Emergency call malfunction error disaster

Vik1292 · 03-07-2024, 10:48 AM

I had this error come up last year (Jan 2023). The issue was due to water leaking through the shark fin antenna (bad seal) and damaging the TCU. The TCU was then replaced. This was covered under warranty as I had till April 2023 before warranty expired.

Fast forward to today, this error has come up again now (March 2024). Guess what the issue was? AGAIN, same thing. Water leaked through shark fin antenna (bad seal) and destroyed TCU. TCU has to be replaced, again.

But now, my car is out of warranty and they are asking $4500 to replace the TCU. I told them this is ridiculous and the advisor is working with the manager for next steps. I’m still waiting for any update..

I also want to point out I had the emergency call malfunction error come up 2 times prior to my visit in Jan 2023. In those prior visits it was related to the tcu battery going bad and needing to be replaced + dealership needing to perform “updates” on the car.

In total, I’ve had this error come up 5 times now. And been to the same dealership to get it fixed.

I’m hoping out of good faith they will fix the issue, especially considering they fixed the same exact issue last year in Jan…

Will keep you posted.

For reference car is 2019 X3 M40i

Novvaa · 03-07-2024, 11:10 PM

Just had this fixed on my 2019 X3 xDrive30i. The dealer charged something like $2700. I was still under the CPO warranty and they still wouldn’t cover it. However, the SA recommended that I call my insurance company because they had a decent amount of success getting insurance to cover this issue as “water infiltration”. Long story short, USAA covered the repair, minus my $500 deductible. They didn’t the shark fin itself, though, so that did cost me something like $200. So $700 out of pocket. Not amazing but better than $2700.

GaSelle · 03-08-2024, 01:44 AM

Don´t know how the warranty rules are in the US, but here in EU I would assume that the repair they did last year comes with its own warranty. What they did last year didn´t fix the issue (leak), so it´s on them to correct it without any cost for you. At least that´s the way my danish logic works

M40i4me · 03-08-2024, 05:32 AM

When I had my 328 the headlight washers were replaced out of warranty (I paid) and failed again one year later. My dealer fixed it for free no questions asked. Fight for a free repair as they did not seal your shark fin correctly last time it was fixed.

bocabimmer · 03-08-2024, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M40i4me

When I had my 328 the headlight washers were replaced out of warranty (I paid) and failed again one year later. My dealer fixed it for free no questions asked. Fight for a free repair as they did not seal your shark fin correctly last time it was fixed.

This. 100% this.

They can’t shrug their shoulders and blame someone else for the failed seal. THEY were the last ones to touch it and should warrant their work.

Leem40i · 03-08-2024, 06:51 AM

You identified the issue under warranty and their repair did not fix the issue, it just remedied it temporarily. The warranty should fix this issue since it wasn't fixed correctly in the beginning. If they play hardball take them to small claims court. Should be an easy win.

freshxdough · 03-17-2024, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vik1292

I had this error come up last year (Jan 2023). The issue was due to water leaking through the shark fin antenna (bad seal) and damaging the TCU. The TCU was then replaced. This was covered under warranty as I had till April 2023 before warranty expired.

Fast forward to today, this error has come up again now (March 2024). Guess what the issue was? AGAIN, same thing. Water leaked through shark fin antenna (bad seal) and destroyed TCU. TCU has to be replaced, again.

But now, my car is out of warranty and they are asking $4500 to replace the TCU. I told them this is ridiculous and the advisor is working with the manager for next steps. I’m still waiting for any update..

I also want to point out I had the emergency call malfunction error come up 2 times prior to my visit in Jan 2023. In those prior visits it was related to the tcu battery going bad and needing to be replaced + dealership needing to perform “updates” on the car.

In total, I’ve had this error come up 5 times now. And been to the same dealership to get it fixed.

I’m hoping out of good faith they will fix the issue, especially considering they fixed the same exact issue last year in Jan…

Will keep you posted.

