2011 BMW Z4 Sdrive35I 2 DR RWD

Vehicle has less than 50,000 miles and already having steering malfunction alerts. Steering randomly stops working and unable to turn vehicle.

CAR HAS A STEERING PROBLEM THAT GOES IN AND OUT. WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL WILL SHAKE WHEN NOT MOVING.

VEHICLE STOLEN BY JESUS VELASQUEZ DOB 10.30.1968 561.306.0427 678.923.0258 678.574.7991 904.464.6798 525 CARAWAY COURT ST. JONS FLORIDA 139 PAVIA PLACE ST JOHNS FLORIDA 32259 CHRYSLER FLORIDA PLATEVBXXPN4

ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING HAS INTERMITTENT FAULTS/ERRORS DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. BMW ACKNOWLEDGED THIS ISSUE AND DID A RECALL IN 2012 FOR 2012 MODEL YEAR Z4'S - NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V302000. THE SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM IS WELL BEYOND THE 162 VEHICLES THAT WERE ADDRESSED WITH THE RECALL IN 2012.

THE PARKING BRAKE FAILED WITH AN AMBER INDICATOR SHOWING ON THE DASHBOARD WHEN STARTING THE CAR. HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN GEAR (6SP) AND THEN GET OUT AND CHOCK THE WHEELS IN ORDER TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING DOWN HILL. INDEPENDANT REPAIR STATION INFORMED ME THERE WAS AN ERROR CODE - 6017 WHEEL SPEED SENSOR DFA_EMF IN THE PARKING BRAKE MODULE. THIS ERROR IS IN FACT A BUG IN THE SOFTWARE AND REQUIRED A NEW VERION OF CODE TO BE LOADED AT THE BMW DEALER FOR A COST OF $430. BMW HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM SINCE AT LEAST 2013 AND HAS NOT ISSUED A NOTICE OR RECALL. THIS ISSUE AFFECTING HUNDREDS OF BMWS NEEDS TO BE INVESIGATED DUE TO THE OBVIOUS SAFTEY CONCERNS.

EPS FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON STATE HIGHWAY. POWER STEERING ALARM CAME ON AND STEERING BECAME VERY STIFF AND HARD TO STEER. PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND TURNED CAR OFF AND BACK ON. FAULT RESET BUT THE ALARM OCASSIONALLY STILL SOUNDED. TOOK TO BMW SERVICE, CHECKED OUT AND SAID THE EPS BOX NEEDED REPLACED. DEALER SERVICED CAR AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE CAR FOR FIVE MONTHS. THIS TIME STEERING FAILED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING , BUT THE STEERING RETURNED. HEADED TO HOME AND STEERING AGAIN FAILED AND ALARM CAME ON. STEERING NOW IS STIFF AND CANNOT DRIVE. THERE WAS A RECALL (12V3002000) NOV 2011 THROUGH 2012 WAS RECALLED. MY CAR MFG IN OCT. 2011. SO BMW SAID OUR CAR WAS NOT COVERED. I FEEL BMW SHOULD LOOK AT EARLIER CARS AS THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. IF MY WIFE WOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE CAR WHEN THIS FAILED SHE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO OVERCOME THE STEERING FAILURE. FIRST FAILURE AT 74,000 MILES.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW Z4. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT IT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW OF ASHEVILLE (649 NEW AIRPORT RD, FLETCHER, NC 28732, (828) 681-9900) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

WHEN EXITING A PARKING LOT INTO A CITY STREET, WHEN THE BRAKES WHERE PRESSED, A LOUD POP NOISE WAS HEARD, THEN A HISSING NOISE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL SANK TO THE FLOOR. THERE WAS NO BRAKING POWER AFTER THAT AND MY CAR ROLLED INTO THE STREET OUT OF CONTROL, IT WAS A SCARY SITUATION BUT NO ACCIDENT OR COLLISION OCURRED AT THIS TIME. TO STOP THE CAR THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE PRESSED VERY HARD ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR,THERE WAS NO LEAKEAGE OF BRAKE FLUID. THE BMW DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED A FAULTY BRAKE BOOSTER.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED BILL PEARCE BMW AT (775) 337-9649 (LOCATED AT 11555 S VIRGINIA ST, RENO, NV 89511) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

