NHTSA Complaint #11024162 — 2011 BMW X5

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW X5. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A RED LIGHT, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE ABS AND FOUR WHEEL TRACTION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, "TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION" DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND HAD TO BE MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND LOOKED UNDERNEATH, AND NOTICED OIL ALL OVER THE ROAD. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED A U-SHAPED PIECE STICKING OUT OF THE UNDER CARRIAGE SHIELD. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS ON AN INCLINE AND CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED, THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DISENGAGE THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE AND HAD TO CUT THE CABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BMW OF ARLINGTON IN ARLINGTON, TEXAS WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION, FRONT DRIVE SHAFT, AND ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT AND TRANSMISSION WERE GOING TO BE REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL, BUT THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT GOING TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.