NHTSA Complaint #11447376 — 2013 BMW 528XI

While driving with my children, the u-joint on my BMW 528xi failed, causing the driveshaft to break. There was no warning lights or other system indicators. Because the car was moving, the driveshaft continued to spin, smashing the oil and pan and other components in the car. Thankfully I was driving on a side street and not on a Highway, because I would imagine there could have been injury if this occurred at higher speeds. BMW confirmed that the u-joint failed upon inspection. My personal mechanic said that a driveshaft and u-joint is not a maintenance item and that it should not fail if properly designed and manufactured. I have since learned that BMW recalled this exact component on certain other 5 series and X5 models during the same years, but not my model.