NHTSA Complaint #11109988 — 2014 BMW 535D

I WAS DRIVING ON A FREEWAY IN CA, THE ENGINE STALLED SUDDENLY, AND TRANSMISSION WENT INTO TO PARK WHILEI WAS IN TRAFFIC. THERE IS NO WAY TO OVERRIDE THE ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION FROM IN THE CAR; ONLY WAY TO GET IT INTO NEUTRAL IS FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE (NOT ACCESSIBLE UNLESS ON A LIFT AND NOT POSSIBLE ON A BUSY FREEWAY). THIS IS A SHOCKINGLY BAD DESIGN AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I WAS A "DEAD DUCK" IN TRAFFIC. FINALLY FOUND A FLATBED WHO COULD PLACE THE REAR WHEELS ON A DOLLY AND PUT THE CAR UP ON A FLATBED (THIS WAS THE 4TH TOWING COMPANY...THE FIRST THREE DECLINED AND/OR DIDN'T HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO MOVE IT). ULTIMATELY BMW REPLACED THE ENTIRE DIESEL FUEL SYSTEM IN THE CAR, A KNOWN ISSUE I UNDERSTAND, BUT I AM STILL HAUNTED BY THE DANGEROUS PREDICAMENT THAT I FOUND MYSELF IN ON A SUNDAY EVENING 75 MILES FROM HOME. I AM A CAR BUFF AND KNEW TO LOOK FOR THE TRANSMISSION OVERRIDE. MANUFACTURERS TYPICALLY PLACE IT IN AND AROUND THE SHIFTER. I WAS SHOCKED TO DISCOVER THAT BMW DIDN'T HAVE ONE INSIDE THE CAR. THIS LEFT ME AS A REAL SITTING DUCK. IT WAS DANGEROUS FOR ME; IT WAS DANGEROUS FOR EVERYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD THAT EVENING WITH ME.