2004 BMW X3

BMW X3 IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON CERTAIN ROAD CONDITIONS. IT WILL SWERVE AND COME CLOSE TO PULLING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. IT IS SUDDEN AND AT TIMES I HAVE JUST AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT. BMW SAID THAT THEY WILL NOT CORRECT THIS AND CLAIMS IT IS HOW THE CAR IS MEANT TO DRIVE. I FEEL THAT IT IS TOO DANGEROUS AND WANT THIS CORRECTED OR RECALLED. *JB

ON JULY 25TH, 2005 AT 12:30 PM MY DAUGHTER LOST STEERING CONTROL OF OUR 2004 MINI COOPER (18,000 TOTAL MILES OF TRAVEL), APPROXIMATELY 1.5 BLOCKS FROM OUR HOUSE AND SLIGHTLY SIDE SWIPED A PARKED CAR GOING AT VERY LOW SPEED BECAUSE OF A CONSTRUCTION ZONE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS APPARENT THAT THE TIE ROD OF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WAS COMPLETELY SEVERED. THE DAMAGE WAS FAR BELOW THE THRESHOLD THAT WOULD BE EXPECTED TO BREAK A TIE ROD. WHEN PROMPTED, MY DAUGHTER RECALLED BUMPING THE CURB WHEN SHE PARKED THE CAR AND HOUR OR SO BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE IMPACT TO THE CURB WAS AT 1-4 MPH AND CONSISTED OF A SLIGHT BUMP AND A SCRAPE AND WAS NOT CONSIDERED SIGNIFICANT BY MY DAUGHTER. THE TIE ROD HAS NOW BEEN REPLACED AND IS IN OUR POSSESSION. THE DAMAGE TIE ROD IS COMPLETED SEVERED AND APPARENTLY SNAPPED WHERE A THREADED AREA OF THE ROD IS INSERTED IN A BOLT. ALL OF THE BREAKAGE AND DAMAGE TO THE ROD IS LIMITED TO A 3/4 CM THREADED AREA OF THIS ROD WHERE THE BREAKAGE OCCURRED, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO BENDING OR WORN AREAS OUTSIDE OF THIS PORTION OF THE ROD. BECAUSE THIS BREAKAGE OCCURRED AT THE WEAKEST POSITION OF THE TIE ROD AND RESULTED FROM A TYPICAL PARKING MANEUVER, I AM VERY CONCERN THAT THIS BREAKAGE RESULTED FROM EITHER A DEFECTIVE TIE ROD OR IS RELATED TO A SYSTEMATIC STRUCTURAL-DESIGN DEFECT. OF COURSE AN ALTERNATIVE IS THAT BUMPING A CURB DURING CARELESS LOW SPEED PARKING CREATES A SUFFICIENT FORCE TO BREAK A TIE ROD AND MAKE THIS VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE THEREAFTER. THIS LATE EXPLANATION WAS PROPOSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. ALTHOUGH MY DAUGHTER WAS NOT INJURED AND THE COST OF REPAIR WAS LESS THAN $500 DOLLARS, I AM SUBMITTING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE OF THE UNUSUAL NATURE AND THE POTENTIAL TO RESULT IN A MORTAL ACCIDENT. *JB

DT: 2004 BMW 300 SERIES. THE CONSUMER STATES THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED SPONTANEOUSLY. SHE WAS DRIVING 10-15 MPH WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT INJURED. THE SENSOR STRIP BENEATH THE DRIVER'S SEAT SHOWS AN AREA OF IMPACT. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN IMPACT; THE CONSUMER HAS ALWAYS HAD THIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THIS OCCURRED ON A FLAT RESIDENTIAL ROAD. SHE WAS AT A STOP SIGN AND WHEN SHE STARTED TO ACCELERATE, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.*AK

