NHTSA Complaint #10098002 — 2004 BMW X3

COPY OF EMAIL SENT TO BMW USA RE: X3 I LEARNED TODAY THAT MY NEW X3 HAS NO DISPLAY PANEL WARNING LIGHT OR SOUND TO WARN WHEN DOORS ARE UNLATCHED OR AJAR. THIS TYPE OF WARNING -- OFTEN USING BOTH PANEL LIGHTS AND SOUND -- HAS BEEN STANDARD EQUIPMENT IN MOST CARS FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS TO PROTECT PASSENGERS, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN, FROM ACCIDENTALLY FALLING OUT OF VEHICLES. MY OWN BMW DEALER REFUSED TO BELIEVE THAT MY X3 HAD NO SUCH WARNING DEVICE UNTIL HE FINALLY CHECKED HIS INVENTORY AND FOUND NO X3'S WITH ANY DOOR WARNING LIGHTS OR SOUNDS. HE SAID THERE IS NO APPLICABLE REPAIR OR UPGRADE KIT. THIS EXCLUSION IS SHOCKING IN VIEW OF BMW'S PLEDGE OF SAFETY. YOUR US HEADQUARTERS ADMITTED THE EXCLUSION AND SAID THERE WAS NO EXPLANATION FOR IT, ADDING THAT IT MUST BE INTENTIONAL SINCE "BMW ENGINEERS DON'T DO THINGS ACIDENTALLY." IN THE EVENT AN OCCUPANT IS INJURED OR KILLED IN A LOOSE LATCH DOOR RELEASE ACCIDENT, THIS EXCLUSION COULD ESTABLISH LIABILITY. AS SUCH, IN BMW'S OWN INTEREST, I URGE YOU TO CONTACT ALL OWNERS AND IMMEDIATELY LAUNCH A VOLUNTARY RECALL OF ALL X3'S TO INSTALL A DOOR/TAILGATE LOOSE LATCH WARNING DEVICE ON THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY PANEL. NO NEED TO CONTACT ME. TO AVOID RETALIATION, I HAVE ELECTED NOT TO DISCLOSE MY NAME. THANK YOU. COPIES TO US NHTSA, CENTER FOR AUTO SAFETY AND CONSUMER UNION