NHTSA Complaint #11103478 — 2014 BMW I3

WHEN THE VEHICLE ENTERS A 'FAULT' MODE, SUCH AS DRIVE MOTOR MALFUNCTION, THE CARS DISCONTINUES POWER TO THE DRIVE MOTOR, ALLOWS THE VEHICLE TO ROLL TO A STOP, THEN ELECTRONICALLY PUTS THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK. AS LONG AS THE FAULT CODE EXISTS THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE PUSHED OR TOWED OUT OF HARMS WAY. I WAS ABOUT TO TURN ON TO A VERY BUSY 3-LANE [NO SHOULDER] HIGHWAY WHEN IT SHUT DOWN. NOT EVEN THE POLICE COULD ASSIST ME IN PUSHING IT OUT OF THE INTERSECTION. HAS I TURNED AND STARTED DOWN THAT ROAD AND THE VEHICLE THEN GONE INTO FAULT MODE, I WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT WITH A MATTER OF MINUTES.NO OTHER VEHICLE I KNOW OF DOES NOT LET THE OWNER PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND PUSH IT OFF TO THE SIDE OUR OUT OF HARMS WAY. THIS IS AN ALL ELECTRIC CAR SO THE DEALER SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE A SIMPLE PROGRAMMING CHANGE. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALER, HE REFERRED ME TO BMW NORTH AMERICA. I TALKED TO THEM AT LENGTH ON THE PHONE AND THEY HAVE NO WAY OF PASSING ON MY CONCERNS TO THE MANUFACTURER (BMW GERMANY).