NHTSA Complaint #11403480 — 2018 BMW X3

THE VEHICLE'S REAR LIFTGATE HAS OPENED RANDOMLY SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT NOTICE OR WITHOUT INPUT FROM THE USER. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, THE REAR LIFTGATE OPENED SUDDENLY. THIS IS CONCERNING BECAUSE IT WAS A BUSY PARKING LOT AND OUR DOG WAS IN THE CAR AND BEGAN TO JUMP OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND COULD HAVE JUMPED INTO MOVING TRAFFIC. ANOTHER INCIDENT OCCURRED IN OUR DRIVEWAY WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNLOCKED AND UNOCCUPIED. WE NOTICED THAT THE HATCH HAD OPENED BY ITSELF AT SOME POINT WITHOUT ANY INPUT FROM ANYONE. I DO NOT WANT TO WAIT FOR AN ADDITIONAL INCIDENT TO OCCUR WHICH COULD LEAD TO THE INJURY OR DEATH OF AN OCCUPANT, HUMAN OR OTHERWISE. OUR VEHICLE IS OUTFITTED WITH A FACTOR TOW HITCH SO WE BELIEVE THAT THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE THE CAPABILITY OF HANDS-FREE LIFTGATE OPENING WITH A 'KICK' MOTION. WE DO NOT KNOW IF THE SENSORS FOR THIS FEATURE ARE STILL INSTALLED BUT DISABLED AND/OR IF THEY BECAME ENABLED BY MISTAKE THROUGH A SOFTWARE UPDATE AT THE DEALERSHIP.