NHTSA Complaint #10758905 — 2008 BMW 3 SERIES

CAR WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, DROVE IT EARLIER THAT DAY FOR ABOUT AN HOUR, PARKED IT 3PM AND 2 HOURS LATER NEIGHBOR CAME KNOCKING SAYING CAR WAS SMOKING. RAN OUTSIDE AND CAR WAS ON FIRE. INTERIOR WAS SMOKED OUT. KEYLESS ENTRY WAS DEAD. BROKE THE WINDOW TO GET THE CAR OPEN, TURNED THE GARDEN HOSE ON TO TRY AND STOP THE CAR FROM BURNING. CALLED 911 FIRE DEPT ARRIVED AND HAD TO PRY THE TRUCK OPEN BECAUSE IT WAS STILL SIZZLING. FIRE DEPT CUT THE BATTERY CABLES AND SAID IT LOOKED LIKE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE UNDER THE DASH. GLOVE BOX AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT WAS COMPLETELY CHARRED. AFTER 22 DAYS, A BMW ENGINEER AND ALLSTATE INS CALLED IT A TOTAL LOSS. BMW ENGINEERS REPORT STILL HAS NOT BEEN PUBLISHED. TOTAL LOSS ON A PARKED VEHICLE; CLEARLY THIS VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE AND A DESIGN FAULT. MANUFACTURERS ARE SUPPOSE TO ENGINEER CARS TO WITHSTAND FIRES.