NHTSA Complaint #11083085 — 2007 BMW 328I

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2007 BMW 328I. WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 75 MPH AND THE HEATER AT 70 DEGREES, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE AND A FLASH OF LIGHT UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTED THE GEAR TO THE PARK POSITION. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT SMELLED SMOKE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. UPON EXITING AND RE-ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE CABIN FILLED UP WITH SMOKE AND SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TOW FACILITY. THE CONTACT CALLED BMW OF CONCORD (1967 MARKET ST, CONCORD, CA 94520), BUT NO FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS WERE PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.