2018 BMW 530E

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

I am submitting this complaint regarding my 2018 BMW 530e, VIN [XXX], which is affected by BMW safety recall 26V-441. I received a recall notice from BMW advising that a defect involving the engine starter may result in overheating and a potential vehicle fire, even while the vehicle is parked and turned off. BMW advised owners to park their vehicles outdoors and away from structures until the recall repair is completed. The notice stated that the remedy was not yet available. I have contacted BMW seeking assistance with alternative transportation while awaiting the repair. Unfortunately, the dealership’s loaner vehicle arrangement does not accept my insurance carrier, The General. BMW’s alternative rental arrangement uses Enterprise, which I am unable to rent from due to a prior issue.As a result, neither transportation option offered is accessible to me. I am not requesting that BMW replace or repurchase my vehicle. I simply want the safety defect repaired and a reasonable transportation solution while awaiting that repair. I am concerned about the safety implications of continuing to use a vehicle for which the manufacturer has issued a fire-risk warning, particularly when the recall repair has not been made available to me. I contacted BMW directly and was informed that the remedy for safety recall 26V-441 is not yet available. Therefore, I cannot have the safety defect repaired at this time. BMW has advised affected owners to park their vehicles outdoors and away from structures because of the potential fire risk. However, despite my efforts to obtain alternative transportation, the options offered to me are not accessible. I am requesting that NHTSA review the un I respectfully request that NHTSA review this situation, including the status of the recall remedy, the delay in completing the repair, and whether BMW is taking adequate steps to address the safety concerns of affected owners. Thank you for your attention to this matter. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA)

NHTSA ID

11771711

Incident

Sep 14, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 BMW 530E. The contact vehicle was left outside due to not being able to store the vehicle in the garage, and the front windshield cracked. The dealer was contacted, but no assistance was provided.

NHTSA ID

11769289

Incident

Jan 1, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 BMW 530E. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle was shaking abnormally, with electrical system failures. The “Driving Assistance”, TPMS, Emergency Call Service, check engine, and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V441000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted and diagnosed the vehicle with undisclosed sensor failures. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.

NHTSA ID

11763315

Incident

May 5, 2025

Mileage

79,000 mi

My 2018 BMW 530e suddenly shut down while I was driving. I charged it overnight, but the next day it showed a check‑engine light and a drivetrain failure warning. I tried driving it again, and it drove for some distance and shutdown after few minutes. Luckily, i was able to park the car on the side of the road. I brought(towed) it to a mechanic, and he told me the issue was a CCU failure, which would cost about $12,000 to fix. I believe this should be covered by the manufacturer because this isn’t a normal wear‑and‑tear problem, and I can’t absorb such a high repair cost."

NHTSA ID

11722098

Incident

Mar 2, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 BMW 530E. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for water pump repairs, the wrench warning light was illuminated, and the message "Passenger Seat Restraint Sensor Failure" was displayed. The contact stated that the dealer inspected the vehicle and diagnosed that the passenger's seat occupant weight sensor had failed. The vehicle was not repaired due to cost. The contact stated that the failure had persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.

NHTSA ID

11707996

Incident

Apr 16, 2025

Mileage

79,000 mi

Passenger seat occupancy sensor faulty causing restraint system malfunction and seat belt warning

NHTSA ID

11697612

Incident

Nov 1, 2025

I got a "Drivetrain malfunction" error on my 2018 530e bmw, which is a hybrid plug-in model. I sent the car to the local dealer. They did all the diagnosis and concluded the high voltage battery needed to be replaced. However, they told me that the warranty (80K/8 years) will not cover it although my card is still in the warranty period. The dealer said that the BMW North America made the decision and there was nothing they could do. Without replacing the battery, the car could fail on the highway, which could be a huge safety concern. I called BMW North America and talked to the warranty department, the guy sounded stoned/disillusioned with his job/just woke up and said there’s nothing he can do and the dealership already talked to the warranty department/somebody the public doesn’t have access to and the dealership goes with whatever that department tells them.

NHTSA ID

11672168

Incident

Jul 1, 2025

The seatbelt/passenger seat fails to recognize a passenger is occupying the seat and turns off the airbag. This issue has been reported many times to BMW and on vehicle forums. This is an expensive fix ($2800) that should be issued a recall by the manufacture and not passed onto the owner of the car.

NHTSA ID

11654120

Incident

Apr 8, 2025

A situation may occur where the front passenger seat is not occupied; however, a “fasten seat belt” warning and a front passenger seat air bag deactivation message appears. If the situation is currently present, sit in the seat and move the seat to a slightly different position. The POL (Passenger Occupancy Light) light should now function correctly. In some cases, the Air bag Warning Light was illuminated, and the following Advanced Crash Safety Module (ACSM) fault is stored: 930A1C - Front passenger seat occupancy detection transmitting fault (moisture)

A situation may occur where the front passenger seat is not occupied; however, a “fasten seat belt” warning and a front passenger seat air bag deactivation message appears. If the situation is currently present, sit in the seat and move the seat to a slightly different position. The POL (Passenger Occupancy Light) light should now function correctly. In some cases, the Air bag Warning Light was illuminated, and the following Advanced Crash Safety Module (ACSM) fault is stored: 930A1C - Front passenger seat occupancy detection transmitting fault (moisture)

The EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.

The high-temperature (HT) coolant expansion tanks breathing line/pipe limited warranty for defects in materials and / workmanship has been extended to 10 years / 120,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.

The High-Voltage (HV) Battery Assembly Cell Modules Temperature Sensors (Internal NTC repair kit-specific) limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service/first delivery date.

Component-Specific Extended Limited Warranty (ELW) Issues with the fuel supply module/level sensor assembly and its related components, the fuel doorcover pot (ejector and drive), the filler flap (door) itself and/or the emergency release mechanism arenot included under this extended warranty coverage.