FAILED EPS MODULE WHILE DRIVING. ON THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 60MPH ON A 90 DEGREE DAY. EPS WARNING LIGHT (ALONG WITH PARKING AND ESC LIGHTS) POPPED UP AND STEERING FROZE. AFTER SOME FORCE COULD GET STEERING TO MOVE... SLOWED DOWN AND GOT OFF HIGHWAY. LUCKILY WAS ONLY GOING STRAIGHT AND WAS NOT PASSING OR IN A TURN, VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF/ON - ALL WARNING LIGHTS EXCEPT EPS STEERING RESET. CAR POWER ASSISTED STEERING NOW RANDOMLY GOES ON/OFF. DEALER STATED THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE BUT ONLY FOR THE 2012 MODEL YEAR. WELL IT APPEARS THE SAME ISSUE IS ALSO ON THE 2011 AND IT ALMOST KILLED ME. LUCKILY I WAS GOING STRAIGHT AND NOT PASSING OR IN A TURN. DEALER ALSO MENTIONED THE FAILED MODULE IS NOT A REPARABLE BMW PART AND THE ENTIRE STEERING ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED... SO A VERY EXPENSIVE INVASIVE PROCEDURE TO REPLACE A PART THAT CAN FAIL AGAIN ON A HOT DAY. VOLTAGE ISSUE APPARENTLY WAS FIXED IN THE 2012 MODEL YEAR BUT NOT ON THE 2011. NHTSA SHOULD REVIEW THE RECALL 12V302000 AS THE 2011 MODEL YEAR APPARENTLY ALSO HAS THIS SAME ISSUE AS LUCKILY I JUST LIVED THROUGH IT.

THE WHEELS ON THE CAR DEVELOPED HAIR LINE FRACTURES, ONE WHEEL WAS DAMAGED TO THE POINT IT WOULD NOT KEEP INFLATED. GOOGLE HAS MANY COMPLAINTS POSTED , I INQUIRED TO BMW DEALER WITHOUT RESOLVE. I DECIDED TO REPLACE THE WHEELS AT MY EXPENSE.

THIS PROBLEM AFFECTS WHEEL STYLE "296" A 19" OPTIONAL ALLOY WHEEL PACKAGE FOR E89 BMW Z4. BMW PART NUMBER 36116785257(REAR WHEEL 19X9) AND 36116785256(FRONT WHEEL 19X8. UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, MULTIPLE CRACKS DEVELOPED ON INNER EDGE OF RIM LIP LEADING TO LARGE DROP IN TIRE PRESSURE AND POTENTIALLY UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION. THIS HAPPENED TO (1) OF MY REAR WHEELS. AFTER DOING RESEARCH, I STRONGLY BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AS MANY OWNERS OF THE SAME PARTICULAR WHEEL MODEL "296" ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS. IT IS NOTED IN THE FOLLOWING LINK: HTTP://E89.ZPOST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=485935 CONTACTED BMWNA CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND THEY DECLINED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE.

I'VE NOTICED THAT MY REAR PASSENGER TIRE WAS LOSING PRESSURE EVEN AFTER INFLATING IT MULTIPLE TIMES SO I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO BMW OF MURRIETA TO GET THE WHEELS INSPECTED. IT WAS VERIFIED BY THEIR TECHNICIANS THAT BOTH REAR RIMS WERE CRACKED AND THAT IT WOULD COST AND ESTIMATE OF NEARLY $1,800 TO REPLACE. I DENIED THE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT AS I DIDN'T BELIEVE I SHOULD PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR WHAT I BELIEVE IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I LEARNED THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME EXACT ISSUE WITH THE SAME EXACT RIM STYLE ON THIS VEHICLE, THE REAR RIMS ARE PRONE TO CRACKING UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, WHICH I BELIEVE IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. I FILED A CLAIM WITH BMW CORP, CLAIMS DEPARTMENT AND THEY DENIED REIMBURSING ME OR AGREE TO FIX THE WHEELS UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. MY VEHICLE HAS SINCE BEEN IN NONOPERATION WITHOUT A LOANER VEHICLE GIVEN TO ME BY BMW. *TR

ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED. STEERING SYSTEM FAILURE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE, AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TURN A FEW DEGREES WITH POWER ASSISTANCE AND AS I CONTINUED TO TURN THE WHEEL POWER ASSIST WENT AWAY REQUIRING EXCESSIVE EFFORT TO TURN. THIS FIRST APPEARED ON START UP AS I WAS DRIVING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. *TR

