2014 BMW 650I XdriveRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

“The contact owns a 2014 BMW 650I. The contact stated that the front driver's side door failed to open as needed. The contact stated that the central locking system and key failed to unlock the doors. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had to exit the vehicle through the front passenger’s side door. Additionally, both doors became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuse was faulty. The number 14 and 15 fuses were blown. The fuses were replaced, and the vehicle repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, who informed him that additional diagnostic testing was needed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 99,465.”

“REGULARLY, PERHAPS EVERY 2 MONTHS, MY CAR'S AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM WILL ACTIVATE WITHOUT CAUSE. IT HAS ALWAYS HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY AND IT SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO WHEN I PASS A LARGE TRUCK. THE SYSTEM WILL TRIGGER, CAUSING A BEEPING NOISE AND AN IMAGE OF A CAR TO SHOW UP IN THE HEADS-UP DISPLAY. ABOUT HALF THE TIME, THE BRAKES WILL BE APPLIED VERY HARD. THIS SITUATION ONLY LASTS FOR PERHAPS A SECOND OR TWO AND THEN DISAPPEARS. THERE IS NEVER A CAR IN FRONT OF ME SO THERE IS NO THREAT AND NO REASON FOR THE SYSTEM TO TRIGGER. AS I MENTIONED, IT SEEMS LIKE THIS FALSE (OR PHANTOM) TRIGGER COINCIDES WITH PASSING A LARGE TRUCK. PART OF MY FRUSTRATION WITH THIS IS THAT WHEN I SPEAK WITH BMW SERVICE, THEY SAY THEY ARE UNAWARE OF ANY SUCH ISSUES WITH THE SYSTEM BUT THAT I'M WELCOME TO HAVE THEM REVIEW IT FOR SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS. SINCE I'M NOT CONFIDENT THAT THE MECHANICS AT MY LOCAL DEALER CAN OR WILL FIND ANY ISSUES WITH THE SYSTEM I DON'T WANT TO SIMPLY THROW AWAY THIS MONEY. I'M ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THESE NEW SAFETY SYSTEMS BUT THE MANUFACTURERS SHOULD SUPPORT THEM FOR PERHAPS 10 YEARS. THEY SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO INVESTIGATE FALSE TRIGGERS AND ALSO TO…”

“DURING ROUTINE SERVICE LAST MONTH, LOCAL BMW DEALER FOUND THE DRIVE SHAFT REAR GUIBO/FLEXIBLE DISC WAS CRACKING AND RECOMMENDED IMMEDIATE ACTION. IT'S THE SAME PROBLEM AS WAS RECALLED ON OTHER BMW MODELS (SEE RECALL CAMPAIGN 17V-067). I REPORTED IT TO BMW BUT BMW REFUSED TO TAKE ANY ACTION OR TO ASSIST. COST TO FIX IS ALMOST $1000. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT IF NOT FIXED, THE DRIVE SHAFT COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. YIKES! I BELIEVE BMW SHOULD FIX/RECALL THIS. THE ORIGINAL MSRP ON THIS CAR WAS OVER $103,000 - IN MY OPINION, THIS DEFECT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN ON SUCH A CAR, ESPECIALLY AT ONLY 57,000 MILES.”