NHTSA Complaint #10043678 — 2000 BMW 540IA

AT 71888 MILES THE RADIATOR OF MY BMW 540I BROKE BECAUSE OF A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC HOUSING AROUND THE OUTLET.I HAD READ ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON THE ROADFLY MESSAGE BOARD. I READ THAT THE RADITORS BROKE AROUND THE HOSE AND THEY ONLY LASTED ABOUT 50,000 MILES. WHEN I READ IT, I WONDERED IF I WAS DUE, ABOUT A MONTH LATER, I WAS SETTING AT A STOP LIGHT AND WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I ACCELERATED AWAY FROM THE LIGHT AND AS I DID I SAW STEAM COMING OUT OF THE FENDER WELLS. IT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS ANOTHER CAR, BUT SOON REALIZED IT WAS MINE. I PULLED OVER AND CALLED TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. IT WAS THE RADIATOR AND THE PLASIC HOUSING BROKE AROUND THE HOSE.THIS IS A SERIOUS MECHANICAL FLAW IN A AUTOMOBILE THAT OTHERWISE IS PRETTY DARN GOOD. I DON'T SEE WHY BMW CAN JUST PROVIDE AN ALL METAL RADIATOR, OR BEEF UP THE PLASTIC AROUND THE HOSE TO RESTAND THE STRAIN.*AK