4.3
definitely annoying- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 26,429 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
My vehicle displayed a code, "tpm", which means, tire pressure monitor, which is to detect tire pressure issues from the "run flat tires" that are standard on my vehicle. I took the vehicle into my dealer and they said, "the temperature swing tripped the warning light". they reset the system and I continued to use my vehicle and within 3 days, the tpm light came on again, and I immediately drove over to the dealer again. On my way two of my run flat tires literally shredded and I was forced to have the car towed to the dealer. This time the dealer diagnosed the problem was caused by the nitrogen that is used to inflate the tires, had eroded the interior lining (walls) of the tires which is why they did not detect this issue 3 days before. Not only did I have to spring for 4 new tires, that have 27K miles on them, I am now fearful of this happening again. If nitrogen is in fact destroying the tire from the inside out, than why is this chemical being used"?"
- Centreville, VA, USA
Bridgestone turanza tires 225/45R17 dot 4906 - very noisy tires at 9, 131 miles.
- East Orange, NJ, USA
Runflat tires on BMW 328xi are not suited to american roads. Hit a pothole on the highway with the runflat tires. Wheel was damaged and tire was damaged as well. Runflat tires seem less resilient than standard tires, and result in greater likelihood of wheel damage. Tire did not go flat, but wheel and tire need replacement.
- Greenwich, CT, USA
My car failed a vehicle inspection today for "safety reasons" because I'm told the 2 front tires are worn out. I have a 2007 BMW 328xi that came with Bridgestone turanza el 42 run flat tires. After 8114 miles in response to my complains with the handling, and noise, the tires were found to be scalloped and all 4 were replaced (with same make and model) free of charge in 2007. At 22K miles (14K on new tires) the noise became unbearable and at 28,555 (20K on tires) I took the car back in and was told to replace the tires for close to $1000 (since the dealer said they could only replace tires once) with advise to shop for a better price. Given that my state inspection guidelines consider this a safety issue, and I'm asked to change tires twice under 29K miles, I would have hoped BMW or Bridgestone would have done something about this. But I'm requesting the NHTSA to look into it.
- Billerica, MA, USA
I discovered few weeks ago that the car I lease since 2008 does not have a spare tire. When I inquire the reason why, the manufacturer explained that the car uses especial tires called run flat which in the event of a tire problem would allow me to go to the next tire shop. There are a number of problems with this argument. First, the rationale for eliminating a spare tire is flawed and unsafe: A spare provides drivers with an extra wheel ' including both tire and rim, in case something happens with either component. Eliminating the spare because a car has rfts (run flat tires) fails to take into consideration that the wheels of the car can also suffer damage to the point of immobilizing the vehicle. This is an important safety hazard that would be easily solved with a spare tire. Second, after researching about rfts I found out that most tire shops in the metropolitan area where I live don't carry these tires (one needs to pre-order them) and cannot even repair them. I cannot imagine what would be the availability outside metropolitan areas. Third, these tires are twice or three times as expensive as a regular tire ' the cheapest rft for my car are $200 per tire; and according to tire shop employees they typically last half the mileage of a regular tire. Fourth, and perhaps the most concerning issue, when I was buying the car nobody at the dealership disclosed the type of tires the car had or the lack of spare tire. If I would have known this information I simply would not have leased the vehicle. I contacted the manufacturer and they said that even though they suggest their dealers disclose this information, they cannot monitor nor can they do anything to make the dealers comply. I think both manufacturer and dealers are to blame for putting people at risk by eliminating the spare tire, and for not being forthcoming and explicit about the introduction of new technologies that may affect the purchase decision.
- San Francisco, CA, USA
The contact owns a set of Bridgestone run flat potenza tires on a 2007 BMW 328I. While driving 25 mph, the contact heard a clicking noise. After examining the vehicle, the contact noticed that the tread was disconnected from the tire. The contact spoke with the manufacturer about related run flat tire complaints and they advised the contact to have the vehicle inspected by a dealer. The dealer stated they had never seen that form of tread separation; however, the failure was due to normal wear and tear. The contact would like for the manufacturer to assume the repair cost.
- Atlanta, GA, USA
The contact owns a 2007 BMW 328xi. The vehicle has Bridgestone tires. The contact stated that her tires are defective at 18,000 miles. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle began swerving to the left and the tires felt hard. The dealer stated that the tires are defective and all four needed to be replaced. The tires are called "flat" tires and no spare tire was available. If the "flat" tires ever go flat, she can still drive on them for at least 125 more miles. The dealer will replace two of her tires for free, but the other two must be purchased at the cost of $625. The tire size was unknown. The failure mileage was 18,025.
- Shelton, CT, USA
Excessive road noise and abnormal (premature) wear of Bridgestone-Firestone turanza EL42 run flat tires 205/55R16. Excessive road noise started before 10,000 miles and all tires had to be replaced after only 1 year (approx 14,000 miles). Car was a 2007 BMW 328I. BMW has a service bulletin (si B 36 06 06) regarding this issue and is replacing all tires (upon complaint) if < 10,000 miles. If tires have between 10,001 to 20,000 miles, replacement is at 50%. tires were "cupping" and demonstrating very abnormal wear patterns. Upon complaint to Bridgestone Firestone, they agreed to 100% replacement costs. Old tires are not available.
- Lewisville, TX, USA
I purchased a 2007 BMW 328I on 2/22/2007. It came equipped with Bridgestone turanza EL42. In December of 2007, I found out that these tires are not wearing properly. In my searches on the internet, I have found that this problem has been ongoing for at least 2 years. BMW refuses to pay for replacing all the tires if you are over 10K miles. My tires are wearing horribly and causing a safety risk. BMW knew of this problem in January 2007 when they issued a service info bulletin to all the dealers. However, they did not inform the owners and they actually sold my car to me without mentioning the problems they are having with the tires. No tires should wear out after 10K miles. I actually took the car in for service in early Sept to have a tire replaced and no one still mentioned the sib to me. My husband found a copy of it on the internet and it basically says, don't replace these unless the customer complains. However, its difficult to detect the uneven tread wear until there are huge flat spots on your tires. This is so reminiscent of the Firestone/Ford debacle and I feel that BMW is playing the odds to keep from having to help fund a huge recall. They kept putting these same tires on these cars despite the complaints.
- Bowling Green, KY, USA
- Fleming Island, FL, USA