[Crash Test]

My radio has been broken since the car was almost new. What happens is that the FM station resets to 87.7 when the car restarts. The dealer has said that this is a known issue but there is no resolution, and I've been waiting 2.5 years for a resolution. BMW won't allow them to try to replace the radio or any other parts under warranty since they can't say for sure what the problem is.

A few weeks ago the dealer suggested I speak to BMW Canada customer service. After multiple emails with them they have said that I should just be patient and, maybe, a fix will be developed at some point in the future. They have offered me $300 in compensation.

I feel this response is totally inadequate. I believe they should start replacing parts until the problem goes away but they refuse. $300 in compensation is insulting.

I wonder if I have any recourse or if I'm just out of luck.

[brissim]

I'm actually a little astonished that you have had to patience to wait 2.5 years for this issue - or indeed any issue - to be resolved. I haven't done a search of these forums to find out if this is a common or even a known issue but I have never heard of it.

And yes I would agree that $300 compensation essentially for you to go way and stop bothering them is insulting. I'd be pushing for the problem to be fixed whatever this takes PLUS $300 in compensation for putting up with the problem and BMW's response for 2.5 years.

Tony

[///Mposter]

I have the same issue and it started to go away when I had a trickle charger on it. But yes same issue with it resetting to 88.1 and it is so annoying that I just normally keep it on CD and plug in my iphone or turn on blue tooth so it links and plays music. I can't stand it when I leave it on loud because I was jamming out to a song and then get in the car in the morning and I hear static loudly and the Nav screen is preoccupied with telling you to accept the terms.

[BMWrules7]

Originally Posted by Crash Test

My radio has been broken since the car was almost new. What happens is that the FM station resets to 88.1 when the car restarts. The dealer has said that this is a known issue but there is no resolution, and I've been waiting 2.5 years for a resolution. BMW won't allow them to try to replace the radio or any other parts under warranty since they can't say for sure what the problem is.

A few weeks ago the dealer suggested I speak to BMW Canada customer service. After multiple emails with them they have said that I should just be patient and, maybe, a fix will be developed at some point in the future. They have offered me $300 in compensation.

I feel this response is totally inadequate. I believe they should start replacing parts until the problem goes away but they refuse. $300 in compensation is insulting.

I wonder if I have any recourse or if I'm just out of luck.

DO NOT ACCEPT ANY COMPENSATION! You may be waiving important rights!

Dude, there are laws in place, even in Canada I understand, that were designed to protect you from this very scenario.

You need to tell your dealer, that their time is up. Either fix the damn radio within 15 days or you will pursue a lemon law claim.

It's time to get jiggy with these procrastinators. And, no you're not waiting more than 15 days.

That should get their attention and you a new radio---post haste.

[pokerface]

Unfortunately Canada does not have lemon laws and the Consumer Protection Act excludes vehicles.

I'd stick them to the letter of warranty

[plymjack]

I am surprised that you have waited so long.... but I do think they have to sort this for you. I would decline the offer of compensation until they fix they issue.
If you are paying on finance then I would look to the finance company and say you will stop paying if the issue is not resolved. good luck

[Crash Test]

There is no lemon law in Ontario where I live, but it is very easy to file a claim in small claims court. In this case the claim would be that BMW Canada is not honoring their warranty terms.

I'll need to look into their terms further before proceeding, but maybe they would rather offer a proper settlement than fight this as it would be less expensive.

[JSY]

I'm just curious - is this really a known issue without any fix from BMW? This sounds serious to me for there to be a service bulletin!

[Crash Test]

Update - BMW Canada thinks the radio issue is related to low voltage problems in the car and instructed the dealer to replace the battery. Since the radio issue happens mainly in cold weather I may not know for a few months whether this fixes the problem.

[eldo33]

wow...2,5 years?

when my 325i warranty almost went out, my CD player wouldn't work. it would eject the CD when the car is hot AND after 1-2 mins.

the dealer kept the car for 3 days, gave me a loaner to find the issue then when i picked it up, they replaced it with a new radio/cd player.

i would be screaming if it took longer than a week.

2.5 years u got a lot of patient.

[bbbuzzy]

Lemon laws do not apply to entertainment devices. They are in place to protect the owners from problems that affect driveability or present a safety issue. Perhaps a man to man with the GM would lead to a solution? Good luck.