NHTSA Complaint #11710856 — 2017 BMW 440I

Took 2017 BMW 440i in for annual state inspection and maintenance. During inspection, service tech noticed that the plastic clip that holds the emergency brake lines in place had failed and needed to be replaced to prevent damage to the emergency brake cables. Service tech replaced the plastic clip with a metal bolt. My service advisor stated that a plastic clip should have never replaced a metal bolt that is used to protect the emergency brake cables. Have owned BMW’s since 1990 and numerous vehicles since 1968 when I obtained my driver’s license. Paid $804.47 to replace a plastic clip that would have cost nothing if a metal bolt had been used to start with. If the brake lines get damaged because the clip fails, you have no brakes on the vehicle. Spoke with BMW customer service and they said since the clip failed after the warranty period they would not reimburse the repair even though replacing a metal bolt on an emergency brake cable would prevent failure. A car that is garaged and only has 13,263 miles on it should not experience this type of failure. How many vehicles are on the road with failing plastic clips that allow brake lines to fail because a manufacturer decided to save money by taking a proven metal bolt and replacing it with plastic that fails with age.