NHTSA Complaint #10255034 — 2001 BMW 530I

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW 530I. THE CONTACT HAS EXPERIENCED CONTINUOUS FAILURES WITH THE RADIATOR SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE TOP HOUSING OF THE RADIATOR DETACHED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. UPON OPENING THE HOOD, WATER BEGAN SPRAYING FROM THE RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE SYSTEM OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESIGNED WITH A PRESSURE RELEASE CAP, WHICH CAUSED THE RADIATOR TO EXPLODE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $1,500. TWO YEARS LATER, WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE RADIATOR FAILED AND EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PLASTIC ON THE OVERFLOW TANK DETACHED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $400. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS DESIGNED CORRECTLY; THEREFORE, NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,319 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,699. UPDATED 020209 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE DID NOT EQUIPPED WITH A PRESSURE RELIEF SYSTEM FOR THE RADIATOR. UPDATED 02/03/09.*JB