NHTSA Complaint #769078 — 2002 BMW M3

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE issue reported to NHTSA

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Vehicle Towed

Complaint Details

ODI Number 769078
Vehicle 2002 BMW M3
Component ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
Date of Incident
Date Filed
Mileage N/A miles
Crash No
Fire No
Injuries 0
Deaths 0
Vehicle Towed Yes
State CA

Consumer Description

CRANKSHAFT BEARINGS ARE STARVED OF ENGINE OIL CAUSING A SERIES OF CHAIN REACTIONS THAT ULTIMATELY BLOWS THE ENGINE, CAUSING ENGINE OIL TO SPILL EVERYWHERE AND FORM THICK CLOUDS OF SMOKE FROM EVAPORATED ENGINE OIL TO COME OUT OF THE CAR, HINDERING THE VIEW OF OTHERS BEHIND, AND CREATING A DANGERIOUSLY SLIPPERY SURFACE. THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF, CAUSING VERY POSSIBLE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS THAT ARE TOO SPECULATIVE AND MANY TO LIST. THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN OBSERVED ON VEHICLES PRODUCED WITHIN OCTOBER OF 2001 TO FEBURARY 2002. BMW REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AS A DEFECT REPEATEDLY BLAMES THE CONSUMER. SIMPLY REPLACING THE ENGINE(WHICH IS WHAT BMW DOES) IS NOT ACCEPTABLE, DUE TO INEVITABLE LOSS OF VALUE FROM SUCH A DISASTEROUS FAILURE. FURTHERMORE, MANY HAVE PAYED MORE THAN $60,000 FOR THE CAR, EXCLUDING THE PREMIUM OF $2500-$15000 EXTRA DEPENDING ON DEALERSHIP. BMW ALSO DOES NOT PROVIDE PEOPLE WITH THIS FAILURE PROBLEM WITH ANY FORM OF COMPENSATORY ACTIONS, SUCH AS LOANER CARS FOR PERIODS AS LONG AS 2-6 WEEKS.(THE ESTIMATED TIME IT TAKES TO FIX THE PROBLEM) DT

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