NHTSA Complaint #10423206 — 2006 BMW 1 SERIES

A RELATIVE OF MINE OWNS A 2006, BMW, X5, 3.0I. I WAS THINKING ABOUT PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD ABOUT, WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE, A CATASTROPHIC MECHANICAL FAILURE. I WAS TOLD THAT MY RELATIVE ENTERED THE VEHICLE, STARTED IT, TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL, BUT THE TIRES DID NOT TURN. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A BMW DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR (THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY). THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED MY RELATIVE THAT A "BOLT" HAD BROKEN IN THE STEERING MECHANISM; THIS PREVENTED THE WHEELS FROM TURNING. MY RELATIVE TOLD ME THAT THE DEALERSHIP FIXED THE PROBLEM BUT NEVER PRODUCED ANY PAPERWORK DOCUMENTING THE VEHICLE REPAIR. THIS PEEKED MY CURIOSITY, SINCE I AM A FEDERAL AGENT. SHOULD THIS TYPE OF FAILURE HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO YOUR AGENCY? IF MY RELATIVE HAD BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THIS MECHANICAL FAILURE, IT WOULD HAVE PROBABLY CAUSED A CAR ACCIDENT AND SERIOUS BODILY INJURY OR DEATH. *TR