BMW cupholders wreak havoc when wet, US$5-million class-action claims

The suit targets the BMW X7 SUV and maybe other models, alleging moisture in the console can cause airbags to go offThe suit targets the BMW X7 SUV and maybe other models, alleging moisture in the console can cause airbags to go off

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BMW is facing a US$5-million lawsuit in the U.S. over cupholders in X7 models that allegedly let any liquid spilled in or around them to leak onto wiring below and cause issues with crucial electronic parts.

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Filed in a District Court in Orange County, California last week, the suit claims the X7 M50i’s cupholders are “not properly designed to hold cups filled with liquid.” As a result of the defect, “the wires for the SRS (airbag) control module, which sits directly underneath cup holder, get wet and are damaged.” 

If this occurs, according to the case, vehicle airbags may unintentionally deploy, causing thousands of dollars in damage that aren’t currently covered by warranties. The suit claims a spill isn’t even necessary, and that “condensation on the cup” can also lead to the malfunction. In other instances, the shifter wiring can be effected, essentially crippling the vehicle. 

One of the complaints listed in the suit details an instance where “not much” of a soda was “spilled onto the gearshift center console” and resulted in the car being automatically shut down and stalled in the left lane of the highway. “Goes into Park and won’t shift into drive or reverse and dash says bring to dealer immediately,” the filing reads. “Car gets towed to BMW and tech tells me the liquid damaged a part under the gear shift…cost to fix $2900.00 and not covered by warranty.”

Other examples are documented in this Bimmerpost forum, including one owner who noticed a “restraint system failure notification” on their X7 still under warranty after spilling liquid in on it; they were handed a US$2,200 repair bill. The dealer essentially claimed water damage, which is not covered. 

Yes, a water damage exemption. You know, like an iPhone. But in a cupholder? C’mon, BMW.