U.S. safety regulators are investigating an estimated 120,000 BMW 7-Series sedans from the 2002 to 2008 model years (E65 and E66) after receiving a complaint from a consumer alleging a roll-away incident after parking and exiting a 2006MY BMW 7 Series.
According to the complaint filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA], the vehicle was fitted 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 shifter automatically puts the vehicle in Park under a variety of conditions, including after the driver has pressed the ignition button to turn the engine off.
The safety agency said BMW submitted additional reports describing other rollaway incidents in “similarly equipped” 2002-2008MY BMW 7-Series vehicles.
“Thus far, no cause has been identified for any of the rollaway incidents,” NHTSA said in a statement adding that “a Preliminary Evaluation has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and causes of rollaway incidents in the subject vehicles”.
