NHTSA Complaint #711355 — 1992 BMW 325I

WHILE TRAVELING ON I-5, I NOTICED THAT THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE WAS INCREASING TO DANGEROUS LEVELS. UPON RETURNING TO THE SAN FRANCISCO AREA, I TOOK THE CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WATER PUMP HAD FAILED DUE TO THE BREAKAGE OF THE IMPELLER. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM IN THIS VINTAGE OF BMW SINCE THE MANUFACTURER HAD USED A PLASTIC IMPELLER IN THE WATER PUMP, RATHER THAN A METAL IMPELLER AS IS USUAL IN OTHER MODELS. THE MECHANIC RELATED THAT HE HAD PERFORMED ABOUT 25-30 IDENTICAL REPAIRS ON BMWS AND THAT THE PROBLEM WAS ALWAYS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE PLASTIC IMPELLER. I HAVE HAD THE WATER PUMP REPLACED WITH ANOTHER PUMP WITH A METAL IMPELLER, BUT THE EVENT COST ME $458 IN REPAIRS AND APPROXIMATELY $265 FOR A RENTAL CAR FOR THE REST OF THE TRIP, AS WELL AS ABOUT $150 IN UNNECESSARY HOTEL BILLS. I PLAN TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER TO REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT OF THESE COSTS, AS I FEEL THAT THE USE OF A PLASTIC IMPELLER OVER A METAL ONE IS A DEFECTIVE AND NEGLIGENT DESIGN. I STILL HAVE THE OLD WATER PUMP AND THE PLASTIC IMPELLER IN MY POSSESSION.