According to a source close to BMW, a software repair solution for the i3 stop sale is available to pilot dealers as of today for field testing and will be available to all customers this week. BMW says that the non-compliance issue has been resolved and tested the new specifications in the United States.
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Last month, BMW has issued a stop-sale on all new i3 cars for an issue with frontal crash protection for drivers of the “5th percentile female” in the driver’s seat, if they don’t wear their seatbelt. The recall also included 30,000 units already sold in the United States.
The recall stated that in the event of a frontal crash, females of about 5-feet tall and 110 pounds have a “marginally higher risk” of sustaining neck injuries than is allowed. Again, if they aren’t wearing their seatbelt. That latter bit is important because it’s illegal to not wear a seatbelt in 49 of the 50 States.
The software fix has been in works since the stop-sale and at the i3s event earlier this month we were told that a fix is coming within weeks. Now that fix seems to be here. Stay tuned for more details.
It’s ridiculous that they put a stop sale on it in the first place.
Probably, but think how they would have been torched if by chance a new owner that was a 5th percentile female got a neck injury in an accident where she wasn’t wearing a seat belt. I know the odds are infantile, but if it did happen they would be sued for tens of millions and the media – and the public, would have absolutely roasted them for knowing about a problem and not doing anything.
Isn’t the fire recall limited to North America? BMW apparently are being sensibly conservative in the land of litigation. Remember what happened to Audi with false acceleration? Anything to not show up on 60 Minutes!
I had a recall on the BMW 5-Series I traded towards my Tesla once, it was for the water pump that kept the turbos cool. In the letter I was advised that the issue could lead to an”engine compartment fire”, and it recommend I park my car outdoors until the issue was fixed. So in other words the issue could possibly have burnt my house down, but there was no stop sale issued. BMW could sell the car, tell the customer about the issue, and have them sign a document that states they were informed of the issue, and told to use a seatbelt at all times. Instead, they took their one electric car off the market until further notice, it seems odd to me.