NHTSA Complaint #10907470 — 2016 BMW 328XI

INCIDENT DATE: 9/18 LOCATION: NEW YORK STATE VEHICLE MILEAGE: 15,000 VEHICLE ACTION: ENTERING & ACCELERATING ON HIGHWAY DESCRIPTION: AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1.5HRS OF DRIVING, ON THE WAY HOME FROM A WEDDING IN RURAL NEW YORK, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, SIGNIFICANT ENGINE VIBRATION AND A WARNING MESSAGE WHICH DISPLAYED "DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION" WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ENTER AND ACCELERATE ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS REQUIRED IMMEDIATE ACTION TO ASSESS THE SITUATION AND MAKE A SAFE EXIT FROM THE HIGHWAY. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AT THE TIME WERE LIGHT, OTHERWISE THIS COULD HAVE EASILY RESULTED IN A SIGNIFICANT ACCIDENT LEADING TO SIGNIFICANT PROPERTY DAMAGE OR PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH. TEMPORARY FIX: ONCE SAFELY ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, I CONTACTED BMW ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THEY ADVISED ME TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF WHILE DISCUSSING OPTIONS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED. AFTER 5-10 MINUTES ON THE PHONE, WITHOUT A GOOD SOLUTION (GIVEN THE RURAL LOCATION AND DAY OF THE WEEK), I DECIDED TO RESTART THE CAR. UPON RESTART, THE VEHICLE TURNED OVER SUCCESSFULLY AND DID NOT INDICATE AN ERROR. I DECIDED TO ATTEMPT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, WHICH MADE IT THE BALANCE OF THE 4+ HOUR TRIP WITHOUT INCIDENT. UPON THE OPEN OF BUSINESS ON MONDAY 9/19, I INTEND TO CONTACT MY LOCAL BMW SERVICE CENTER TO HAVE THE CAR DIAGNOSED IMMEDIATELY.