NHTSA Complaint #10105896 — 1998 BMW 540I

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY issue reported to NHTSA

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Complaint Details

ODI Number	10105896
Vehicle	1998 BMW 540I
Component	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
Date of Incident	February 12, 2004
Date Filed	January 6, 2005
Mileage	92,801 miles
Crash	No
Fire	No
Injuries	0
Deaths	0
Vehicle Towed	No
State	TX

Consumer Description

2ND CATASTROPHIC RADIATOR FAILURE. NOT A LEAK, THE NECK BREAKS OFF CAUSING IMMEDIATE LOSS OF COOLING. 1ST RADIATOR AT 45K, 2ND AT 92K. BASED ON OTHER'S EXPERIENCES, THIS IS VERY COMMON FOR THIS MODEL (AND EVEN LONGER LIFE THAN MANY). CAUSES LOSS OF VISION DUE TO AMOUNT OF STEAM RELEASED. LESS EXPERIENCED DRIVER MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING VEHICLE TO GET TO SIDE OF ROAD QUICKLY TO SHUT DOWN. NO WAY TO PREDICT THE FAILURE. SAME ISSUE WITH EXPANSION TANK. BOTH FAILURES ARE ON PLASTIC PARTS.*AK

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