IN THE MORNING OF OCTOBER 23RD, I'VE NOTICED THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR (TPM) TURN ON IN MY CAR FOR THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL. IT APPEARED TO BE COMPLETELY FLAT. WITH THE RUNT FLAT TIRE, I DROVE CAREFULLY TO THE NEAREST GAS STATION TO FILL THE TIRE WITH AIR TO SPECIFICATION OF 42 PSI. HOURS LATER, I CHECK THE PRESSURE TO SEE IF IT HOLDS. THE TIRE LOST SIGNIFICANT PRESSURE AND THE TPM TURNED ON AGAIN. I ONCE AGAIN WENT TO THE NEAREST GAS STATION TO FILL THE TIRE WITH AIR AND HOURS LATER, IT LOST PRESSURE AGAIN, EVENTUALLY GOING COMPLETELY FLAT. IT APPEARS THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS PARTICULAR MAKE AND MODEL WITH THE SAME RIM STYLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AND I SUSPECT THAT THE RIM HAS A SLIGHT CRACK DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. IT SEEMS TO BE A FLAW IN THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE RIM THAT ALLOWS IT TO CRACK AND LOSE AIR PRESSURE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW Z4. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND MADE THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V302000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I PURCHASED THIS OVER $30,000 EXPENSIVE LEMON ON DECEMBER 2,2015. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SERVICE CENTER MORE THAN I'VE DRIVEN IT. MY EXPENSIVE LEMON OF AN INVESTMENT IS CURRENTLY AT THE BMW MIDTOWN SERVICE CENTER WAITING ON THE ARRIVAL OF ITS NEW ENGINE FROM GERMANY. I WAS TOLD IT WILL TAKE WEEKS. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN MY PRE-OWNED CERTIFIED VEHICLE. THE RESOLUTION OFFERED TO ME IS NOT APPRECIATED BY ME. PLEASE ANY FEEDBACK FROM BMW IS WELCOMED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I'M A OWNER OF 2011 BMW Z4 35I WITH 296 STYLE WHEELS. BMW'S 296 STYLE WHEEL CONSIDERED HAS DESIGN DEFECTS BY MOST OF OWNERS, SINCE THEY REALLY EASILY CRACKED WITHOUT IMPACT. REASON WHY 296 STYLE WHEELS GOT EASILY CRACKED DEFINITELY SEEMS FLAWED DESIGN, AND IT CAN BE PROVED BY OTHER WHEELS WITH SAME DIAMETER DON'T HAVE THESE KIND OF PROBLEM. ALSO FATIGUE STRUCTURE FAILURE MEANS, STRUCTURE STRENGTH OF WHEEL DESIGN WASN'T PROPERLY REVIEWED. ALSO BMW CHANGED ITS DESIGN OF INNER BARREL TO REINFORCE STRENGTH AROUND 2012. THERE WAS SETTLEMENT BETWEEN OWNERS AND BMW NA ABOUT THIS ISSUE, BUT IT ONLY COVERS DURING INITIAL FACTORY WARRANTY. (HTTP://Z4296WHEELSETTLEMENT.COM) ALTHOUGH MY BMW Z4 DOESN'T HAVE INITIAL FACTORY WARRANTY, IT STILL HAS CPO WARRANTY. BMW NA AND LOCAL DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE OR FIX MY CRACKED WHEELS, SINCE MY CPO WARRANTY DON'T COVER WHEELS. THE REASON CPO WARRANTY DOESN'T COVER WHEELS SEEMS THEY CAN BE DAMAGED FROM CURB OR POT-HOLE. (NEITHER OF THEM ARE MY CASE.) HOWEVER IF MOST OF OWNER SUFFERED BY SAME PROBLEM, IT DEFINITELY CAN BE CONSIDERED TO CAUSED BY FLAWED DESIGN, NOT MIS-USE OR ABUSE BY OWNER. IN ADDITION, BMW SHOULD REPLACE THOSE WHEELS REGARDLESS WARRANTY PERIOD. (THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED IN S.KOREA. BMW KOREA ADMITTED ITS PROBLEM AND CHANGING OWNERS 296 WHEELS REGARDLESS THEIR WARRANTY PERIOD.) PLEASE FIND RELEVANT LINKS AS FOLLOWS. HTTP://E89.ZPOST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=764312 HTTP://E89.ZPOST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=742693&HIGHLIGHT=296+POLL HTTP://E89.ZPOST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=484812&HIGHLIGHT=296+POLL

