Saturday, September 24, 2016

BMW Emissions Warranty 15 years/ 150,000 miles

BMW Warranty Coverage 

Failed smog test? Carbon build up?  

Are you a BMW owner who has failed a smog test due to carbon build up? or for any other reason? Is the dealership telling you it is going to cost you in the thousands to repair the problem? Don't let them trick you, YOU HAVE WARRANTY COVERAGE! 

My CAR:
  • 2007 BMW 328i
  • 147, 484 miles
  • SULEV (super ultra low emissions vehicle) PZEV(Partial zero emissions vehicle)
  • California


I was told that I would have to pay $8000 to clean out the carbon build up by a BMW dealership after my car failed a California smog test, this is my story and I hope other people can use this knowledge to get the warranty coverage they are entitled to.

I failed my California smog test and was told by my independent BMW mechanic and the dealership that I had carbon build up that was preventing me from passing the smog test The code was P0402. The cost to repair was way too expensive my independent mechanic even offered to buy my car from me. The repair is not easy and very time consuming for a mechanic. After re- reading the failed smog test paper I noticed it said some cars may be covered by  a warranty up to 15 years/150,000 miles. My car was at 147,484 miles. For coverage to apply your car has to have this label under the hood:



Check under the hood for this label: the label will let you know that you have a SULEV (PZEV) warranty. 





 I looked up the warranty information at BMW's website, get your book at the below link, fill out your year ,make and model and download your warranty book.



The warranty book stated in black and white that if I failed a smog test, BMW would repair at no cost to me.

Ok, so now I give BMWNA a call thinking they will agree with me and enforce the warranty, they are very polite but still refusing to enforce it with the dealership, the dealership claims that BMWNA has to approve it and BMWNA is claiming the dealership has to approve it. I spoke with the Service Manager, the warranty specialist, customer service everyone, back and forth, this was consuming a great amount of time. 

 I was told everything from I didn't have a warranty, it was a maintenance issue etc. I requested their refusal in writing, which no one would do. THEY ARE REQUIRED BY LAW to do this within 30 days of being informed of the  problem.

It was looking like they were sweeping me under the rug, no one at BMW was enforcing the warranty I would not give this up, I had rights, so I called the CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCE BOARD (CARB), they sent me a  Informal Warranty Complaint Form   that I had to fill out, and send my supporting documents (maintenance records, copies of the warranty pages that apply ) to enforce my warranty claim. I mailed it all back to them and then received a call from them, They said I had sent all the information they needed and they would call BMW and then call me back.

After, she heard their  reasons or argument she said that they had to fix my car under the warranty. A few days later, I had to call the dealership and make an appointment  I dropped my car off, picked up my BMW loaner car and waited  for it to be fixed. 

I received a call from the mechanic 4 days later stating he had good news not only was my car ready but BMW decided to not repair my car  but to replace my cylinder head to ensure I would pass my smog test! and the $195.00 service charge to diagnosis my BMW, I paid, would be reimbursed to me.









14 comments:

  1. When you own a premium car like BMW. Then you should opt for extended car warranty. Premium cars sometimes lead to huge auto repair cost and maintenance. So whether you buy a new or used premium car always look for best premium extended car warranty company.

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  3. Thank you for the post. I have a similar issue with my 2008 328i SULEV which has a clogged catalytic converter. I called up BMW NA and they said the catalytic converter is not a part covered under the SULEV warranty on a 2008 328i or a 2007 328i. How did you get them to cover a part which is not listed on the SULEV parts list?

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. The warranty book stated if the car failed a smog test they would fix the problem to ensure it would pass smog. You just need a failed smog test.

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  4. The car would not pass a smog test, and in the warranty book, BMW stated if the the car did not pass smog they would fix the problem so it would pass smog. If you have a failed smog test, and maintenance records (oil changes even if not at dealership) contact the CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCE BOARD, they were the ones who enforced the warranty with BMW. Everyone will give you the same answer, until you get an agency involved. I went back and forth with BMW for 4 months, but it was worth it. I ended up with a brand new cylinder head straight from the factory in Germany.

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  5. We work hard to earn your trust and support. Smog Check

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  6. Dealer ship saying carbon build up is not covered under warranty please help.

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    Replies
    1. Will your car pass smog? If you get a failed smog test they have to repair it.

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    2. Call the California Air resource Board. They will ensure your car gets fixed.

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  7. It took me a week of back and forth with KIA for them to finally agree that my failed catalytic converter (gasoline PZEV Optima) was covered under the expanded 15/150 California warranty. This may be naive, but I think they actually didn't know the law. I had to do some research and send it to KIA. The warranty was even in my vehicle manual. But when their computer gives them wrong info, it's hard to change their minds. Anyways, I avoided a $2350 hit.

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  8. I love hearing these stories, good job.

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  9. Same code here 147000 miles been to dealer 4 times now. Prior to failing Smog I took the car to BMW dealer for a SES light diagnosis they charged me $235 for diagnosis and said it appears there’s an obstruction in the cylinder head and we would need my approval to tear down the engine ($6000) and if the head needs replaced another $8000 so $14000 total. Agh no thanks!

    I found out I had the Federal Emissions Warranty 15 year / 150,000 miles. This warranty has two types of warranties built in PERFORMANCE and DEFECTS. A smog failure is a performance issue, the dealership must get the vehicle back into performing condition and ALL necessary parts are valid warranty items that’s right ALL necessary parts are covered if you fail a smog test. If you don’t fail a smog test parts are valid warranty items under the DEFECT portion of the Federal Emissions Warranty.

    I went back to the dealer today and they are saying “Necessary Parts”. In a nut shell the dealer wants me to authorize engine tear down ($6000) so they can fully determine what if any necessary parts are required to allow the vehicle to pass smog. If they determine it is necessary to replace or repair parts in order for the vehicle to perform (e.g pass smog) then ANY and ALL parts are valid warranty items under the PERFORMANCE portion of the Federal Emissions Warranty.

    I’m going for anrother service appointment at another dealer this week and will update. I talked to BMWNA and they said dealers are allowed and have flexibility in their diagnosis charges but that in the end if I have a valid warranty claim I won’t be billed. Catch 22 here is that it’s the dealers who determine the necessary parts to make the car PERFORM. Also if they can prove abuse or neglect they’ll deny the claim.

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  10. If you had your oil changed on schedule you are in compliance with maintaining your car, even if you had someone else besides the dealer change your oil. But you need to have paperwork to prove that or if you changed your oil yourself, something written down when you changed it. If they tell you they won't cover it, call California Air Resource Board, and let them know you need a INFORMAL WARRANTY COMPLAINT FORM, they will mail it to you, fill it out with supporting paperwork and mail it back to them. They will call you and BMW and will enforce the warranty.

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California Air Resource Board has a new online fillable Informal Warranty Complaint Form

Just saw the new online fillable Informal Warranty Complaint Form on the CARB website. Check it out: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/s...