BMW Final Drives Being Investigated by NHTSA

[Ignacio]

It took 10 years for the BMW community to come together enough for a NHTSA investigation on Paralever style final drives, but they're finally taking a look!

Copied from LDRider I can't help by notice that we've already been through and resolved half a dozen issues on the FJR in a similar time frame--including one or two formal NHTSA investigations, a few recalls, and numerous manufacturer bulletins and resolutions. It helps having a forum member or two that work and play nice with some NHTSA folks, but I think speaks larger volumes about how this forum do their best work when they focus on resolving particular problems.

Good for BMW owners regardless! It's about time. :clapping:

and please forgive the letter author on the NHTSA acronym dyslexia.

After over 145 individual complaints filed between April 2001 and August 2011, the NHSTA has finally opened its first official investigation into the failure of crown gear bearings on BMW models equipped with the Paralever style final drive. NHSTA investigation DP12001 opened 1/20/12 is centered on 1999-2005 K1200LTs for now. But, if the findings are what we all believe they will be, the scope of the investigation should be expanded. I found the only way to get NHSTA to listen and focus was to pepper its director, David Strickland, with repeat letters as well as inquiries from WA Senator Patty Murray who chairs the subcommittee over funding for the NHSTA. If you have had a final drive failure on your Paralever equipped BMW, and have NOT already reported it to the NHSTA, I urge you do it now.  

You will need your VIN, (est.) date of failure and mileage. State your model as well. While they should be able to identify from VIN, their data was wrong 50% of the time. Specify if gear oil leaked.

 

www.safercar.org

 

or call (888) 327-4236

 

or mail to:

 

NHSTA

 

Office of Defects Investigation (NVS-210)

 

West Building

 

1200 New Jersey Ave SE

 

Washington DC 20590

 

 

In your complaint, select "Power Train" as the component and reference that you have had the same failure as described in ODI No. 10439549, and currently being investigated under Campaign DP12001.

 

Send an email to your Congressman and US Senator to follow up on your behalf as well.

 

Chris Cimino

 

[scubatech]

Admttedly, I like BMW's. Mainly the 1200GS & K1600 GT models. This has been long overdue, thanks for the info.