2010 BMW 535XI, CAUGHT FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS ONLY BEEN MAINTAINED AT BMW DEALERSHIP, AND CURRENT ON ALL INSPECTIONS, REPAIRS, AND MAINTENANCE. FIRE OCCURRED IN DUNCAN DOUGHNUTS DRIVE THROUGH, SLIGHT SMELL OF SMOKE WHILE AT DRIVE THROUGH LINE. WHILE RECEIVING FOOD AT WINDOW LESS THAN A MINUTE OR TWO LATER, AND WHILE IN PARK. FLAMES SHOT THROUGH HOOD AT MIDDLE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT BY WINDSHIELD AND REAR 1/3 OF THE MIDDLE OF THE HOOD WITH INTENSE SMOKE. IMMEDIATEL REACTION WAS TO PUT IN DRIVE AND MOVED FOREWORD TO GET AWAY FROM BUILDING TO GET OUT OF DOOR AS ENGINE DIED, WE SCRAMBLED OUT OF VEHICLE. 2 EMPLOYEES IMMEDIATELY ASSISTED WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHERS, BUT ENGINE COMPARTMENT QUICKLY ENGULFED 1ST IN THE MIDDLE HOOD THEN LEFT HOOD AND EVENTUALLY THROUGH THE WHEELWELL. I HAVE ALL SERVICE RECORDS, AND HAVE HAD ALL REQUIRED REPAIRS, RECALLS AND MAINTENANCE PERFORMED EXCLUSIVELY AT BMW DEALERSHIP. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NOT JUST CATCH FIRE AND BURN FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND WITHOUT AND WARNING LIGHTS OR INDICATORS. CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE HERE THAT REQUIRES FURTHER INVESTIGATION. I'M REALLY LUCKY THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND THAT THE CAR WAS STATIONARY AND NOT IN MY GARAGE, OR GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. GLAD THAT I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY FROM THE BUILDING FAR ENOUGH TO PREVENT IT FROM CATCHING ON FIRE ALSO AND CAUSING ADDITIONAL PROPERTY DAMAGE. THIS 2010 BMW 535XI HAS ADMITTEDLY BEEN A FREQUENT FLIER AT THE BMW DEALERSHIP. IT HAS HAD THE VALVE COVERS REPLACED, CV JOINT REPLACED, , VANOS SOLENOID VALVES REPLACED, SHAFT SEAL REPLACED, REAR DIFFERENTIAL REPLACED, COOLANT PUMP REPLACED, OIL FILTER HOUSING REPLACED, FUEL INJECTORS REPLACED TWICE, BULB HOLDERS REPLACED, SIDE LIGHTS REPLACED, REPROGRAMMED ECT.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10985883 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

AFTER HITTING A BUMP WHEN ENTERING A DRIVEWAY, WATER SPILLED IN THE REAR CARGO AREA OF THE STATION WAGON, WATER DRAINED INTO SPARE TIRE WHEEL WELL WHERE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULES RESIDE SHORTING OUT MOST MAJOR CONTROLS-ANTI LOCK BRAKES, LOAD LEVELING, TRANSMISSION, TRACTION CONTROL, ETC. IT IS THE LOWEST POINT OF THE CAR'S INTERIOR. *TR

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10567488 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING BMW 535 XI 2010 MODEL AND VIN NUMBER IS [XXX] ON HIGHWAY SUDDENLY "BATTERY MALFUNCTION" SHOWED; SHE WANT TO TAKES CAR ON SHOULDER BUT STEERING STOPPED WORKING. FINALLY SHE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR IN ONE OF REPAIR SHOP. REPAIR SHOP TOLD THE BELT TIED WITH STEERING WAS JAMMED AND IN BROKEN CONDITION. IT WAS LIFE THREAT AND THERE IS NO SIGNAL ON THIS. BOUGHT THIS KIND OF EXPENSIVE CAR AND THERE IS NO SAFETY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10948369 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OCCUPANCY SENSOR FAILED, MEANING THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM DOES NOT KNOW IF SOMEONE IS SITTING THE IN PASSENGER SEAT. APPARENTLY, THIS WAS A RECALL ISSUE FOR 2006 BMWS, BUT THE MANUFACTURER FAILS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR NEWER ONES LIKE THOSE IN 2010. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH WILL SHOW THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11174967 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

BLOWER MOTOR SHORTED AND CAUSED WIDESPREAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AFFECTING HEADLIGHTS AND THEIR CONTROL. A LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE BLEW OUT OF THE VENTS AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING MOVED FROM THE GARAGE TO THE PARKING LOT AT A 3RD PARTY SERVICE PROVIDER.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11043796 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov