NHTSA ID Number: 11537608
Incident Date: 2023-08-01
Manufacturer's Name: BMW
of North America, LLC
Vehicle/Equipment Make: BMW
Vehicle/Equipment Model: 330I
Model Year: 2020
9999 If Unknown Or N/A
Vehicle Identification Number: 3MW5R7J04L8
Vehicle Mileage At Failure:
Vehicle Speed: 0
Number Of Occurrences:
Was Vehicle Towed: No
Consumer Location: LEWIS CENTER, OH
Summary of Complaint
I have been in the motorcycle industry 1988-2000 and the auto industry since 2000 to current, a break for about 10 years in there. I am fairly mechanically knowledgeable. On 8/1/2 was showing a customer a BMW 330I that we had in inventory. The customer sat in the driver's seat, started the engine and popped the primary hood latch. I was at the front on the vehicle. Since I deal with every make, model and years finding the secondary latch release can be challenging. Initially, I felt under the hood at the center, not finding it I proceeded to feel my way down both sides of the hood. Still not finding the release I inserted my right hand into the grill at first grill opening center right (drivers side). I was feeling inside to find the elusive release. About 1-2 seconds of feeling around I felt the a pressure against my hand. There isn't much space in the grill openings and very quickly I could not remove my hand in time, it was pinched between the vertical grill vent and, at that point unknown, active grill venting. My hand was stuck and the active grill venting continued to close since it indicated the cycle was not complete. I was stuck and it was very painful. My right was stuck in the first opening and I tried to overpower the electric motor with my left hand on the second grill opening (drivers side) I could not overpower it. I slowed it but it continued trying to close. I told the customer that I was stuck and in pain and that I needed help. I could not pull hand out since it was never intended to have a hand in there, the edges where sharp plastic on the inside, almost like a barb. It took me, being one handed and both his hands pushing on the vents to over power the system. Without the second adult male, I was trapped. Issues: 1. excessively overpowered 2. no reverse sensor like auto up passenger windows 3. no break-away safety system
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Complaint 11537608 Documents
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CRASH: No
WAS VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A CRASH
FIRE: No
WAS VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A FIRE
INJURIES: 1
NUMBER OF PERSONS INJURED
DEATHS: 0
NUMBER OF FATALITIES
Was Medical Attention Required: No
Was Incident Reported To Police: No
Date Of Incident: 2023-08-01
(YYYY-MM-DD)
Date Added To File: 2023-08-10
(YYYY-MM-DD)
Date Complaint Received By NHTSA: 2023-08-10
(YYYY-MM-DD)
Date Purchased:
(YYYY-MM-DD)
Was Original Owner: No
Product Type: Vehicle
V = Vehicle T = Tires E = Equipment C = Child Restraint
Specific Component's Description: STRUCTURE:BODY
Anti-Lock Brakes: No
Cruise Control: No
Number Of Cylinders:
Drive Train Type:
[AWD, 4WD, FWD, RWD]
Fuel System:
FI = Fuel Injection TB = Turbo
Fuel Type:
BF = BiFuel CN = CNG/LPG DS = Diesel GS = Gas HR = HybridElectric
Vehicle Transmission Type [Auto, Man]:
(DOT) Department Of Transportation Tire Identifier:
Tire Size:
Location Of Tire:
FSW = Driver Side Front DSR = Driver Side Rear FTR = Passenger Side Front PSR = Passenger Side Rear SPR = Spare
Type Of Tire Failure:
BST = Blister BLW = Blowout TTL = Crack OFR = Out Of Round TSW = Puncture TTR = Road Hazard TSP = Tread Separation
Was Defective Tire Repaired:
Was Part Original Equipment:
Date Of Manufacture:
(YYYYMMDD)
Type Of Child Seat:
B = Booster C = Convertible I = Infant IN = Integrated TD = Toddler
Installation System:
A = Vehicle Safety Belt B = Latch System
Dealer's Name:
Dealer's Telephone Number:
Dealer's City:
Dealer's State:
Dealer's Zipcode:
SOURCE OF COMPLAINT CODE:
CAG = Consumer Action Group CON = Forwarded From A Congressional Office DP = Defect Petition,result Of A Defect Petition EVOQ = Hotline VOQ EWR = EARLY WARNING REPORTING INS = Insurance Company IVOQ = NHTSA Web Site LETR = Consumer Letter MAVQ = NHTSA Mobile APP MIVQ = NHTSA Mobile APP MVOQ = Optical Marked VOQ RC = Recall Complaint, Result Of A Recall Investigation RP = Recall Petition, Result Of A Recall Petition SVOQ = Portable Safety Complaint Form (PDF) VOQ = NHTSA Vehicle Owners Questionnaire
Incident State Code:
Vehicle Operator's Name:
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