NHTSA Complaint #10650370 — 2004 BMW 330I

DURING A 2-CAR COLLISION AT APPROXIMATELY 30MPH, THE FOLD-DOWN SEAT LATCHES FAILED TO KEEP THE REAR SEAT BACKS FROM OPENING, AND FOUR SCUBA TANKS CAME INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AS A RESULT. FORTUNATELY, THE REAR SEAT WAS UNOCCUPIED AND THE TANKS STAYED IN THE REAR OF THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, SO NO INJURY RESULTED FROM THIS INCURSION INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, BUT THIS IS NONETHELESS A SERIOUS SAFETY FLAW. THIS VEHICLE WAS STRUCK FROM THE LEFT SIDE JUST BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE, AND THE CONTACT WITH THE CAR STRIKING IT TRAVELED REARWARD FROM THAT FIRST POINT OF IMPACT, TRAVERSING THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND A SMALL PART OF THE REAR DOOR (UNDER THE B-PILLAR) BEFORE THE CARS SEPARATED. THIS VEHICLE WAS UNDER HEAVY BRAKING AT THE TIME OF THE COLLISION, AND REMAINED UNDER HEAVY BRAKING (ABS FULLY ENGAGED) UNTIL THE CARS SEPARATED AND THIS ONE CAME TO A STOP. *TR