NHTSA Complaint #10378186 — 2006 BMW 330I

2006 BMW 330I WAS FITTED WITH A STEERING COLUMN EQUIPPED WITH A STEERING LOCK SENSOR THAT IS PRONE TO FAILURE AND MAY RENDER THE CAR SAFE AND/OR INOPERABLE. I HAVE THIS ISSUE CURRENTLY THAT WILL REQUIRE OVER $1,000 IN REPAIRS. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL MAY LOCK UP DURING VEHICLE USE COMPROMISING THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND/OR FAMILY. THIS IS A CHRONIC AND RECURRING ISSUE THAT BMW IS AWARE OF AND THEY HAVE TAKEN STEPS TO RE-DESIGN THE COLUMNS IN 2007+ VEHICLES. UNFORTUNATELY, THEY WILL NOT RECALL THE 2006 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE COLUMNS THAT HAVE THIS DESIGN FLAW AND PROPENSITY FOR FAILURE. I HAVE CALLED BMW NA MULTIPLE TIMES TO DISCUSS BUT THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO ADMIT ANY CULPABILITY OF ADDRESS MY CONCERNS IN A PRODUCTIVE MANNER. I IN SPEAKING WITH MY BMW PARTS ADVISOR AND MECHANIC WHO RUNS A LARGE SCALE SERVICE GARAGE, HE SEES MANY VEHICLES COME IN FOR THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM AND ADVISED THAT IT IS "ONLY A MATTER OF TIME" BEFORE A CLASS ACTION SUIT IS TAKEN AGAINST THEM. IT IS FRUSTRATING THAT MY FAMILY IS AT RISK BECAUSE BMW WILL NOT TAKE AN ETHICAL STANCE ON THIS ISSUE AND ADDRESS THE SHORTCOMINGS IN THE DESIGN OF THE RE-DESIGNED 3-SERIES VEHICLE THAT I HAVE PURCHASED. 2006 WAS THE FIRST YEAR OF THE RE-DESIGN OF THE 3-SERIES AND THAT IS PERHAPS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE PROBLEM (SINCE THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR THAT THIS DESIGN WAS EMPLOYED IN A VEHICLE). PLEASE TAKE THIS COMPLAINT SERIOUSLY AND CHECK THE FACTS BY GOOGLING "E90 STEERING COLUMN PROBLEMS" TO FIND A WEALTH OF INFORMATION ON THE TOPIC INCLUDING MANY OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE AND HAVE HAD THEIR SAFETY AND FINANCES COMPROMISED. IF THE GOVERNMENT DOESN'T KEEP THESE LARGE AUTO MANUFACTURERS HONEST IN ADDRESSING THESE DESIGN FLAWS, CONSUMERS WILL BE SUBJECT TO PERPETUAL FINANCIAL AND POSSIBLE PHYSICAL HARM. SOMEONE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE INJURED OR WORSE BEFORE ACTION IS TAKEN TO ADDRESS THE SAFETY THREAT.. MOST COLUMNS OPERATE PROPERLY FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. *TR