[Aimster82]

I want to try to install the new software update, but some people are getting their car bricked.

If this happens to me outside warranty, will BMW pay the charges at the dealership?

[TurtleBoy]

I have not seen anything saying that they would cover it under warranty. We have had dealers wanting people in warranty to sign away their warranty rights for a repair should something happen when the dealer is doing the update.

[skisnow]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

I have not seen anything saying that they would cover it under warranty. We have had dealers wanting people in warranty to sign away their warranty rights for a repair should something happen when the dealer is doing the update.

That dealership request sounds unreasonable to me. How common is this issue - just curious?

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by skisnow

That dealership request sounds unreasonable to me. How common is this issue - just curious?

Yes, I thought so too. I'm not aware of anyone signing, they just didn't have the dealer do the update. For clarity, these were updates tat th people asked for, not something tied to a repair.

I would say bricking is extremely rare. We have had a handful or so since the OTAs started and not sure of any in the last year or so.

[BlkGS]

IMO (purely as a consumer), an OTA should be treated as any other repair, where anything touched by the repair is warrantied for 12 months.

Imagine this in a different context. You gonto the dealer for an oil change. They forget to put in oil after draining it and your engine locks up. They say "oops our bad but since you're out of warranty, our neglect is your problem". That's exactly the same situation an OTA bricking your car would be like, except way more likely, because software is the least organized and least responsible group in any company, lol.

[TurtleBoy]

I think one can make the argument that since ConnectedDrive shows that Remote Software upgrades are part of the purchase for as long as it is technically possible that BMW should assume the responsibility for repairs should something go wrong. Whether or not they would may depend on the dealer and the owner complaining enough. I would certainly try. Thankfully as far as I know we have not had anyone in the situation.

[rmorin1249]

Our X5 has failed to install an OTA update 5 times. No way I would try to "force" the update myself. That said, when I take it in next week for its annual service and they say they will install the update and it bricks my car I will hold them accountable. I have reviewed what is in the update and it does include a "recall" for the transmission. My tranny shifts perfectly so perhaps this is why the update is not being installed as our X5 is not included in this "recall". I will discuss with my service advisor when I drop it off next week. At this juncture I don't care if the update ever installs as everything is working perfectly.

[skisnow]

If Apple screwed up my phone with an update, I would definitely ask them to fix it, not sure how this is different

[rmorin1249]

Originally Posted by skisnow

If Apple screwed up my phone with an update, I would definitely ask them to fix it, not sure how this is different

Exactly.

[krypttic]

Originally Posted by rmorin1249

Exactly.

I concur. If BMW offers a software update through their own app, it should be on them to troubleshoot if it goes awry.

[TurtleBoy]

Just to be clear, we do not know what would happen. Luckily we have not heard of any out of warranty vehicle being bricked by an OTA. They may cover it even though the vehicle is out of warranty. Let's hope none of use need to find out. Given that OTA's do not install for many people there is a good chance we won't.