An investigation into a potential electronic glitch doesn't mean that a safety defect will be found.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened a preliminary engineering investigation on 120,000 2002-2008 7-Series models because of one complaint of a BMW defect.
The Office of Defects Investigation said in a regulatory filing today that it has received a complaint from a consumer alleging a rollaway incident with a model year 2006 BMW 7-Series vehicle after parking and exiting the vehicle.
The BMW defect complaint vehicle was equipped with BMW’s Comfort Access electronic access and ignition system and an electronic transmission shifter with the gear selector mounted on the steering column. The filing said that the shifter is designed to automatically shift the vehicle to Park under a variety of conditions, including after the driver has pressed the ignition button to turn the engine off.
Early Warning Reporting data submitted to ODI by BMW include field reports describing additional rollaway incidents in similarly equipped MY 2002 through 2008 BMW 7-Series vehicles.
“Thus far, no cause has been identified for any of the rollaway incidents. A Preliminary Evaluation has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and causes of rollaway incidents in the subject vehicles,” NHTSA said.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
