NHTSA Complaint #11495571 — 2023 BMW 330E

This is to report an incident with a recently purchased 2023 BMW 330e. Model: BMW | Make: 330e | Color: white Purchase: 17th Sep, 2022 | Dealer: BMW of San Antonio Incident date: 17th November, 2022 | Time: 9AM (approx) | Place: Parking Garage, MD Anderson Blvd, Houston, TX 77030 Incident description: When turning in to park in the parking spot in the garage, the car suddenly shot forward and hit the barrier in front. Airbags did not deploy, although the impact was strong enough to throw the driver hard against her seat belt with slight bruising. The driver does not recall the front proximity sensors giving any warning beeps (as normally happens if the car is too close to a barrier). Damage: The front of the car on the driver's side sustained significant damage, including the proximity sensor on the driver's side becoming non-functional. The engine warning light did not come on, and the car was driveable. Aftermath: The incident was reported to insurance. The car has now been assessed by certified collision specialists repair. Comments: The driver has been driving for over 20 years (12 years in the USA) with an exemplary driving record. She has been parking in the same garage for the last 2 years. It is, of course, entirely possible that she mistakenly pressed the accelerator instead of the brake when turning in to park, but it would be unusual, and perhaps unlikely. Also, the amount of damage to the front is testimony to the speed with which the car hit the barrier, when the driver was driving dead slow, maneuvering between cars to edge forward in a parking spot. If the incident is due to a malfunction, it raises the possibility of danger for future drivers. We report this just in case it is - if others report similar issues with this make/ model of the car, perhaps preventive measures can be taken before somebody gets seriously injured.