Investigations
DELAYED TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENT
NHTSA Defect Petition DP04001 — closed, opened 2004-02-03 and involving the BMW 3-SERIES.
NHTSA investigation DP04001 is a Defect Petition opened on 2004-02-03 and currently closed. The subject of record is BMW 3-SERIES, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for BMW. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2004-05-27 — NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
A Defect Petition like DP04001 starts when a person or group formally asks NHTSA to investigate a specific alleged defect. Petitioners submit evidence, NHTSA reviews it within 120 days, and either grants the petition (opening a PE) or denies it with a written explanation in the Federal Register.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "MS. CLAIRE M. TIEDER OF RESTON, VA, SUBMITTED A DEFECT PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED JANUARY 11, 2004, REQUESTING A DEFECT INVESTIGATION BE CONDUCTED INTO DELAYED..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related BMW files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
MS. CLAIRE M. TIEDER OF RESTON, VA, SUBMITTED A DEFECT PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED JANUARY 11, 2004, REQUESTING A DEFECT INVESTIGATION BE CONDUCTED INTO DELAYED TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENT ON MODEL YEAR 2004 BMW XI VEHICLES. BMW'S RESPONSE TO NHTSA'S INFORMATION REQUEST INDICATED THAT CERTAIN BMW 3-SERIES VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE GM5 TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBITED A FORWARD 'PARK' TO 'DRIVE' ENGAGEMENT DELAY FROM 2 TO 30 SECONDS. HOWEVER, THE CONDITION CAN OCCUR ONLY DURING A VEHICLE "COLD START," AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT REST FOR MORE THAN EIGHT HOURS. DRIVERS EXPERIENCING THE DELAY HAVE LEARNED TO TAKE PRECAUTIONARY AND COMPENSATORY MEASURES. BWM WILL REPLACE AFFECTED TRANSMISSIONS EXHIBITING THE DELAY, AFTER THE CONDITION HAS BEEN VERIFIED, WITH AN IMPROVED UNIT. NO ALLEGED CRASHES, INJURIES, OR FATALITIES HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO EITHER BMW OR NHTSA RELATING TO THIS ISSUE. BASED ON ANALYSIS OF NHTSA'S CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND BMW'S DATA, THE PETITION IS DENIED. FOR DETAILS, SEE FEDERAL REGISTER, VOL. 69, NO. 91 (MAY 11, 2004).
About This Investigation Type
A Defect Petition (DP) is initiated when an individual or organization formally petitions NHTSA to investigate a potential safety defect. NHTSA reviews the petition and decides whether to open an investigation.
Other BMW Investigations
Brake fluid leak at front brake caliper
Steering Oscillation
Steering Oscillation
Idler Pulley Bolt Failure
BMW Safety Act Violations
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.