NHTSA Complaint #11684596 — 2024 BMW I4

Summary of the Problem: While driving my leased BMW i4 M50 on the highway on [XXX], the rear passenger tire suddenly exploded without any prior warning or impact. This caused me to lose control briefly and nearly resulted in a serious accident. I was forced to pull over in unsafe conditions on a busy roadway. Details of the Incident: The tire failed suddenly while traveling at highway speed. No pothole, debris, or curb impact occurred prior to the blowout. I contacted BMW Roadside Assistance immediately, but was told it would take at least two hours before anyone could arrive, leaving me stranded in a dangerous location. The vehicle was towed the next day, [XXX], to BMW of Sacramento. The service department dismissed the issue and told me it was not their problem, refused to cover the tire failure, and even told me to go rent a car from Enterprise instead of providing a loaner. Safety Concern: This is a new EV leased vehicle and the sudden tire failure presented a serious safety hazard. A tire blowout at highway speeds could easily have caused a crash with severe injuries. The lack of immediate roadside support further increased the danger. The dismissive response from the dealership raises concerns about whether BMW is properly addressing potential tire or component defects in this vehicle. Action Requested: I am reporting this incident because I believe this may represent a defect or safety issue that warrants investigation. A sudden tire explosion on a new BMW EV, combined with BMW’s inadequate safety support, puts drivers and the public at significant risk. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)