ON JULY 25TH, 2005 AT 12:30 PM MY DAUGHTER LOST STEERING CONTROL OF OUR 2004 MINI COOPER (18,000 TOTAL MILES OF TRAVEL), APPROXIMATELY 1.5 BLOCKS FROM OUR HOUSE AND SLIGHTLY SIDE SWIPED A PARKED CAR GOING AT VERY LOW SPEED BECAUSE OF A CONSTRUCTION ZONE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS APPARENT THAT THE TIE ROD OF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WAS COMPLETELY SEVERED. THE DAMAGE WAS FAR BELOW THE THRESHOLD THAT WOULD BE EXPECTED TO BREAK A TIE ROD. WHEN PROMPTED, MY DAUGHTER RECALLED BUMPING THE CURB WHEN SHE PARKED THE CAR AND HOUR OR SO BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE IMPACT TO THE CURB WAS AT 1-4 MPH AND CONSISTED OF A SLIGHT BUMP AND A SCRAPE AND WAS NOT CONSIDERED SIGNIFICANT BY MY DAUGHTER. THE TIE ROD HAS NOW BEEN REPLACED AND IS IN OUR POSSESSION. THE DAMAGE TIE ROD IS COMPLETED SEVERED AND APPARENTLY SNAPPED WHERE A THREADED AREA OF THE ROD IS INSERTED IN A BOLT. ALL OF THE BREAKAGE AND DAMAGE TO THE ROD IS LIMITED TO A 3/4 CM THREADED AREA OF THIS ROD WHERE THE BREAKAGE OCCURRED, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO BENDING OR WORN AREAS OUTSIDE OF THIS PORTION OF THE ROD. BECAUSE THIS BREAKAGE OCCURRED AT THE WEAKEST POSITION OF THE TIE ROD AND RESULTED FROM A TYPICAL PARKING MANEUVER, I AM VERY CONCERN THAT THIS BREAKAGE RESULTED FROM EITHER A DEFECTIVE TIE ROD OR IS RELATED TO A SYSTEMATIC STRUCTURAL-DESIGN DEFECT. OF COURSE AN ALTERNATIVE IS THAT BUMPING A CURB DURING CARELESS LOW SPEED PARKING CREATES A SUFFICIENT FORCE TO BREAK A TIE ROD AND MAKE THIS VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE THEREAFTER. THIS LATE EXPLANATION WAS PROPOSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. ALTHOUGH MY DAUGHTER WAS NOT INJURED AND THE COST OF REPAIR WAS LESS THAN $500 DOLLARS, I AM SUBMITTING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE OF THE UNUSUAL NATURE AND THE POTENTIAL TO RESULT IN A MORTAL ACCIDENT. *JB

MOTORCYCLE: 2004 BMW R1150R, VIN ENDING IN ZF49715 DEFECTIVE FUEL SYSTEM PART: FUEL LINE QUICK RELEASE "CONNECTORS", PART NO. 13317659119. PLASTIC FUEL LINE CONNECTOR SPONTANEOUSLY FRACTURED, SPRAYING FUEL ON HOT ENGINE AND EXHAUST PIPE. HAD THERE BEEN A SPARK THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD HAVE BURNED UP IN THE STREET. BMW TECHNICIAN TOLD ME IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM BECAUSE AFTER A YEAR OR SO, THE MATERIAL, WHEN EXPOSED TO FUEL, BECAME BRITTLE. HE WAS SURPRISED THERE HAD NOT BEEN A RECALL. I SUSPECT THERE HAVE BEEN HUNDREDS OF UNREPORTED INCIDENTS WITH THIS PART, SOME OF WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN TRAGIC. I WAS STRANDED FOR QUITE A WHILE, BECAUSE AT THE TIME OF THE SPONTANEOUS RUPTURE THE ENGINE HAD TO BE IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF AND THE MOTORCYCLE PUSHED OUT OF TRAFFIC AND OFF THE HIGHWAY. *NM

DT: 2004 BMW MOTORCYCLE 1150R VIN ZF49715 DEFECTIVE FUEL SYSTEM PART, FUEL LINE QUICK RELEASE; CONNECTOR "S",BMW PART #13317659119. PLASTIC FUEL LINE CONNECTOR SPONTANEOUSLY FRACTURED, SPRAYING FUEL ON HOT ENGINE AND EXHAUST PIPE. HAD THERE BEEN A SPARK THE MOTORCYCLE WOULD HAVE BURNED UP IN THE STREET. A BMW TECHNICIAN SAID THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM BECAUSE AFTER A YEAR OR SO THE MATERIAL WHEN EXPOSED TO FUEL BECAME BRITTLE. MOTORCYCLE WAS REPAIRED. *AK

