission will shift to Neutral; and 2) if the Park button on the gearshift lever is pressed at the same time that the gearshift lever is actuated (i.e., toggled up or down) to select drive, reverse or neutral; the transmission will shift to neutral or remain in neutral.Beginning in model year (MY) 2005, BMW introduced CAS as an optional feature package for the subject vehicles.The key for CAS equipped vehicles is an electronic code that is sent to the engine control module by a remote transmitter (key fob). An optional docking port (key slot) is provided for driver convenience or to put the vehicle into Car Wash mode, which allows for engine shutoff in neutral. BMW sold approximately 45,000 subject vehicles with CAS and approximately 94 percent of the CAS equipped vehicles were produced from MY 2006 through 2008. Non-CAS subject vehicles were produced from MY 2002 through 2008 and require the remote control to be in the ignition slot located next to the Start/Stop button to start the engine.The 50 incidents identified by ODI's analysis of complaints and field reports include 18 involving CAS vehicles (39.6 incidents per 100,000 vehicles) and 32 involving non-CAS vehicles (42.0 incidents per 100,000 vehicles). Because the incidents are considered random events, the failure rates were also adjusted for vehicle exposure, resulting in rat
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