BMW antenna class action overview:
- Who: BMW owner Tim Craft has filed a class action lawsuit against the automaker.
- Why: Craft claims a number of BMW vehicles have a defect that allows water to enter through the roof, causing dangerous problems.
- Where: The BMW antenna class action lawsuit was filed in a New Jersey federal court.
BMW has been slammed with a class action lawsuit claiming that a range of its vehicles contain a defect that allows water to enter through the roof antenna and corrode interior electrical components.
Plaintiff Tim Craft filed the class action lawsuit against BMW of North America LLC and Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft on June 7 in a New Jersey federal court, alleging violations of state and federal consumer laws.
His class action lawsuit alleges a serious defect in model year 2017-2023 BMW M440i, M550i, X1, X3, X4, X5, X6, and X7, 330, 340i, and 750i vehicles.
Craft says the vehicles contain defective sealing that causes water infiltration through the roof-mounted shark fin antenna of the cars, causing water to enter and cause corrosion. He’s looking to represent anyone in California who bought or leased one of the BMW vehicles named in his lawsuit.
Multiple issues after heavy rainstorm
Craft says that last year he bought a pre-owned 2019 X5 xDrive 40i from BMW of San Diego.
In March this year, after a heavy rainstorm, Craft says he began to notice multiple malfunctions in his car. First, his vehicle displayed a warning stating that the emergency call system was malfunctioning. Second, the GPS navigation system incorrectly pinned his location, preventing him from using the GPS system as intended.
Third, the hands-free phone microphone was not functioning. And finally, Craft experienced issues with the BMW Comfort Access system, which allows drivers to unlock the vehicle without a key.
Craft also noticed that the vehicle would intermittently crank but not start. All of these issues worsened over time, he says.
On May 14, Craft says he brought his vehicle to an authorized BMW dealership, which found water in the telematics control module and recommended replacement, but also informed him the necessary repairs weren’t covered under warranty. Ultimately, Craft paid $92 for the necessary repairs because he needed a safe and working vehicle, he says.
Defect endangers drivers, lawsuit says
The defect affects many other drivers who are put at risk by the potential failure of vital safety equipment if the vehicles are left in the rain, the lawsuit says.
He says BMW actively concealed the fact that the vehicles had a defect, and could require costly repairs.
“Despite notice and knowledge of the Defect from the numerous complaints they have received… defendants have not recalled and/or offered an adequate repair to the Class Vehicles,” the lawsuit states.
As a result, Craft is suing for violations of California consumer laws, breach of warranty and unjust enrichment. He’s seeking certification of the class action, damages, fees, costs and a jury trial.
In February, BMW issued a recall for nearly 80,000 vehicles over concerns the vehicles’ integrated braking system could malfunction, leading to braking issues and increasing the risk of a crash. The recall affects BMW and Rolls-Royce vehicle owners nationwide.
The plaintiff is represented by Joseph G. Sauder, Matthew D. Schelkopf and Joseph B. Kenney of Sauder Schelkopf LLC
The BMW Antenna Class Action Lawsuit is Craft v. BMW of North America LLC, Case No. 1:24-cv-06826 in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
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29 thoughts onBMW class action claims some vehicles allow water to enter through antenna
I own several BMW cars. Live in Texas. How can we participate in the BMA Lawsuit? Add my name and notify me of Class Action in Texas or attorney firms handling in Texas. Thank you.
I had a water leak in my 2011 328xi and the dealer said it was due to my sunroof leaking because the weepholes were blocked by gunk. My car is NOT garaged and there is NOTHING in the manual or anywhere on the website for maintaining clear weepholes. Cost me $2K plus to repair the electronics module under the passenger seat where the water collected. My car wouldn’t go above 30mph due to the bad module. I also did NOT detect the smell of standing water so it came as a surprise–they SHOWED me the water as I didn’t believe it. The warranty didn’t cover the repair. Now they charge me $200 to use their compressed air to blow out the weepholes every 2-3 years. If you use anything like a coat hanger it will cause damage and you will have to junk the car because it is in the fame so they cannot make electrical repairs of that nature due to cost. Although you CAN usuccessfully use a heavy guitar string as they are flexible and will not cause damage–they WILL clear the clogs though. GOOD LUCK ALL! The BMW’s LEAK EVERYWHERE!
I had the exact same issue and problems after heavy rain my stearing system would give out and went out my electrical system was acting up and my dash would flash lights on and off. They found I had a bunch of standing water below my trunk where the electrical components are housed. That they noted was able to seep into the the car area due to faulty and poor design by BMW. My repairs resulted in a bill 4 figures deep not to mention the safety issue of the automatic stearing going out when it would rain
Please add me. I have a 2023 X3
Please add me to this suit. Own a x3
Please include me.
Please add me or call me. This happened to me this year and I spent over $7K to replace damaged electrical due to water. My car is a 528 xi 2014 though.
Thanks
Please add me to the list. I have a 2022 X3
Please add me. I have a 2018 x5 with a water leak and the dealer said the leak is from a faulty windshield. Huh? Its never been replaced so how does the water leak in every time it rains?
Add me I had a 2008 535 xi and could not figure out the electrical problem I just junked the car.