2016 BMW M4

I am writing to report a critical structural safety defect involving the front steering knuckle (wheel carrier) on my 2016 BMW M4 GTS. Upon inspection, the original factory steering knuckle has developed severe structural cracks on both the top and bottom sections of the component. Safety Risk & Hazard:The steering knuckle is a primary load-bearing suspension component responsible for securing the front wheel assembly, brakes, and steering linkage. Because this vehicle has developed cracks on both the top and bottom of the knuckle, it is at imminent risk of total catastrophic failure. A complete fracture of this component will result in immediate wheel detachment, total loss of steering control, and a severe high-speed crash. This presents an extreme and immediate safety hazard to myself, my passengers, and other drivers on the road. Manufacturer Awareness:BMW is fully aware of this inherent structural flaw. The original component (Part #31-21-2-289-301 / #31-21-2-289-302) has been quietly superseded by a completely redesigned, reinforced "v2" revised part to mitigate this exact cracking issue. Despite knowing that the original components are prone to dangerous fatigue and cracking under stress, BMW has not issued a safety recall to replace these defective first-generation knuckles on a vehicle explicitly marketed and sold for track-oriented performance. Action Requested:I request that the NHTSA immediately initiate a safety defect investigation into the first-generation BMW M4 GTS steering knuckles before a catastrophic failure results in a fatal accident. Furthermore, I request that BMW cover the immediate replacement of these defective components with the revised, structurally sound v2 parts at zero cost to the owner.

The contact owns a 2016 BMW M4. The contact stated that under previous ownership, the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign: 15V782000 (Power Train) at a local dealer. The contact stated that two years later, the contact was unsure if the vehicle was included or repaired under NHTSA Campaign: 18V713000 (Power Train). The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle shuddered abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an independent dealer, where it was diagnosed with an imbalanced drive shaft. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired due to the costs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

THE BILLET ALUMINUM STEERING KNUCKLES/STEERING CARRIERS ARE CRACKED AT ONE OF TWO BOLT POINTS CAUSING A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN. THIS IS A KNOWN MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND BMW SUBSEQUENTLY CHANGED THE DESIGN OF THE REPLACEMENT PART. THIS BILLET ALUMINUM PART IS SPECIFIC TO THE 2016 BMW M4 GTS, A LIMITED EDITION BMW M4. APPROXIMATELY 800 M4 GTS'S WERE EVER BUILT AND THESE PARTS ARE FAILING AT ALL MILEAGE VALUES. THIS ISSUE IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON BIMMERPOST.COM FROM SEVERAL OWNERS. BMW WILL NOT COVER THE COST TO REPLACE IF THE VEHICLE IS OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY, REGARDLESS OF THE MILEAGE; MINE HAS 6,500 MILES. IF THE SECOND BOLT FAILS, THE COMPONENT WILL NO LONGER BE ATTACHED TO THE STRUT AND CAUSE CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, PERSONAL INJURY AND POTENTIALLY DEATH. I NOTIFIED BMW AND THEY DENIED THE CLAIM AFTER 4 WEEKS OF REVIEW WITHOUT ANY REASON.

DIAGNOSED WITH COOLING SYSTEM ISSUE, 2ND COOLING SYSTEM DRY/LOW OR LEAKING, TRANSMISSION ISSUE, CODE 537, POWER TRAIN ISSUE, CAR IS QUICK SHIFTING AND SKIPPING FROM 5TH TO 7TH GEAR WITH A BUZZING SOUND, AND WITHOUT A DROP IN POWER. THE CAR ONLY HAS 48,000 MILES. WE BOUGHT THIS CAR 5 MONTHS AGO FROM A MERCEDES BENZ DEALERSHIP IN TYLER, TEXAS. IT SHOWS ON THIS SIGHT THAT THERE'S 3 RECALLS.

BMW IS AWARE OF A CRACK DEVELOPING IN A FRONT SUSPENSION CARRIER (ONE EACH LOCATED ON BOTH THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE - TWO TOTAL). BMW HAD TO REPLACE MY PASSENGER SIDE CARRIER UNDER WARRANTY. WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE, THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN DETECTED A HAIRLINE CRACK AND ORDERED THE REPLACEMENT PART FROM GERMANY. I DID NOT ASK FOR THE PART TO BE INSPECTED; IT SEEMS THAT BMW HAS INSTRUCTED ITS SERVICE CENTERS TO INSPECT VEHICLES FOR THIS PARTICULAR FAILURE. I ASKED THE SERVICE CENTER TO PROACTIVELY REPLACE THE DRIVER'S SIDE CARRIER, TOO. THEY REFUSED TO DO SO. THE ISSUE WITH CRACKS DEVELOPING IN THE FRONT TWO CARRIERS IS WELL DOCUMENTED (SEE, FOR EXAMPLE: HTTPS://F80.BIMMERPOST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=1550724). I HAVE ATTACHED A COPY OF THE SERVICE RECORD SHOWING REPLACEMENT OF MY PASSENGER SIDE CARRIER. I HAVE ALSO ATTACHED TWO IMAGES SHOWING CRACKS ON THE PART FROM THE LINK PROVIDED ABOVE. I BELIEVE THAT BMW SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REPLACE THE CARRIERS ON ALL CARS GIVEN THE POSSIBILITY OF FAILURE AND THE KNOWN FAILURE FREQUENCY.