NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
24 reports136,000 miles · Jan 27, 2014
Engine
I HAVE A 2004 BMW 745I, I NOTICED A LOT OF SMOKE COMING FROM TAIL PIPE WHEN THE CAR IS IDLING/DRIVING. I TOOK IT IN FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AT A REPLICABLE REPAIR SHOP, AND I WAS TOLD THE VALVE GUIDE SEAL'S WHERE WORN AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE VALVE GUIDE SEALS BECOMES HARD OVER TIME AND DOESN'T PROVIDE A PROPER S…
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I HAVE A 2004 BMW 745I, I NOTICED A LOT OF SMOKE COMING FROM TAIL PIPE WHEN THE CAR IS IDLING/DRIVING. I TOOK IT IN FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AT A REPLICABLE REPAIR SHOP, AND I WAS TOLD THE VALVE GUIDE SEAL'S WHERE WORN AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE VALVE GUIDE SEALS BECOMES HARD OVER TIME AND DOESN'T PROVIDE A PROPER SEAL FOR THE VALVE STEM'S. THIS ALLOWS OIL TO PASS THROUGH THE VALVE STEM SEALS AND ENTER THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER AND THE EXHAUST.( NOT ONLY DOES THIS CAUSE POLLUTION) IT DAMAGES THE CAT CONVERTER THEREFORE YOU CAN NOT PASS A SMOG TEST. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE BY BMW, BMW REPAIR SHOPS, AND CERTIFIED MECHANIC ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. I CONTACTED BMW CORPORATE OFFICE REGARDING THE PROBLEM, I WAS THEN CONTACTED BACK BY [XXX] WITH BMW EXECUTIVE CUSTOMER CARE. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO TAKE MY CAR TO BMW OF ONTARIO TO GET A DIAGNOSTIC, BECAUSE THEY DON'T EXCEPT THIRD PARTY OPINIONS. BMW OF ONTARIO CONTACT ME TO TELL ME IT WILL BE $6,500.00 BECAUSE THEY NEED TO REMOVE THE ENGINE AND TEAR IT DOWN FOR INSPECTION. I WAS LATER CONTACT BY [XXX], WHO TOLD ME THAT HER FIELD MANAGER DENIED ANY FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC OR REPAIRS ON MY CAR. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS VERY INEVITABLE ISSUE THAT HAPPENS TO 5,6,7 AND X SERIES BMW MODELS THAT ARE ON THE ROAD CAUSING NASTY POLLUTION. SEE LINK'S BELOW FOR EXAMPLE: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=DVO85LMZMFM HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=S-UZ__R1AOK HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=VZEZRAOIHKY INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10561726
130,000 miles · Jan 21, 2014
Service BrakesService Brakes, Hydraulic
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A PRIVATE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THERE WAS OIL LEAKING FROM THE VACUUM PUMP. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PREVIOUSLY UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A PRIVATE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THERE WAS OIL LEAKING FROM THE VACUUM PUMP. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PREVIOUSLY UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT REPLACING THE HOSE WAS ONLY A TEMPORARY REPAIR THAT CAUSED FUTURE PROBLEMS TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10560829
84,230 miles · Jan 21, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineEngine And Engine Cooling
MY VEHICLE IS DISPLAYING THE EXACT SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED IN YOUR PREVIOUS RECALLS (04V344000 AND 03V240000). THE CAR STALLS AND WON'T RESTART, CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS GO CRAZY, TRANSMISSION FAILSAFE AND STABILITY CONTROL WARNINGS COME ON, VALVETRONIC DESYNCHRONIZATION, ECT. WENT TO A BMW DEALER AND THEY DENIED EITHER OF THESE RECALLS E…
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MY VEHICLE IS DISPLAYING THE EXACT SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED IN YOUR PREVIOUS RECALLS (04V344000 AND 03V240000). THE CAR STALLS AND WON'T RESTART, CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS GO CRAZY, TRANSMISSION FAILSAFE AND STABILITY CONTROL WARNINGS COME ON, VALVETRONIC DESYNCHRONIZATION, ECT. WENT TO A BMW DEALER AND THEY DENIED EITHER OF THESE RECALLS EXISTED. CALLED BMW CORPORATE AND THEY SAID MY CAR IS NOT AFFECTED BY THE RECALLS, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY NOT TRUE CONSIDERING THE PROBLEMS IT HAS AND THE UNCANNY RESEMBLANCE TO YOUR RECALL DESCRIPTIONS. BMW HAS OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE, CAN YOU? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10560824
30,000 miles · Nov 13, 2012
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD BECOME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS AND RESULTED IN AN ABNORMALLY SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN BRAKING DISTANCE AND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD BECOME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS AND RESULTED IN AN ABNORMALLY SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN BRAKING DISTANCE AND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE BRAKE VACUUM PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THREE TIMES FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10484562
79,550 miles · Aug 27, 2012
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND EVERYTHING WENT HAYWIRE AND ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE ENGINE FELT LIKE IT SHUT OFF. AFTER I PULLED OVER I SHUT IT OFF AND TRIED TURNING IT BACK ON BUT IT WOULDN'T START. I SAT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR 25 MIN AND TRIED IT AGAIN AND IT FINALLY TURNED BACK ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10472584
Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2012
Service Brakes
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2004 BMW 745I. I RECEIVED A LETTER IN NOVEMBER 2010 FROM BMW STATING THAT THERE WAS RECALL ON BRAKE VACUUM PUMP. ON NOVEMBER 11 2010 BEFORE RECEIVING THIS RECALL LETTER. I HAD REPAIRS DONE TO MY BRAKE VACUUM PUMP. WHEN I CALLED BMW TO GET MY MONEY REFUNDED THEY BASICALLY TOLD ME "IT WAS DIFFERENT." I WAS CHAR…
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I AM THE OWNER OF A 2004 BMW 745I. I RECEIVED A LETTER IN NOVEMBER 2010 FROM BMW STATING THAT THERE WAS RECALL ON BRAKE VACUUM PUMP. ON NOVEMBER 11 2010 BEFORE RECEIVING THIS RECALL LETTER. I HAD REPAIRS DONE TO MY BRAKE VACUUM PUMP. WHEN I CALLED BMW TO GET MY MONEY REFUNDED THEY BASICALLY TOLD ME "IT WAS DIFFERENT." I WAS CHARGED OVER 6,000 DOLLARS FOR THIS SERVICE. I HAVE SPOKEN TO SEVERAL PEOPLE AND WAS GIVEN DIFFERENT NUMBERS TO TRY TO GET MY MONEY BACK AND HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. I ALSO NOTICED ON A FEBRUARY 2011 ST. PETE TIMES ISSUE BMW WAS FINED $3MILLION DOLLARS FOR DELAYING RECALLS. I HAVE ALL DOCUMENTATIONS TO SUPPORT MY ARGUMENT TO INCLUDE THE ARTICLE OF THE ST. PETE TIMES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10472469
52,000 miles · Aug 18, 2012
Electrical System
ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LOST POWER AND WENT BLACK. NO SPEEDOMETER, NO TACHOMETER. NO WARNING LIGHTS WORKING. NOTHING IS WORKING THROUGH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. COULD NOT TELL HOW FAST I WAS TRAVELING, OR IF TURN SIGNALS WERE WORKING, SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10471383
129,000 miles · Jul 6, 2012
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS DRIVING WHEN THE DYNAMIC DRIVE INACTIVE SYMBOL ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THIS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER AND TRIED TO RESTART THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS DRIVING WHEN THE DYNAMIC DRIVE INACTIVE SYMBOL ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THIS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER AND TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE GEAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.
NHTSA ODI #10464455
Mileage unknown · May 4, 2012
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE PARK SENSOR AND TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AS THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 745I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE PARK SENSOR AND TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AS THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10457469
Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2012
Electrical SystemPower TrainCrash
2004 BMW 745I. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE RAN THROUGH THE GARAGE DOOR *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY RUNNING FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE WENT INTO REVERSE ON ITS OWN AND CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED,…
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2004 BMW 745I. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE RAN THROUGH THE GARAGE DOOR *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY RUNNING FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE WENT INTO REVERSE ON ITS OWN AND CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED, AND NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED INVESTIGATION NUMBER PE11025. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10457270
NHTSA investigations
1EA12002 · 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
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