BMW Recalls 61,000 Vehicles Over Faulty Sunroofs

If you are forking over the extra cash for a sunroof on a new or used car, you want it to actually work.

BMW is recalling some 61,000 vehicles whose sunroofs may malfunction, the company recently told federal regulators. A software snafu poses a trapping risk for BMW owners and passengers, according to BMW.

“Roof function control unit software released for production and service may not have been programmed to appropriate specifications for the US market,” BMW said in a notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “As a result, it may be possible to close the sunroof without the key fob present in the vehicle through other remote means.”

“Although vehicles are equipped with an auto-reversal/anti-trap system, if sunroof closing was initiated without the key fob present in the vehicle, this could increase the risk of injury,” the company continued.

The recall covers certain cars from the 2022 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe lineup, as well as from the 2019-2022 X5. BMW said it is not aware of any accidents or injuries stemming from the defect.

The company plans to notify owners of recalled cars by mid-June. BMW said it will ask them to bring their vehicles to a local dealer for inspection and repair, free of charge.

Legal Rights for BMW Owners in California

Sadly, this is not the first time that BMW has had to call back cars for serious defects. These recalls often happen long after the vehicles have been sold to unsuspecting buyers.

BMW said late last year that it was recalling some 50,000 cars over a brake assist defect that the company acknowledged could increase the risk of a crash. Months earlier, BMW recalled some 14,000 2 Series Gran Coupes for malfunctioning sunroofs.

The good news for BMW owners in California is that you do not have to simply wait for a recall to get a malfunctioning car fixed. The state’s lemon law gives you some important rights and options.

Formally known as the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, the lemon law requires automakers to do a wide range of repairs on cars while they are under warranty. The law also requires the companies to buy back (or replace, in some situations) vehicles that they are unable to or decline to fix. That includes compensating the owner for the purchase price, financing fees, rental car costs and other related expenses.

There is no specific number of repair attempts or requests that must be made before the buyback requirement kicks in. That is one reason why it is vital to consult an experienced California lemon law attorney.

Talk with a San Diego Lemon Law Attorney

If you are stuck with a lemon or locked in a dispute with a car manufacturer over repairs, the San Diego lemon law attorneys at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help. 

Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a San Diego lemon law attorney.