For reference car is 2019 X3 M40i

This is related to previous repair. If the shark fin was not installed properly then it will leak. This is purely now caused by poor installation. The original issue was primer separating from the shark fin and allowing water to get between. The new issue is likely caused by poor adhesive sealing. We use windshield glue to adhere them on. If technician didn’t do a good bead it’s possible there’s a gap and now water getting in. I would make the dealer recheck their work since they put it on a year ago…

03-07-2024, 10:48 AM	#1
Vik1292 Private First Class 58 Rep 103 Posts Drives: BMW X3 M40i Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW X3 M40i [0.00]	I had this error come up last year (Jan 2023). The issue was due to water leaking through the shark fin antenna (bad seal) and damaging the TCU. The TCU was then replaced. This was covered under warranty as I had till April 2023 before warranty expired. Fast forward to today, this error has come up again now (March 2024). Guess what the issue was? AGAIN, same thing. Water leaked through shark fin antenna (bad seal) and destroyed TCU. TCU has to be replaced, again. But now, my car is out of warranty and they are asking $4500 to replace the TCU. I told them this is ridiculous and the advisor is working with the manager for next steps. I’m still waiting for any update.. I also want to point out I had the emergency call malfunction error come up 2 times prior to my visit in Jan 2023. In those prior visits it was related to the tcu battery going bad and needing to be replaced + dealership needing to perform “updates” on the car. In total, I’ve had this error come up 5 times now. And been to the same dealership to get it fixed. I’m hoping out of good faith they will fix the issue, especially considering they fixed the same exact issue last year in Jan… Will keep you posted. For reference car is 2019 X3 M40i
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03-07-2024, 11:10 PM	#2
Novvaa New Member 20 Rep 29 Posts Drives: 2024 BMW X7 Join Date: Mar 2024 Location: North Carolina iTrader: (0)	Just had this fixed on my 2019 X3 xDrive30i. The dealer charged something like $2700. I was still under the CPO warranty and they still wouldn’t cover it. However, the SA recommended that I call my insurance company because they had a decent amount of success getting insurance to cover this issue as “water infiltration”. Long story short, USAA covered the repair, minus my $500 deductible. They didn’t the shark fin itself, though, so that did cost me something like $200. So $700 out of pocket. Not amazing but better than $2700.
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03-08-2024, 01:44 AM	#3
GaSelle First Lieutenant 181 Rep 359 Posts Drives: ´23 iX3 M Sport Charged Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: DK iTrader: (0)	Don´t know how the warranty rules are in the US, but here in EU I would assume that the repair they did last year comes with its own warranty. What they did last year didn´t fix the issue (leak), so it´s on them to correct it without any cost for you. At least that´s the way my danish logic works __________________ ´22 iX3 M Sport "Charged" - Cashmere Silver ´22 Mini Cooper SE "Yours Trim" - Island Blue
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03-08-2024, 05:32 AM	#4
M40i4me Lieutenant Colonel 1037 Rep 1,526 Posts Drives: 2021 X3 M40i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2021 X3 M40i [10.00]	When I had my 328 the headlight washers were replaced out of warranty (I paid) and failed again one year later. My dealer fixed it for free no questions asked. Fight for a free repair as they did not seal your shark fin correctly last time it was fixed. __________________ 2021 M40i Phytonic Blue / Black Vernasca 2020 X5 xDrive 40i Tanzanite Blue / Coffee Vernasca 2011 328xi. Space Grey - Sold 188,925 great miles
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03-08-2024, 06:51 AM	#6
Leem40i Second Lieutenant 115 Rep 234 Posts Drives: X4 M40i Join Date: Jul 2023 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	You identified the issue under warranty and their repair did not fix the issue, it just remedied it temporarily. The warranty should fix this issue since it wasn't fixed correctly in the beginning. If they play hardball take them to small claims court. Should be an easy win.
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