Wirtz Law Blog

If you own a BMW, you likely understand the importance of quality, style, and function — and you’re willing to pay for them. But all vehicle manufacturers face flaws in the production process. Unfortunately, that may mean that the “ultimate driving machine” is less than what it’s promised to be. 

A luxury car is an investment. When you pick out the perfect vehicle, you count on that brand to deliver safety and satisfaction, especially when a vehicle is brand-new and you pay a premium for it. 

Every car brand has a few known manufacturing issues. Unfortunately, BMW is no exception. But there’s no reason to settle for a car that doesn’t perform to its quality standards. 

Most Common Defects

BMWs are known to have certain recurring defects. Some of these problems are electrical issues, while others are mechanical. 

These components are known to face defects that may impact your car’s performance:

• Coolant system
• Heater core
• Fuel pump
• Oil filter gasket (leaks)
• Steering wheel (vibration while braking)
• Tail lamp assembly
• Electric windows
• Engine compression

Some of these issues are easy to spot. It’s hard to miss a battery that dies prematurely or a power window that won’t close when the button is pressed. Taillights that don’t work properly are also clearly visible. 

Other issues might be noticeable, but leave you wondering whether they’re major problems or just a routine part of car maintenance. For example, oil spots in the driveway are frustrating, especially when repeated trips to a mechanic still don’t seem to fully fix the leak.

BMW issues might begin subtly and increase over time. You may notice that the steering wheel begins to vibrate when you apply the brakes. An underperforming fuel pump can impact fuel efficiency and cause problems with acceleration and deceleration.

You may not recognize that these represent common manufacturing issues, rather than normal wear and tear on the vehicle.

An overrun coolant system can leave you stranded at the side of the road. A faulty heater core can suddenly flood into the passenger side of the vehicle through a defective valve. These kinds of damage can be expensive and unexpected.  

The BMW Blues

Waving away isolated incidents can lead you to miss the window of opportunity afforded by the California Lemon Law. If you wait too long to begin questioning ongoing issues with your vehicle, you may miss out on replacement or reimbursement for a faulty vehicle. 

Lemon laws exist to hold manufacturers accountable and to protect individuals from becoming victims of owning a defective car or SUV. Knowing the law and your rights can keep you from having to bear the consequences of a manufacturing error or poor workmanship.  

What Can I Do About BMW Defects?

Many BMW owners continue to pour money into expensive trips to the mechanic, simply dealing with the frustration of an underperforming vehicle. Whether your coolant system blows and you break down on the highway or a downpour begins and you can’t get your windows up, manufacturer issues create serious inconveniences at a high cost.

Fortunately, lemon laws exist to protect customers’ safety and investments. But there are time limits on how long you can wait. 

If you have a new BMW that is still under manufacturer warranty, you may have a lemon if your car has experienced repeated unfixed defects or multiple defects that just keep happening.  To qualify, the defects must substantially impair the use, value, or safety of the vehicle.   

Ignoring issues and delaying repair attempts can cause you to miss the window for replacement or reimbursement under California’s Lemon Law. 

The BMW brand enjoys a good reputation as a luxury vehicle. The value of your BMW is connected to its luxury status for which you pay a premium. But if your BMW doesn’t have you beaming, you’re not getting what you paid for. No one likes a lemon, especially at a luxury price. 

Vehicle defects and underperformance can impact safety, longevity, and customer satisfaction. Once you’re aware of a manufacturer’s errors, hold them accountable for failing to deliver the experience you deserve. Contact our team today.