NHTSA Complaint #11155147 — 2006 BMW 3 SERIES

FUEL LEAK COMING FROM THE FUEL FILTER / FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, LOCATED INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. THE PLASTIC COVER WHERE THE PRESURRED FUEL LINE IS CONNECTED CRACKS CAUSING THE FUEL TO LEAK. I NOTICED THE ISSUE DUE TO A STRONG FUEL SMELL COMMING FROM THE LEFT REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I FOLLOWED THE SMELL AND IT TOOK ME TO THE FUEL TANK ACCESS UNDER THE REAR SEAT ON THE LEFT (DRIVER) SIDE. THAT IS WHERE I NOTICED FUEL ACCUMULATION OUTSIDE THE TANK. THEN I PROCEED TO START THE ENGINE AND CLEARLY NOTICED THE FUEL LEAKING FROM AN SMALL CRACK ON THE FILTER (NOT THE FUEL LINE). I STARTED A RESEARCH ON THE SUBJECT AND I FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINS ABOUT THIS ISSUE INCLUDING VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE ON MANY BMW MODELS. ALSO FOUND THERE IS AN ACTIVE SAFETY RECALL FOR SOME VW MODELS WITH THE SAME SITUATION. THE PARTS FROM BOTH VEHICLE BRANDS ARE PRETTY SIMILAR AND THE PARTS ARE FROM THE SAME SUPPLIER (VDO). I JUST NEED YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THIS AS A SAFETY CONCERN BEFORE VEHICLES START CATCHING FIRE. THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION ON THIS MATTER. SORRY FOR NOT HAVING PICTURES, JUST GOOGLE IT AND YOU WILL SEE IT.