Rearview System Braking Problems of BMW 540

Problem: I recently had several incidents when the rab (rear automatic brake) on the 2024 BMW 540i vehicle did not work on multiple occasions. The vehicle never stopped as I backed out of my parking space. Afterwards I tested the rab by perpendicularly slowly walking behind the car. I had to run out of the way when the vehicle was continuing to move when approximately 12” from me. I tested both vehicles, 540i & x-3, with the same results.   as a further test I placed a plastic figure that’s ordinarily used a warning to drivers of children playing in the area. Results while slowly backing was that the vehicle hit (bumped) the little green “man”. I later discussed this issue with my wife that drives the 2024 x-3. She then informed me that she too almost backed into a pedestrian.   I then did the same tests on my wife’s 2024 x-3, VIN [xxx] , with the exact same results. BMW of wesley chapel had no solution. I spoke with managers doonan and hernandez. I believe the photos demonstrate the slight graze of an item whereby the rab should have stopped the car; it never should have allowed the collision. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The rear cross tracking warning system does not provide an audible warning or apply brakes. The settings have been set, and verified with the dealer, including the most sensitive sensor level and loudest audio alert level. I have gone to two different dealers in ohio and florida and got the same response, “it works as designed”. My brother in law has a 2023 BMW 440i and has the same issue, with the same results with dealer responses. It’s a well known issue in the BMW community since 2019 models, yet the company doesn’t fix. Not only is it dangerous backing out of parking spaces etc. , but it causes a lack of faith in the other critical safety features which you rely on, but cannot easily check; like adaptive cruise and forward collision features.

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