NHTSA Complaint #10522764 — 2007 BMW 328XI

I WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE HIGHWAY DURING A RAINSTORM WHEN THE 4X4, BRAKES WARNING CAME ON. THE HANDLING IMMEDIATELY WAS AFFECTED. I DIDN'T FEEL THE TRACTION I WAS USED TO AND BRAKING BECAME DANGEROUS. I WANTED TO PULL OVER BUT THE BRAKES MADE THE CAR STOP TOO ABRUPTLY, CAUSING ME TO SKID ON THE WET ROAD. HAD THE HIGHWAY BEEN BUSIER I'M SURE I WOULD'VE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I CONSIDER MYSELF VERY LUCKY. I TOOK MY CAR TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE TRANSFER CASE ACTUATOR GEAR. IT'S PLASTIC AND THE INTENSE HEAT CAUSES IT TO FAIL. I WAS TOLD THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON....SO MUCH THAT THE REPLACEMENTS ARE MADE OF A DIFFERENT COMPOSITE AND MORE HEAT RESISTANT. MY QUESTION IS WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR A GEAR THAT IS RECOGNIZED AS FAULTY. IF THE REPLACEMENTS ARE BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL THEN OBVIOUSLY BMW RECOGNIZES THAT TOO. THIS IS BECOMING WAY TO COMMON FOR BMW NOT TO REACT. *TR