NHTSA Complaint #10643518 — 2012 BMW X5 SAV

I AM A CERTIFIED FIRE INVESTIGATOR WITH VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU, I RECEIVED THIS LOSS 08/14/14. INSURED STATED THAT ON 08/13/14 HE WAS IN HIS HOUSE AND HEARD THE CAR ALARM TO THIS BMW (DIESEL) SAV X5 GOING OFF. HE LOOKED OUTSIDE AND SAW THE LIGHTS FLASHING AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS GOING. NO ONE WAS IN THE VEHICLE. HE WENT OUTSIDE AND SAW SMOKE AND FIRE IN THE DASH AREA, PASSENGER SIDE. HE CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE WAS QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED, BUT CAUSED MAJOR FIRE DAMAGE TO THE DASH AREA. BMW REPRESENTATIVE AND AN ENGINEER HIRED BY OUR COMPANY (FORCON INTERNATIONAL) CONDUCTED A JOINT INSPECTION. THE FIRE DAMAGE WAS AGAIN LOCALIZED TO THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH AREA. IT WAS DETERMINED THE FIRE WAS THE CAUSE OF SOME TYPE OF ELECTRICAL ISSUE. BMW DENIED IT WAS THEIR FAULT STATING THERE WAS TOO MUCH DAMAGE FOR THEM TO ACCEPT LIABILITY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SHRINK WRAPPED FOR FUTURE INSPECTION AND IS CURRENTLY BEING STORED IN A LOCKED FACILITY IN RICHMOND, VA. THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, THERE WAS NOTHING ADDED ON TO THE VEHICLE BY THE OWNER, IT WAS ALL FACTORY INSTALLED. PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE AND THE OWNER WOULD BE MORE THAN WILLING TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE WITH NHTSA IF NECESSARY. *TR