DT: CONSUMER EXPERIENCED COMPUTER FAILURE, THAT INCLUDED ALL OF THE GAUGES ON THE DASHBOARD I.E., FUEL, TEMPERATURE, ELECTRONIC SPEED). THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR LIGHTING FAILED, BRAKE LIGHTS, SIGNAL LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE ALWAYS HAD A ELECTRONIC MESSAGE STATING THAT THERE WAS AN AIRBAG FAILURE. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED NOT TO WORRY ABOUT THE AIRBAG FAILURE MESSAGE. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED DOOR LOCK FAILURE. THE LOCKS WOULD NOT LOCK. THE LOCKS WOULD WORK MOST OF THE TIME WITH THE KEYLESS ENTRY. THE RADIO NEVER WORKED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON CONTINUOUSLY. CONSUMER STATES SHE HAD THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AT LEAST 8 TO 10 TIMES. THE DEALER WOULD TAKE THE CAR IN THE BACK AND ADJUST SOMETHING AND THEN RETURN IT TO THE CONSUMER AND TELL HER IT WAS FIXED. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS UNSAFE DUE TO EXTERIOR LIGHTS FAILING AND AIRBAG FAILURE LIGHT. CONSUMER DOES NOT OWN THE CAR ANY LONGER. DEALER CONTACTED HIM TO BRING THE CAR BACK IN AND HE WOULD GIVE HIS MONEY BACK. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN PASSED ON TO ANOTHER CONSUMER WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS. *JB *NM

HI, I WAS WONDERING IF ANYONE HAS HEARD OF 3SERIES SPONTANEOUSLY CATCHING FIRE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. MY LADY AND I WERE DRIVING IN HOUSTON MAY 1ST WHEN SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT OF THE AIR DUCTS.THEN THE GAUGES STARTED TO GO UP AND DOWN, AS SOON AS I SAW THAT I PULLED OVER AND STARTED TO GET MY VALUABLES OUT. WITHIN 9-13 MIN THE CAR WAS FULLY INVOLVED WITH FIRE. I WAS IN AWE STANDING THERE WATCHING MY 2004 BMW AS IT WNT UP IN SMOKE. THE NEXT DAY BMW OF HOUSTON NORTH, MY LOCAL DEALER, WENT AND PICKED IT UP FROM THE TOW YARD AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID A TEAM IS COMING DOWN AND IT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION. I WAS WONDERING IF ANYONE HAD ANY ADVICE, COMMENTS OR JUST TO SAY "SORRY TO HEAR THAT".I FINALLY TALKED TO MY CONTACT AT BMW NA . HIS NAME IS [XXX] AND HE STATED TO ME THAT THE INVESTIGATION TEAM COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OR NATURE OF THE FIRE. SINCE THEY COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE, THAT I FILE THE UNDER MY INSURANCE. I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT THEY TOLD ME THIS. I ASKED FOR HIS SUPERVISORS NAME AND # AND SAID, THANK YOU FOR YOU TIME AND I WILL CONTACT HIM. I GOT OFF THE PHONE JUST SO MAD, BUT I KEPT MY COOL ON THE PHONE. I CALLED MY DEALERSHIP AND STATED TO THEM WHAT CUSTOMER RELATIONS TOLD TO ME. I TALKED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AND TOLD HIM HE NEEDS TO START CONTACTING SOMEONE ABOUT THIS ISSUE, VERY QUICKLY. BMW NA THEY SAID THEY ARE STANDING WITH"WE CANT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE AND WE CANT HELP AT ALL" END QUOTE. THEY ALSO SAID YOUR OPTIONS ARE TO GET WITH YOUR COUNCIL AND SEND A CERTIFIED LETTER. EVERYONE THAT I TALK TO ABOUT THIS, IS AMAZED THAT BMW HAS DROPPED ME IN THE GREASE AND IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. ALLSTATE CALLED ME THUR AND TOLD ME THAT THERE TEAM OF INVESTIGATORS FOUND THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE THAT TOOK THE LIFE OF MY CAR ON MAY 1. THEY SAID THEY FOUND THAT IT WAS THE "CORRECT ME IF I SAY THIS WRONG" B CABLE GOING TO THE STARTER WAS PINCHED AND CAUSED THE IGNITION. P.S. MAKE OF MY CAR IS 325CI, NOT A X3 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT