NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
32 reportsMileage unknown · Apr 16, 2008
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
FACSIMILE FROM SENATOR ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT, REGARDING BRAKE FAILURE OF HIS 2003 BMW 745I. CONSTITUENT IS ASKING FOR REVIEW/INVESTIGATION OF BMW OF SAN FRANCISCO AND THE BMW 7 SERIES AUTOMOBILES. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. THE CONSUMER STATED A MESSAGE FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD WHICH SAI…
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FACSIMILE FROM SENATOR ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT, REGARDING BRAKE FAILURE OF HIS 2003 BMW 745I. CONSTITUENT IS ASKING FOR REVIEW/INVESTIGATION OF BMW OF SAN FRANCISCO AND THE BMW 7 SERIES AUTOMOBILES. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. THE CONSUMER STATED A MESSAGE FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD WHICH SAID WARNING-BRAKE-FLUID- PLEASE STOP SAFELY. SHORTLY AFTER THAT READING, ANOTHER MESSAGE FLASHED BRAKE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE PREVIOUS DEALER NEGLECTED TO TIGHTEN THE CALIPER BLEEDER SCREW. THIS ALLOWED ALL OF THE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK OUT. THE CONSUMER STRUCK A STATIONARY OBJECT AS A RESULT OF THE DEALERS NEGLIGENCE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10225129
Mileage unknown · Mar 18, 2008
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
2003 BMW 745I WITH BRAKE FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES THAT TWO WARNING LIGHTS FLASHED AND THEY WERE "WARNING-BRAKE FLUID-PLEASE", AND "BRAKE FAILURE". HE STATES THAT THE DEALER TIGHTENED THE CALIPER BLEEDER SCREW. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE PREVIOUS DEALER WHO WORKED ON HIS VEHICLE NEGLECTED TO TIGHTEN THE CALIPER BLEEDER SCREW F…
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2003 BMW 745I WITH BRAKE FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES THAT TWO WARNING LIGHTS FLASHED AND THEY WERE "WARNING-BRAKE FLUID-PLEASE", AND "BRAKE FAILURE". HE STATES THAT THE DEALER TIGHTENED THE CALIPER BLEEDER SCREW. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE PREVIOUS DEALER WHO WORKED ON HIS VEHICLE NEGLECTED TO TIGHTEN THE CALIPER BLEEDER SCREW FOR THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS BRAKE FLUID. THE CONSUMER HIT A CURB IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS SOME DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10221698
Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2007
Wheels
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A SET OF FOUR 22" SEVAS S-10 WHEELS FOR MY 2003 BMW 745I. I LIVE IN HAWAII AND ORDERED MY WHEELS FROM DNJ WHEELS IN CALIFORNIA. DNJ SHIPPED MY WHEELS AND TIRES TO ME MOUNTED AND BALANCED, SO WHEN I RECEIVED THEM I TOOK THE SET TO MY LOCAL TIRE STORE (LEX BRODIE) AND HAD THEM INSTALLED. AS SOON AS I LEFT T…
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I RECENTLY PURCHASED A SET OF FOUR 22" SEVAS S-10 WHEELS FOR MY 2003 BMW 745I. I LIVE IN HAWAII AND ORDERED MY WHEELS FROM DNJ WHEELS IN CALIFORNIA. DNJ SHIPPED MY WHEELS AND TIRES TO ME MOUNTED AND BALANCED, SO WHEN I RECEIVED THEM I TOOK THE SET TO MY LOCAL TIRE STORE (LEX BRODIE) AND HAD THEM INSTALLED. AS SOON AS I LEFT THE LEX BRODIE TIRE STORE I NOTICED A SHAKING IN THE CAR. I FELT IT IN THE STEERING WHEEL AS WELL AS THE SEAT I WAS IN. I TOOK THE CAR BACK AND ASKED THE MAN THAT INSTALLED THE WHEELS TO CHECK THE LUG NUTS AND MAKE SURE THEY WERE ALL TORQUED TO SPEC. HE VERIFIED THAT THEY WERE, AND I REPORTED THE PROBLEM I WAS HAVING. HE SAID THAT IT MIGHT BE A PROBLEM WITH THE BALANCING AND OR THE ALIGNMENT. SO I HAD ALL FOUR WHEELS RE-BALANCED AND HAD A FOUR WHEEL COMPUTER ALIGNMENT DONE AS WELL. AFTER ALL THIS WAS COMPLETE I LEFT THE LEX BRODIE ONLY TO FIND THE PROBLEM WITH MY NEW WHEELS REMAIN. THIS IS WHEN I JOINED THE BMW FORUM (BIMMERFEST.COM) AND NOTICED THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL OTHERS WHO WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE SEVAS WHEELS. THERE ARE ALSO SEVERAL PEOPLE WHOSE WHEELS HAVE ACTUALLY SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING! ALL PEOPLE WHOSE WHEELS HAVE SEPARATED REPORTED THAT THEIR CAR WAS SHAKING, AS MINE IS NOW, BEFORE THEIR ACCIDENT. THIS WORRIES ME TO SAY THE LEAST. I USE MY CAR DAILY TO GET TO AND FROM WORK MOST OF THE TIME TRAVELING ON BUSY HIGHWAYS. I DO NOT WANT TO SEE MYSELF, MY PASSENGERS, OR MY FELLOW DRIVERS GET INVOLVED IN A POTENTIALLY FATAL CRASH BECAUSE OF AN ISSUE WITH A WHEEL THAT DOES NOT MEET PROPER SAFETY STANDARDS. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT IN CONJUNCTION WITH SEVERAL OF MY FELLOW BMW 7-SERIES FORUM MEMBERS WHO HAVE ALSO PURCHASED THE SEVAS S-10 WHEEL. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION AND WOULD LIKE TO HELP IN ANY WAY THAT I CAN. VERY RESPECTFULLY. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10206165
