NHTSA complaint #11611265

Owner complaint summary

I was turning right into a parking space when the vehicle suddenly accelerated and did not stop when I removed my foot from the accelerator and tried to brake. The car continued to accelerate through a low cinder block wall and did not stop until it dropped 3-4 feet off the side of the parking lot into the sidewalk/street. Fortunately I was not hurt and there were no pedestrians or vehicles in the roadway, but my car was deemed a total loss. The collision warning didn’t come in, and airbags did not deploy. I reported the incident to BMW NAmerica, who sent an inspection team to the collision center. After 7 weeks I was told that the vehicle data recorder captured ‘an incident” but did not record any information to verify that I attempted to brake, or to otherwise provide details of the incident. I was told the inspection found no mechanical issues and the all weather floor mat (installed by the BMW dealer) was installed incorrectly and must have gotten stuck on the accelerator. Furthermore, I was told that although the mat was a BMW product, it was installed by the dealer so the manufacturer was not responsible. BMW offered me a small goodwill settlement provided I sign a non disclosure agreement, which I declined to do. I’m reporting this to ensure you have a record should you receive similar reports from others. I received no written communication from BMW detailing the safety investigation.