On August 15, 2025 at approximately 6:30pm our 2024 BMW i7 eDrive50 with the Active Park Distance Control package accelerated in reverse when parking assistance was initiated to back out of a parking space at a small business facility, causing the vehicle to strike a tree. The cronology of the incident is as follows: 1. While the driver had his foot on the brake, he touched the assisted parking icon on the dashboard display to enable the automatic backup system. 2. The driver then lifted his foot from the brake and the vehicle accelerated in reverse despite the driver NOT having his foot on the gas pedal. 3. The backup camera did not engage or show the backup view when the car was moving quickly in reverse. 4. The driver slammed on the brake just as the vehicle struck a tree with the rear right bumper and panel. In summary, the automated parking space back up feature malfunctioned by accelerating in reverse while the driver's foot was not on the gas pedal. Simultaneously, the back up camera did not engage to show the rear view while the vehicle was moving in reverse. This malfunction created a safety risk that could have put other vehicles, people or property at risk of damage or injury, beyond the estimated $8,000-$10,000 damage sustained by this BMW i7. A certified BMW collision repair facility has inspected this vehicle and are awaiting inspection from BMW customer support. The collision repair facility was not able to find a video of the incident in the vehicle camera history files or in any alerts. The driver has not attempted to reproduce the malfunction. The vehicle is awaiting inspection from BMW customer support. There were no warning lamps or messages displayed during or after the accident. BMW customer support has been contacted.
NHTSA ODI 11681797