U.S. federal safety regulators have slapped a $3 million (€2.3 million) fine on BMW North America for delays in reporting and not providing enough information on its safety defects and recalls. The fine will be paid into the Treasury Department's General Fund.
Automakers are required by law to notify the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) within five business days of identifying a safety defect or noncompliance and to promptly conduct a recall.
The NHTSA said it launched an investigation on the matter back in December of 2010 examining 16 BMW recalls from that year. The safety agency said it found evidence of a number of instances where BMW did not report a known safety defect within five days while the filings were also missing important details.
"BMW appears to maintain a practice, by design or habit, in which it provides little information in its initial filings," said the NHTSA.
"For example, of the 16 Part 573 reports BMW filed this year [2010], in only 6 was it able to tell the agency the number of vehicles affected by the defect or noncompliance and expected to be recalled. In only 5 recalls reports was BMW able to supply any chronology of principal events, and only 1 of these 5 chronologies met the bare minimum for such a chronology," the agency said in its report.
The NHTSA added that it took BMW over 30 days, on average, to supply required information, "including such fundamental information as population figures."
As part of the settlement, BMW North America also agreed to make internal changes to its recall decision-making process.
“It’s critical to the safety of the driving public that defects and recalls are reported in short order,” said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland. “NHTSA expects all manufacturers to address automotive safety issues quickly and in a forthright manner.”
5 Comments:
Trying to protect their image and stay on top of the market, never liked them I knew years ago that BMW had a lot of problems that is why I never got one. I know of a Lady that purchased a M3 and had it back 21 times for the same problem electrical and they gave her a new one , people likesaying I drive a Bimmer but don't tell you it mostly driven to the shop for repairs.
Gov't needs money. BMW has money. Gov't Takes money.
This is well known by industry insiders. It is reality whilst BMW try to continue the false perception that their cars are faultless. It isn't true and never has been.
The fools are the "type" of people that buy whatever ugly, underpowered, lacking in extras (pay much more for options that are standard on other cars) and best of all built in developing nations like Vietnam, South Africa and China...and pay a premium for it. BMW have more faults than other brands with "bad" image.
Asians in developed nations love BMW, makes them feel special (one peasant has two pebbles feels better that the other with one) but it just shows they sre stupid (not exculsive to Asians though).
I suppose we are all entitled to our opinions, but unless you've owned BMWs then you should not generalize. I have owned 6 different BMWs, and while they are not perfect, what BMW charges you extra for, you simply can't get with most other brands. If you want a manual transmission V8 sedan, you have only 2 options on the market currently: a CTS-V and a couple of bimmers. 3 years ago, BMW was the only choice. It is still the only company that made a V10 with a manual and 4 doors.
BMWs are for enthusisat, not for posers. I find that when I actively drive my bimmers, a lot of the 'problems' went away. I also discovered a lot of the 'problems' were because bimmes are loaded with sensors to keep you unequivocally informed. The problem is that BMW was slow in reporting, not that it was not reporting them, I will still choose a bimmer anyday, forever. It has the special feeling. No bimmer has ever let me down. Ever.
I am a BMW driver and as Jeremy Clarkson and Tanner Foust proclaim I am a cock and I drive like a prick. I am German also gay thats why I chose the brand that gives you "joy".
Post a Comment