NHTSA Complaint #10137615 — 2003 BMW 330XI

ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS IN PAST 2 YEARS I HAVE EXPERIENCED TIRE BLOW OUTS ON A TOTAL OF 4 TIRES ON MY 2003 BMW 330XI. ALL WERE CAUSED BY DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND STRIKING EITHER A POTHOLE OR A RAISED MANHOLE COVER. MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE ALSO CRACKED THE ALLOY WHEEL WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED. BMW SAYS THIS IS TO BE EXPECTED AND THE "WHEELS ARE NOT DESIGNED FOR HITTING POTHOLES". SINCE WHEN ARE CARS ONLY DESIGNED FOR OPERATING UNDER PERFECT CONDITIONS? TOTAL REPAIR EXPENSE HAS BEEN NEARLY $2000. THIS RESULTS FROM WHAT I BELIEVE IS A DESIGN FLAW WHEREBY VERY LOW ASPECT RATIO TIRES ARE STANDARD ON CAR AND DO NOT OFFER SUFFICIENT IMPACT RESISTANCE LEADING TO EXPLOSIVE FAILURE OF TIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLIES. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY FLAW AND SHOULD RESULT IN A RECALL AND CONSUMER REIMBURSEMENT. OWNERS CANNOT VOLUNTARILY SIMPLY FIT DIFFERENT SAFER TIRES OFFERING MORE PROTECTION AS THE CARS TRANSMISSION, TRACTION CONTROL, AND ABS WOULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED, PER BMW. *JB