THE INCIDENT OCCURRED IN AUBURN, CA. WE HAD JUST FINISHED LUNCH AND WERE PLANNING TO HEAD HOME. I PLACED MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO START THE CAR AND WE HEARD A DISTINCT POPPING NOISE. AS I ENGAGED THE TRANSMISSION AND STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD I IMMEDIATELY REALIZED THE BMW HAD LOST ITS BRAKING ABILITY. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE CAR AND RE-PARK THE VEHICLE. WE HAD THE VEHICLE FLAT BEDDED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP IN SACRAMENTO, CA. THE DEALER TOOK A WEEK TO REPAIR IT AND WHEN I RETRIEVED THE CAR THE REPAIR REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT THE POWER ASSIST AND MASTER CYLINDER HAD FAILED AND BEEN REPLACED. RECENTLY I CHECKED THE INTERNET FOR OTHER SIMILAR INCIDENTS WITH BMWS AND FOUND THAT BMW HAS BEEN DOING A "VOLUNTARY" RECALL ON 2012S AND 2013S. BMW HAS NOT YET ISSUED A RECALL FOR 2011 MODELS TO MY KNOWLEDGE. I FEEL STRONGLY THAT THE NHTSA SHOULD REQUIRE BMW TO IMMEDIATELY INITIATE A MANDATORY RECALL ON ALL BMWS THAT HAVE A SIMILAR BRAKING SYSTEM. IF WE HAD BEEN TRAVELING AT SPEED THERE WOULD MOST LIKELY HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT AND POSSIBLE INJURY. IF IT HAD BEEN ON THE FREEWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEED WE HATE TO THINK WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED. THESE VEHICLES ARE UNSAFE AND SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE ROAD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. *TR

MY BMW Z4 2011 STALLED FOR THE THIRD TIME. THIS HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT AS MY CAR WAS SLOWING DOWN. THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY AND I HAD NO POWER STEERING. I TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY FOR SERVICE AND CONTACTED BMW USA. I PURCHASED AND INSTALLED A DASH CAMERA AND CAPTURED THE STALLING ON THE THIRD INCIDENT AND PROVIDED THEM THE FOOTAGE. BMW USA DID A VISUAL INSPECTION AND CLAIMED THAT MY AFTER-MARKET LED LIGHT BULB IN MY DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WAS THE CAUSE OF MY STALLING WITHOUT PROVIDING ANY DOCUMENTATION OR TESTING. BASED ON THEIR CONCLUSIONS, THEY VOIDED MY ELECTRICAL AND POWERTRAIN WARRANTY AND DENIED ANY REPAIRS TO BE MADE BY ANY BMW DEALERSHIP PER BMW USA. THERE IS A DEFINITE ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE STALLING THAT BMW CANNOT RESOLVE AND THEY HAVE RESORTED TO BLAMING THE CONSUMER WITHOUT PROPER TESTING OR DOCUMENTATION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT DECELERATE. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A CURB IN ORDER TO GET IT TO STOP. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE CONTACT WAS NOT INFORMED OF WHAT CAUSED THE SHAKING OR BRAKING FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,000.

THE CAR STALLED FOR THE FIRST TIME. I WAS DRIVING FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES AT AROUND 25-35 MPH AND MADE A STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE CAR ENGINE AND ALL THE ELECTRICAL SHUT OFF COMPLETELY WHILE IN GEAR. I PUT THE CAR INTO 'PARK' THEN TRIED TO RESTART. IT DID NOT START THE ENGINE BUT THE ELECTRICAL CAME BACK ON AND THE YELLOW CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED. AFTER TWO ATTEMPTS (TAKING KEY OUT, PUTTING KEY IN, AND STARTING THE ENGINE), THE CAR STARTS AGAIN AND EVERYTHING WENT BACK TO NORMAL. *TR

MY CAR STALLED AGAIN ON JULY 26TH. IN THIS INSTANCE, I WAS ON THE FREEWAY DRIVING ON THE ON-RAMP BETWEEN 5-10 MPH. MY CAR STALLED COMPLETELY, HOWEVER, THIS TIME THE ELECTRICAL WAS STILL ON. I PANICKED BECAUSE I WAS STILL MOVING IN TRAFFIC. THANK GOD I WAS ABLE TO BREAK IN TIME AND RESTART MY CAR ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT BECAUSE I COULD'VE GOTTEN INTO AN ACCIDENT VERY EASILY WITH CARS DIRECTLY IN FRONT AND BEHIND ME. I WAS TOLD AT THE LAST SERVICE THAT ALL RECALLS WERE COMPLETED ON THE VEHICLE. SPECIFICALLY THE BATTERY CABLE WHICH CAUSED MANY PREVIOUS Z4 TO STALL RANDOMLY. THE STALLING IS STILL OCCURRING ON THIS VEHICLE AFTER THE RECALL. *TR

