IllustrationWhile reversing into a parking space, the parking sensor system repeatedly indicated an obstacle on the left side of the vehicle even though no object was present. The system displayed a red warning on the left side and automatically applied the brakes very suddenly, causing the vehicle to jerk to a stop. I exited the vehicle to…
Read full complaint
While reversing into a parking space, the parking sensor system repeatedly indicated an obstacle on the left side of the vehicle even though no object was present. The system displayed a red warning on the left side and automatically applied the brakes very suddenly, causing the vehicle to jerk to a stop. I exited the vehicle to check the area and confirmed there was nothing on the ground or near the vehicle that would explain the warning. The surface was flat and clear. Because the system continued to detect a phantom obstacle on the left side, it repeatedly interfered with maneuvering the vehicle while reversing. During this situation the vehicle ultimately made contact with a pole behind the car, which I did not initially realize because the braking intervention was so abrupt. The parking sensor was damaged in the impact. The vehicle was inspected by a BMW dealership, and they stated diagnostics showed no malfunction prior to the collision, only that the sensor malfunctioned after the impact. However, this was not the first time the vehicle’s parking system has falsely detected an obstacle and locked the brakes while reversing, which raises concerns about the reliability of the parking-assist automatic braking feature. The sudden braking and false obstacle detection create a potential safety risk, particularly if the system unexpectedly stops the vehicle or interferes with maneuvering in tight spaces. I am reporting this incident so it can be investigated as a possible defect in the parking sensor or automatic braking system.