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According to Carscoops, BMW has recently been embroiled in a class-action lawsuit as the shark fin antenna on several of its models has been alleged to have been designed and/or manufactured defectively, allowing water intrusion.
Specifically, the lawsuit, which has been filed in a district court, claims that BMW models including the 330i, 340i, M440i, M550i, 750i, X1, X3, X4, X5, X6, and X7 from 2017 to 2023 have been affected by the shark fin antenna issue. The allegations state that water intrusion through the antenna can cause corrosion of internal electrical components, water accumulation in the body cavity, and damage to the interior.
In addition to pointing out the potential damages, the lawsuit also mentions the possibility that BMW has been attempting to conceal the issue related to the shark fin antenna. The plaintiffs allege that the German automaker has long been aware of this defect but has “failed or refused” to adequately address them.
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Many BMW models are said to suffer damage due to water intrusion from the shark fin antenna. Illustration: Car and Driver. |
The 44-page lawsuit was filed by Tim Craft, a lawyer and California resident who also purchased an X5 xDrive 40i in 2019. This vehicle was inspected at BMW San Diego and was found to have no issues by their staff.
Less than a year later, the SUV was reported to have experienced some troubles after a heavy rainfall. Eventually, Craft brought the vehicle to BMW Rusnak, where it was confirmed that water had intruded into the control module, and he was advised to replace the affected parts, including the shark fin antenna. According to Craft, the aforementioned replacement was not covered by warranty and would cost him around USD 2,500.
Craft initially objected, believing that he should not have to pay for the repairs as the shark fin antenna was defective. However, he eventually agreed to pay USD 92 to repair the necessary items as he needed a safe and functional vehicle.
The lawsuit alleges that the affected vehicles have experienced one or more design and/or manufacturing defects that cause the shark fin antenna structure to separate from the roof, allowing water intrusion at this location and subsequent leakage into the vehicle’s interior.
The complaint also cites blog posts and social media discussions on Reddit, stating that this is a widespread issue. According to Carscoops, some complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have also been included to bolster this point.
BMW could be facing more than USD 5 million in compensation demands in this class-action lawsuit.
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