NHTSA Complaint #10557062 — 2010 BMW 528I

I NOTICED A SMELL OF FUEL EACH TIME MY WIFE PARKED HER CAR INSIDE OUR GARAGE. HER CAR FOR DUE A SERVICE SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR A FULL SERVICE. THE MECHANIC CALLED AND ASKED IF WE HAD BEEN SMELLING FUEL INSIDE OR AROUND THE VEHICLE. HE THEN EXPLAINED THAT HE SUSPECTED IT WAS ORIGINATING FROM UNDERNEATH THE REAR SEAT. HE LATER CONTACTED ME TO EXPLAIN THAT THE PLASTIC TUBE LOCATED ON TOP OF THE IN-TANK ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY HAD DEVELOPED A CRACK AND WAS ALLOWING FUEL TO SPRAY OUT ON TOP OF THE ASSEMBLY, WHICH WAS ALLOWING FUEL AND FUMES TO BUILD-UP IN-AND-AROUND THE VEHICLE. HE RECOMMENDED WE REPLACE IT IMMEDIATELY DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS. WHEN I WENT TO PICKUP THE VEHICLE, HE SHOWED ME THE CRACK IN THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY, AND EXPLAINED THAT HE HAD NEVER SEEN ONE CRACK LIKE THAT. TAKING THE VEHICLE IN FOR MAINTENANCE AND FINDING THE PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY AT THE TIME THAT WE DID, I BELIEVE, WAS A DISASTER AVOIDED. WE ARE PLANNING A TRIP OUT OF TOWN, AND WILL LEAVE THE VEHICLE IN OUR GARAGE FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 DAYS. OUR HOME GAS (OPEN FLAMED) HOT WATER HEATER IS LOCATED INSIDE OUR GARAGE. MY WIFE OFTEN BACKED HER CAR INTO OUR GARAGE WHICH PLACED THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 2 TO 3 FEET FROM THE OPEN FLAMES OF THE HOT WATER HEATER. I SHUTTER TO THINK WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED IF WE HAD LEFT THE VEHICLE WITH THE LEAKING FUEL AND FUMES, AND OPEN FLAMES FROM THE HOT WATER HEATER SHUTUP IN OUR GARAGE FOR 5 DAYS. NOT ONLY WOULD WE HAVE LOST OUR CAR, BUT QUITE POSSIBLY OUR HOME. *TR