NHTSA Complaint #10934867 — 2016 BMW X5

THE ATTORN. GEN OF FL SUGGESTED I REACH OUT TO YOU TO EXPRESS A CONCERN I HAVE FOR OUR X5 EDRIVE. WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE AT REEVES BMW IN TAMPA. SINCE WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE, IT HAS BEEN A MAJOR ISSUE AND NOW THAT WE HAVE A NEWBORN, IT HAS BECOME A SAFETY CONCERN OF OURS THAT THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY SHUTS OFF WHEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR OPENS. NOT ONLY CAN WE NOT PRE-CONDITION THE CAR WHEN WE ARE TRYING TO PUT HIM IN THE CAR SEAT, BUT ANYTIME WE GET OUT TO GRAB SOMETHING, IT LEAVES HIM WITH NO A/C AND IN WINTER THE HEAT WILL SHUT DOWN. I ALSO CANNOT SIT IN THE CAR WITH MY CHILD AND WAIT FOR MY HUSBAND TO COME OUTSIDE OR IF WE ARE AWAY FROM HOME AND HE HAS TO RUN IN SOMEWHERE, THE CAR SHUTS OFF AND WE ARE LEFT IN THE HEAT. WE LIVE IN FLORIDA AND IT IS DANGEROUSLY HOT WHEN A CAR IS NOT AIR-CONDITIONED. I LITERALLY HAVE TO CRAWL FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND EXIT ANOTHER DOOR, IF I WANT TO KEEP THE AIR ON, OR I HAVE TO CRAWL INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT, IF I AM A PASSENGER. WE CAN'T EVEN TURN ON THE CAR TO COOL IT OFF BEFORE WE LEAVE THE HOUSE OR ANOTHER DESTINATION, BECAUSE THE CAR SHUTS OFF IF YOU ARE NOT IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE MOST DANGEROUS THING, IS THAT IF YOU GET OUT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE, THE CAR REMAINS ON IN ALL OTHER ASPECTS (RADIO, LIGHTS, ETC.) AND APPEARS TO BE RUNNING. THIS MAY CONFUSE SOMEONE TO THINK THE CAR IS SAFE AND THE AC OR HEAT IS RUNNING. I BELIEVE THIS MAY CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT WITH THIS OR EVEN A DEATH, IF ALL CUSTOMERS ARE NOT EDUCATED. THERE IS A PRE-CONDITION FEATURE THE CAR HAS, BUT IT ONLY WORKS IF IT IS CHARGED ENOUGH. ANYTIME WE ARE NOT AT HOME OR WITH ENOUGH BATTERY (WHICH IS OFTEN), WE DO NOT HAVE THIS OPTION AND IT IS VERY INCONVENIENT AND DANGEROUS. IN MY OPINION IT SHOULD BE A 'SAFETY RECALL', SO NO ONE IS HURT FROM EITHER EXTREME HEAT OR COLD CONDITIONS, WHEN THE CAR FAILS.