ON 01/05/2012, BMW SERVICE CENTER REPLACED AN IDRIVE PART AND REPROGRAMMED THE CAR. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR, I NOTICED AC IS NOT WORKING. SERVICE CENTER TOOK IT BACK AND DID A MASTER RESET. AFTER THAT SEVERAL TIMES I HAD THE ISSUE AND THEY COULDN'T FIX IT. ON 07/15/2013, I NOTICED THE AC IS NOT WORKING. IT WAS 85F OUTSIDE. I CALLED THE SERVICE MANAGER AND DROVE THE CAR TO HIM. HE CHECKED THE CAR AND CONFIRMED AC IS NOT WORKING. THEY TOOK THE CAR AND GAVE ME A LOANER. NEXT DAY THEY FOUND SOME ERROR CODES STORED IN THE CAR. WHILE THEY ARE LOOKING INTO THE CODES, AC STARTED WORKING ALL ON ITS OWN. BMW SAYS THE ERROR CODES ARE BOGUS CODES AND INSTRUCTED THE SERVICE MANAGER TO CLEAR THE CODES AND RETURN THE CAR TO ME. SERVICE MANAGER IS DOING HIS BEST TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE. BUT WITHOUT BMWS HELP AND SUPPORT HE CAN'T FIX THE ISSUE. IT IS EXTREMELY HOT IN JACKSONVILLE, FL AND WITHOUT AC IN THE CAR IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WITH A KID IN THE CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOUR TIMES BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPRODUCED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS GIVEN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,005 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

BLOW OUT AT 70 MPH, REPLACED REAR PASSENGER TIRE AT BMW WITH SAME RUN FLATS. NEXT DAY FLAT, RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY SAID I HAD 2 HAIRLINE CRACKS IN SAME WHEEL, WHICH NEEDED REPLACEMENT. I NOTICED A TON OF COMPLAINTS AND SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THESE 296 STYLE 19 INCH RIMS. *TR

26SEP12 THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM WILL PROVIDE A FALSE FAILURE WHEN THERE IS CERTAIN ELECTRICAL INTERFERENCE (E.G. CELL TOWERS). THIS IS A RECOGNIZED FACT AS NOTED IN THE DRIVER'S MANUAL (P.71). THE ISSUE IS THAT THE SYSTEM FAILS TO RESET AFTER THE INTERFERENCE HAS PASSED AND ALL OF THE FAILURE LIGHTS REMAIN ON FOR AN INDETERMINATE PERIOD OF TIME (FROM 2 HOURS TO 3 DAYS) BEFORE AUTOMATICALLY RESETTING. ABSENT THIS RESETTING THE CAR IS UNSAFE AS, WITHOUT A WARNING SYSTEM FOR TIRE FAILURE (EITHER LOW PRESSURE OR TREAD FAILURE), AN ACCIDENT COULD OCCUR. THE DEALER OFFERED NO SOLUTION AS THE COMPUTER DOES NOT REGISTER A SYSTEM INCIDENT AND ALL SYSTEMS PASSED A COMPUTER CHECK ON 16AUG.. BMW NORTH AMERICA ([XXX]) COULD NOT PROVIDE ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. A PROPERLY FUNCTIONING RESET SYSTEM IS NEEDED TO INSURE SAFE OPERATION OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. PRIOR REFERENCE WORKSPACE: NHTSA HOTLINE CENTER CASE: FAILURE OF TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS CASE NUMBER: [XXX] DATE: 09/24/2012 TIME: 16:15:14 CREATION DATE: 09/22/2012 CREATION TIME: 10:09:06 DESCRIPTION: ENTERED ON 09/24/2012 AT 16:15:14 EDT (GMT-0400) BY M WHITE: THANK YOU FOR CONTACTING THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE INFORMATION CENTER. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN FILING A COMPLAINT YOU MAY CALL OUR HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 AND A CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE WILL BE HAPPY TO ASSIST YOU. YOU MAY ALSO VISIT OUR WEB SITE AT WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV FOR INFORMATION. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AIR WAS LEAKING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PERSONAL MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WAS CRACKED AND THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE A TOTAL OF FIVE CRACKS ON THE REAR WHEELS. THE REAR DRIVER'S WHEEL SUFFERED THREE CRACKS AND THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL SUFFERED TWO CRACKS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CRACKS WERE CAUSED BY POTHOLES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY A PERSONAL MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE CRACKS WERE NOT FROM AN IMPACT, BUT INSTEAD FROM METAL FATIGUE. THE REAR DRIVER'S WHEEL WAS WELDED AS A TEMPORARY FIX. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 8,900.