NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
36 reports104,600 miles · May 7, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 745 LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR DISPLAYED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS ONE QUARTER TANK FULL HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO GASOLINE IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, LEAVING THE CONTACT STRANDED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V150…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 745 LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR DISPLAYED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS ONE QUARTER TANK FULL HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO GASOLINE IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, LEAVING THE CONTACT STRANDED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V150000 (FUEL SYSTEM GASOLINE DELIVERY).THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,600.
NHTSA ODI #10587023
80,000 miles · Feb 29, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ON FEBRUARY 25, 2011 MY BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. I FELT A DIFFERENCE IN THE PERFORMANCE WHEN THAT HAPPENED AND DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO THE BMW DEALER THE FOLLOWING BUSINESS DAY TO ADDRESS THAT AND SOME OTHER PROBLEMS I WAS HAVING. ONE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT THE SERVICE TECH FOUND WAS THE VACUUM PUMP IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM. SAID THAT THE…
Read full complaint
ON FEBRUARY 25, 2011 MY BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. I FELT A DIFFERENCE IN THE PERFORMANCE WHEN THAT HAPPENED AND DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO THE BMW DEALER THE FOLLOWING BUSINESS DAY TO ADDRESS THAT AND SOME OTHER PROBLEMS I WAS HAVING. ONE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT THE SERVICE TECH FOUND WAS THE VACUUM PUMP IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM. SAID THAT THE VACUUM PUMP WAS LEAKING OIL. NORMALLY I RESEARCH RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE, BUT BECAUSE I HAVE ONLY HAD IT A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, I DIDN'T DO IT UNTIL TODAY. WHILE SEARCHING BMWUSA SITE FOR RECALLS, I DISCOVERED THAT ON MARCH, 2011 BMW ISSUED A LETTER TO OWNERS REFERENCING RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 10V-446: BRAKE VACUUM PUMP. IT STATED THAT CERTAIN 2002-2010 5, 6, 7 & APLINE B7 MODELS WERE APART OF THIS RECALL. BECAUSE IT SEEMED LIKE MY CAR WAS HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM AND IT WAS A 2002 7 SERIES, I DECIDED TO CONTACT BMWUSA. THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO ACTUAL RECALL OUT THERE AND THAT THEY WOULD LOOK INTO THE MATTER FURTHER AND GIVE ME A CALL BACK. I FIND IT REALLY OUTRAGEOUS THAT MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM THAT BMW ITSELF WAS AWARE OF BACK IN MARCH, 2011 AND IS BEING TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT AN ACTUAL RECALL ACCORDING TO BMWUSA. ESPECIALLY WHEN BMW STATED IN THEIR MEMO THAT THIS COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN A CRASH. I VALUE MY LIFE AND EVERYONE AROUND IT AND I FEEL THAT IF I CALL YOUR COMPANY WITH SUCH AN ISSUE THAT YOU HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED YOURSELF, THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL! THEY MENTIONED SOMETHING TO THE FACT THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO COMPLAINTS OF THIS ISSUE. IF YOU ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, WHY DO YOU NEED COMPLAINTS? ARE YOU WAITING FOR SOMETHING TO HAPPEN, INSTEAD OF PREVENTING SOMETHING FROM HAPPENING? I WOULD SURELY APPRECIATE NHTSA LOOKING INTO THIS MATTER, AS I AM SURE MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN EFFECTED BY THIS SAME PROBLEM & NOT EVEN KNOW THAT A POSSIBLE RECALL WAS OUT THERE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10449764
Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IF THE VEHICLE HAD A HALF TANK OF GAS OR LESS THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. WHENEVER HE PUT A SMALL AMOUNT OF GASOLINE IN THE TANK USING A GAS CAN, THE VEHICLE WOULD START. THE CONTACT FOUND NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 02V150000 (…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IF THE VEHICLE HAD A HALF TANK OF GAS OR LESS THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. WHENEVER HE PUT A SMALL AMOUNT OF GASOLINE IN THE TANK USING A GAS CAN, THE VEHICLE WOULD START. THE CONTACT FOUND NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 02V150000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY) THAT WAS RELATED TO THE ELECTRONIC FUEL PUMP. THE FAILURE COULD OCCUR WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS AT A HALF TANK OR LESS. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 138,000.