8,900 miles · Apr 16, 2005
Power TrainCrash
I AM THE FIRST AND ONLY OWNER OF A 2003 BMW 745I. AT FOUR HUNDRED MILES THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED DUE PROBLEMS SHIFTING ETC. AT ROUGHLY 7500 MILES THE CAR WHILE SITTING AT A STOPLIGHT LAUNCHED ITSELF INTO THE REAR END OF A SUV CAUSING VEHICLE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF MY CAR. MY FOOT WAS FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE YET IT STILL …
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I AM THE FIRST AND ONLY OWNER OF A 2003 BMW 745I. AT FOUR HUNDRED MILES THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED DUE PROBLEMS SHIFTING ETC. AT ROUGHLY 7500 MILES THE CAR WHILE SITTING AT A STOPLIGHT LAUNCHED ITSELF INTO THE REAR END OF A SUV CAUSING VEHICLE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF MY CAR. MY FOOT WAS FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE YET IT STILL MOVED. THREE WEKS AGO WHILE COASTING DOWN A STEEP FREEWAY DECLINE, THE ENGINE REVVED TO 5000 RPM- MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN GEAR. BMW HAS HAD THE CAR FOR THEE WEEKS AND CAN FIND NO PROBLEMS AND WISHES TO RETURN IT TO ME. I HAVE LOST ALL CONFIDENCE IN THE VEHICLE AS IT IS A DANGER TO ME, MY FAMILY AND THE PUBLIC AT LARGE. I AM NOT SURE OF THE EXACT DATES AS I DO NOT HAVE MY PAPER WORK WITH ME, BUT CAN PROVIDE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10117966
22,000 miles · Mar 7, 2005
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
WHILE WAITING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE CONSUMER HAD BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SURGE FORWARD RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DAMAGING 5 OTHER VEHICLES IN THE PROCESS. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10113599
5,300 miles · Jan 6, 2005
Power TrainCrash
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IT SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO MOVE AND HIT A WALL. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10106930
10,844 miles · Dec 7, 2004
Seats
THE SEAT HEATER STARTED TO SMOKE, BURNING A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10103231
4,400 miles · May 11, 2004
Power Train
NEW BMW 745I WAS PURCHASED ON OCTOBER 29, 2003. SINCE JANUARY 2004, VEHICLE HAS ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS EXHIBITED TRANSMISSION FAILURE. ON EACH OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT VERY HARD SHIFTING, FOLLOWED BY VIOLENT JERKING, HALTING AND DOWNSHIFTING WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEED ON THE STREET OR HIGHWAY, THROWING THE PASSEN…
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NEW BMW 745I WAS PURCHASED ON OCTOBER 29, 2003. SINCE JANUARY 2004, VEHICLE HAS ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS EXHIBITED TRANSMISSION FAILURE. ON EACH OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT VERY HARD SHIFTING, FOLLOWED BY VIOLENT JERKING, HALTING AND DOWNSHIFTING WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEED ON THE STREET OR HIGHWAY, THROWING THE PASSENGERS FORWARD VIOLENTLY. MULTIPLE TRANSMISSION WARNING SOUNDS AND MESSAGES ARE DISPLAYED. LOUD METALLIC GRINDING AND RATTLING NOISES COME FROM THE TRANSMISSION AREA. THE CAR THROWS ITSELF INTO PARK AS THE CAR SLOWS TO MAKE A STOP. MOST RECENTLY, THE CAR THREW ITSELF INTO PARK AT 15 MPH ALMOST CAUSING A REAR END COLLISION WITH THE VEHICLE FOLLOWING BEHIND. EVENTUALLY, THE CAR PUTS ITSELF INTO PARK AND CANNOT BE MOVED. EACH TIME THE CAR HAS HAD TO HAVE BEEN TOWED AWAY. TWICE THE CAR HAS STOPPED IN AN INTERSECTION AND COULD NOT BE MOVED. ON EACH OCCASION, THE DEALER HAS DENIED THERE WAS A PROBLEM, ONLY TO CLAIM UPON MY INSISTENCE THAT THEY LOOK AGAIN THAT THE PROBLEM IS A SOFTWARE OR COMPUTER PROBLEM. ON THE LAST OCCASION, THE DEALER ADMITTED THAT THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI #10072452
Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2004
EquipmentSteeringStructure
STEERING MECHANISM ON THE VEHICLE WOULD LOCK UP AT THE END OF THE STEERING ROTATION. (NAR) *PH NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM, RADIO, BUMPER AND WINDOWS WERE DEFECTIVE. *CB
NHTSA ODI #10065254
1,000 miles · Mar 9, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
CAR ROLLS BACKWARD ALTHOUGH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND ENGAGED IN FORWARD DRIVE GEAR. THIS HAS CAUSED NUMEROUS CLOSE CALLS BY MY CAR ROLLING BACKWARDS INTO THE ONE BEHIND ME. CARS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS DO NOT ROLL BACKWARD.
NHTSA ODI #10060878
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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