2018 BMW X3

The contact owns a 2018 BMW X3. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, there were several unknown warning lights illuminated on the instrument cluster. The contact stated that the rear and side view cameras were disabled, and the Forward Collision Avoidance system was disabled. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed and it was determined that the steering wheel torque sensors had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

First Failure 3/22- Vehicle makes clanking/rattling of metal sound when going over bumps. Sound is felt near driver caliper and rattles. Can be felt in steering. 4/22 Vehicle is taken to BMW for inspection; needed to come back as they couldn't figure it out. 5/22 Vehicle sound is replicated by BMW dealer service center. I have not received any warning messages or lights prior. Current lights that stay lit longer than usual are the assisted driving and the hazard. This has been since the power failure however. Vehicle has been out of service for a collective 150+ days this year. No remedy to to issue. 11/22 Car broke down again on the highway; extreme shaking, bouncing, loose and uncontrolled steering. 12/22 Car back in service and immediate rattle under front driver's side, loose steering and wobbly tires. Electrical failure, no start and all dash lights glowing. (possible battery issue). 1/23 Car is back to BMW for further inspection. No information yet I believe safety and others is at risk because there have been two times that I was driving and the car felt that is was not controllable. The BMW service center has had it in their garage 5 occasions without remedy. One certified mechanic has been unable to diagnose as well. Parts repaired: Struts, Guides, Swing Arm/Sway, Both front lower control arms, tires and drivers side CV axle.

I WAS PARKING WHEN I TOTALLY LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR. I COULD NOT STEER IT AND I COULD NOT BREAK. I WENT LEFT WHILE I WAS ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE BUT I HAD NO BRAKES. I ATTEMPTED TO GO STRAIGHT AND HIT ONE PARKED CAR. THEN I WENT RIGHT AND DAMAGED ANOTHER CAR THEN THE CAR HIT A 3 CAR. THEN THE CAR STOPPED. I RECEIVE A BMW ASSIST MESSAGE REGARDING HAVING AN ACCIDENT THEN THE SCREEN WENT DEAD. I WAS PARKING MY CAR. FEW WEEKS BEFORE I RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE: CHASSIS STABILIZATION PROBLEMS. YOU CAN CONTINUE DRIVING BUT TAKE YOUR CAR TO THE DEALER ( SOMETHING LIKE THAT). I STOPPED THE CAR AND THE MESSAGE WENT AWAY. NEVER CAME BACK. SO I WAS PLANNING TO TALK ABOUT IT TO THE DEALER WHEN GOING FOR THE NEXT APPOINTMENT. I WAS PARKING IN A PLACE I KNOW VERY WELL, HISPITAL PARKING.

BMW 2018 X3 STEERING WHEEL ***WENT OUT OF CONTROL*** FOR UNKNOWN REASON AND TOOK OVER MY DRIVING ON HWY 84 WHEN I WAS GOING ABOUT 62 MILES, IT GEARED TO LEFT ON ITS OWN. THE CAR EVENTUALLY HIT CENTER DIVIDER DURING THE COURSE OF TRYING TO AVOID OTHERWISE POSSIBLY SEVERE COLLISION. X3 ENTIRE LEFT SIDE DAMAGED, CALLED 911, CAR TOWED. CONTACTED BMW NA AND LOCAL DEALER IN FREMONT CALIFORNIA, CAR TESTED, REPORTED BACK WITH NO PROBLEM. BMW OFFERED NO EXPLANATION OF WHY IT HAPPENED. NOR DID ANY REMEDY OFFERED FOR CAR DAMAGE, ESTIMATED REPAIR COST OF $13000, ASIDE FROM STRESS CAUSED AFTER SUCH A TRAUMATIZING INCIDENT. THE BLACK BOX WHICH SUPPOSED TO RECORD CAR ACTUAL STATUS, BMW REPLIED FOUND NO ERROR CODE. I BELIEVE THERE WERE MANUFACTURE DEFECTS BECAUSE THE X3 WENT THRU ONE RECALL AND THEN TRUNK POP OPENED ON ITS OWN, SENT IN AGAIN FOR SERVICE TO REPAIR. SOON AFTER, THE STEERING WHEEL WENT OUT OF CONTROL. IT'S SUCH AN OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT PEOPLE MIGHT LOSE LIFES ON IT. IT'S BEEN OVER 9 MONTHS AND TILL NOW, WE STILL DON'T KNOW HOW IT HAPPENED AND WHAT'D TRIGGER IT TO LOSE CONTROL IN THE FUTURE. IT'S DIFFICULT FOR AN INDIVIDUAL TO OBTAIN JUSTICE FROM SUCH A BIG CORPORATION. GRATEFUL THAT I'M ALIVE AND HAVE A CHANCE TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT SO THIS INCIDENT HAS A CHANCE TO BE NOTICED OR BE FURTHER INVESTIGATED.

2018 BMW X3 M40I: UPON START UP THE VEHICLE DISPLAYS A WARNING 'SEATBELT RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION.' THE CAR THE ENTERS A LIMP MODE AND SAYS TO DRIVE TO THE NEAREST BMW SERVICE CENTER AND THAT SOME SAFETY FEATURES ARE UNAVAILABLE. POWER ASSIST STEERING NO LONGER WORKS, AND THE VEHICLE DEFAULTS TO 4WD MODE. ADDITIONALLY, IT FURTHER STATES AIRBAG FUNCTIONALITY IS LIMITED, AND CRASH AVOIDANCE IS UNAVAILABLE, BUT THAT DRIVING IS STILL POSSIBLE! WHAT'S DISTURBING IS THAT I DISCOVERED THAT MANY OTHER LATE MODEL BMW OWNERS ARE REPORTING THIS SAME ISSUE. THE FEW THAT HAVE HAD IT RESOLVED SAID IT'S A SENSOR FAILURE IN ONE OF THE FRONT SEATS. THIS SENSOR IS TIED TO THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM AND THE AIRBAG. BMW SERVICE CENTER HAS ATTEMPTED TO FIX THIS MALFUNCTION ON MY X3 ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WITHOUT SUCCESS. I AM WORRIED THAT MY AIRBAGS OR SEATBELT WILL FAIL IN A COLLISION.