NHTSA ODI #10447901
109,000 miles · Oct 12, 2011
Parking BrakePower TrainCrash
I JUST CAME ACROSS NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE11025 AND WANTED TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING: I PARKED MY CAR IN FRONT OF MY DAUGHTER'S DAY CARE CENTER (THE GODDARD SCHOOL, SUWANEE) ON THE MONDAY BEFORE EASTER IN 2010 (MARCH 29, 2010). WHEN I CAME OUT, I DISCOVERED THE CAR APPROXIMATELY 40 YARDS AWAY CRASHED INTO THE EMBANKM…
Read full complaint
I JUST CAME ACROSS NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE11025 AND WANTED TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING: I PARKED MY CAR IN FRONT OF MY DAUGHTER'S DAY CARE CENTER (THE GODDARD SCHOOL, SUWANEE) ON THE MONDAY BEFORE EASTER IN 2010 (MARCH 29, 2010). WHEN I CAME OUT, I DISCOVERED THE CAR APPROXIMATELY 40 YARDS AWAY CRASHED INTO THE EMBANKMENT OF THE NEIGHBORING PARKING LOT, AT AN INCLINE OF APPROXIMATELY 45 DEGREES. MY CAR WAS DAMAGED, AS WAS THE LANDSCAPING AT THE CRASH SITE, HOWEVER, NO ONE WAS INJURED. IN RESPONSE TO MY INQUIRY, BMW INDICATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO ISSUES SUCH AS THE ONE I EXPERIENCED. THE REPAIR SHOP WAS BAFFLED BY THE ISSUE AS WELL AND SAID IT MIGHT BE ATTRIBUTABLE TO A FAULTY PARKING BRAKE ACTUATOR. THE VEHICLE STILL GIVES OCCASIONAL TRANSMISSION FAULT ERROR MESSAGES AND INDICATORS. I HAD TO FILE AN INSURANCE CLAIM AND CAN CONTACT THE COMPANY FOR DETAILS. I ALSO STILL HAVE PICTURES SOMEWHERE IF SOMEONE WOULD LIKE TO VIEW THEM. THE REPAIRS (MECHANICAL AND BODY WORK) WERE COMPLETED AT GODWIN AUTOMOTIVE IN DULUTH/JOHNS CREEK, GEORGIA. THE MILEAGE STATED ABOVE IS BASED ON MEMORY AND MY NOT BE ACCURATE. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10429922
Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2011
Electrical SystemPower Train
TRANSMISSION GOES INTO NEUTRAL WHEN I PUSH BUTTON TO STOP CAR,ALSO LOGIC 7 SOUND IS A PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10429261
106,112 miles · Aug 30, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 745 LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING, THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,112 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,313.
NHTSA ODI #10422543
106,234 miles · Aug 30, 2011
Power Train
WHEN CAR PUT IN REVERSE; TRANSMISSION GOES INTO NEUTRAL ABRUPTLY. TRANS IN NEUTRAL CODE APPEARS ON DASH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10422538
81,500 miles · Aug 11, 2011
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR MAT WAS CRACKED, WHICH IN TURN DEACTIVATED THE AIR BAG AND MADE THE LIGHT ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW 745LI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR MAT WAS CRACKED, WHICH IN TURN DEACTIVATED THE AIR BAG AND MADE THE LIGHT ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 81,500.
NHTSA ODI #10418488
118,000 miles · Mar 22, 2011
Electrical System
AFTER PICKING UP MY 2002 BMW 745LI FROM ORANGE COUNTY BMW ON 3/11/11 WITH A BILL OF $1,500.00 DOLLARS FOR NEW BATTERY CABLES AND A B-PILLAR SENSOR. TRANSMISSION FAILSAFE MODE LIGHT CAME ON. DATE 3/15/11; TURN SIGNAL, HORN AS WELL AS THE WIPER BLADES STOP WORKING. PLEASE HELP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10392429
112,000 miles · Dec 5, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 10V-446, BMW BRAKE VACUUM PUMP I RECEIVE THE RECALL PAPER FROM BMW IN MAIL. I CALLED TO SCHEDULE THE SERVICE WITH BMW DEALER. THEY DENIED TO QUOTE IF MY CAR THAT WOULD BE DELIVERED ON THE SCHEDULE THEY GIVE ME WOULD BE READY IN 4 HOURS TIME THEY QUOTED OR SAME DAY, AND IF NOT DO THEY PROVIDE ME A LOANER? THE…
Read full complaint
RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 10V-446, BMW BRAKE VACUUM PUMP I RECEIVE THE RECALL PAPER FROM BMW IN MAIL. I CALLED TO SCHEDULE THE SERVICE WITH BMW DEALER. THEY DENIED TO QUOTE IF MY CAR THAT WOULD BE DELIVERED ON THE SCHEDULE THEY GIVE ME WOULD BE READY IN 4 HOURS TIME THEY QUOTED OR SAME DAY, AND IF NOT DO THEY PROVIDE ME A LOANER? THEY DENIED ALL MY REQUEST, MEANING COMPLETING THE SERVICE SAME DAY OR PROVIDING ME THE LOANER. I CALLED BMW CENTER AND AMAZINGLY THEY WERE TRYING TO PASS ME TO DEALER, AND THEY WERE INSISTING THAT THIS IS THE DEALER CALL. I TRIED TO LET THEM UNDERSTAND THAT THE CAR IS TAKING TO BMW SERVICE CENTER BECAUSE OF BMW FAULT AND NOT MINE, AND THEY CAN NOT GET MY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION WITHOUT PROVIDING ME A LOANER, OR THEY QUOTE AND DO THE JOB SAME DAY. IT SEEMS BMW MANAGEMENT BELIEVE THIS IS A FAVOR TO THE CUSTOMERS, AND DO NOT WANT TO AGREE AND ACCEPT THAT THEY HAVE PU THOUSANDS OF LIVES IN DANGER FOR MANY YEARS, AND THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE TO IX THE CARS IN A WAY NOT TO HASSLE THE CUSTOMERS. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT ON BMW MANAGEMENT BEHAVIOR AND IRRESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS CUSTOMERS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10369242
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
Illustration