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BMW settles E46 3-series subframe lawsuit, promises to repair affected models

 
9 25,806 views Jun 19, 2009

The settlement only pertains to U.S. residents for now but E46 owner in other markets should check their vehicles as well

The settlement only pertains to U.S. residents for now but E46 owner in other markets should check their vehicles as well

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As the result of a class action lawsuit settlement against BMW, the luxury German automaker will begin an inspection-and-repair process for potentially faulty subframes in fourth-generation 3-series models. The particular model in question is the E46, and covers the complete model run from 1999 through to 2006.

The suit originated in 2006 and claimed that defects in E46 3-series models cause fractures in the rear-axle supports in the subframe. Some customers have reported clunking noises from the rear and some have even experienced complete subframe failure.

This settlement only pertains to U.S. residents for now and is not classified as a recall of any kind. Details will be forthcoming, pending the court's final approval of the proposed class settlement. In advance of the final settlement, BMW customers with questions should visit the website www.E46subframeclassactionsettlement.com.

In the meantime, all E46 3-series owners and leases in the U.S. who have not noticed the problem or have already fixed it themselves should check the website as well as they may be eligible for reimbursement.



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Comments (9)

  1. ma_rogerbohl avatar rogerbohl Posted: 7/14/2009 8:41am PDT

    The website specified in the correspondence ...

    www.e46subframeclasssettlement.com

    is not operative. But an e-mail sent to

    claims@www.e46subframeclasssettlement.com

    does elicit a form reply that includes a claim form as an attachment. It would appear that the proposed settlement was accepted by the parties, but I have not been able to confirm. It would be nice to see a copy of the actual settlement, not just the report of it.

    R. Bohl
     
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  2. By morgan Posted: 10/27/2009 1:23pm PDT

    I was able to access www.E46subframeclassactionsettlement.com.
    There is a copy of the final judggement there.
     
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  3. By  s brown Posted: 12/12/2009 6:10pm PST

    I took my car to the local BMW dealer for service and was notified that there was a problem with my car. I was told the repair could take from 1 week to 4 weeks, and that they were having trouble getting BMW to provide a loaner car while the repair is taking place. I was told that I would be notified when they had an answer, That was 2 weeks ago and I have heard nothing. What should I do?
     
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  4. By jose Posted: 12/22/2009 9:18pm PST

    i just notice today this clicking sound in my car i want to find out if it is the subframe so bmw can fix this it seems like a comon problem and my car is just a regular driving car no track or race at all
     
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  5. By  calcium Posted: 12/29/2009 9:16pm PST

    I think now people will try to find out different types of sound in there BMW subframe and the BMW people's will keep on telling that it is related to some other problem. Hope all will get the same kind of treatment.
     
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  6. By Matty b. Posted: 1/4/2010 5:27pm PST

    I sometimes have felt a shimmy in my car and when I took it in last Fall they claimed to have found a cracked rear spring. It helped, but I can't help but think there is more to the issue than a spring. The shimmy is less, but still there, no clunking though. I received this letter in June and will send it in.
     
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  7. By Angel Posted: 2/21/2010 8:50pm PST

    My son has a 1999 325 there is a banging noise coming from the driveshaft tunel.I replace the center carier bearing it went alway for a little while but it came back. is that the noise ?
     
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  8. By edgar Posted: 4/16/2010 9:01pm PDT

    in also found a noise in the frontrear end i send to fix the boot of the axle in the passenger side. and now i hear the same kind of noise on the left side is like a chimney noise. after i put the new boot again it broke it again. i very concern for i bought the piece at my nearest bmws dealer.im extremely concern its the family car should i take it back to bmw dealer? for i trusted this vehicle and as expencive as is i should of gotten a great quality pls contact me as ur earliset convience. mr.vazquez
     
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  9. By Alex Díaz Posted: 5/1/2010 7:46pm PDT

    I am Alex from Peñuelas Puerto Rico I've already received a recall from the BMW about the rear axle of 325i 2002 but I lost the Letter so when I called AutoGermana the only authorized BMW conceptionary in P.R. to bring my car they told me that if I didn't have the letter they couldn't inspect my car so I want to now what could I do to received the recall letter again if there's a mail or phone to call? and notify my situation please help me I'll appreciate it thanks! Alecc
     
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