WE HAVE A 2004 BMW X5, AND THE DRIVER'S DOOR INSIDE OPENING MECHANISM HAS BROKEN TWICE; ONCE UNDER WARRANTY AND ONCE AFTER. THE REPAIR COSTS NEARLY $800, SO MANY WILL NOT PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED. THE PROBLEM ENDANGERS THE DRIVER IF IN AN ACCIDENT AND NEEDING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, AND IT IS CAUSED BY THE ROUTING OF THE CABLE THROUGH A PLASTIC PART. *TR
2002
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY SON WAS DRIVING MY 2002 BMW X5 SUV FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES (MOSTLY HIGHWAY) WHEN THE "FAIL SAFE" LIGHT CAME ON. HE BEGAN TO PULL INTO THE BREAKDOWN LANE WHEN THE CAR STALLED AND "SYSTEM FAILURE" LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN HE GOT OUT OF THE CAR, THERE WERE FLAMES SHOOTING OUT FROM BENEATH THE ENGINE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. HE AND HIS FIANCE QUICKLY RAN DOWN THE ROAD AND THE CAR WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES WITH BLACK SMOKE FILLING THE SKY WITHIN MOMENTS. THE CAR IS TOTALED WITH ALL WINDOWS MELTED AS WELL AS THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. BOTH FRONT TIRES EXPLODED. I HAVE GONE ONLINE AND THERE ARE MANY X5'S THAT HAVE SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT ON FIRE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *TR
