BMW Recall: 50,000 Sedans, SUVs, and Sports Cars Have Dangerous Braking Defect

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Recalls are the worst. This newest BMW recall is a mighty wide-reaching one that is affecting basically every segment. BMW is recalling over 50,000 cars and SUVs from 2019-2021 to address a software issue that is affecting BMWs braking system. 

A BMW logo | Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Which models are affected by the BMW recall? 

According to Consumer Reports, around 50,000 cars and SUVs are wrapped up in the BMW recall. The list of affected models is as follows:

  • 2020 BMW 540i, 540i xDrive, 5,375 vehicles
  • 2020-2021 BMW 745Le xDrive, 470 vehicles
  • 2020 BMW M340i, M340i xDrive, 10,877 vehicles
  • 2020 BMW X3 M40i, 14,006 vehicles
  • 2020-2021 BMW X4 M40i, 4,130 vehicles
  • 2019-2021 BMW Z4 M40i, 2,151 vehicles
  • 2020-2021 Toyota Supra, 13,014 vehicles

Why are so many BMWs being recalled? 

There is an issue within these models’ software that is interfering with the car’s ability to implement braking assists. BMW notes that the problem doesn’t affect the car’s mechanical braking, it just keeps the computer assists from stepping in. This essentially brings BMW braking back a few decades. This problem affects BMW vehicles as well as the Toyota Supra, which is mechanically similar to the BMW Z4 roadster. 

Drivers may find that the brake pedal is simply not as responsive as they are used to be. This will require harder braking for BMW recalled models. Obviously, this is not ideal or safe as it will lead to longer braking distances. 

As noted by the BMW recall, the problem can be triggered by certain starting conditions. For instance, pressing the engine start/stop button two times in rapid succession or depressing the brake pedal very briefly while pressing the engine start/stop button. Either of these actions can cause the engine management software to damage the oil/vacuum pump supplying the vacuum that enables the brake assist (also called brake boost) function. 

How quickly does this brake assist failure happen? 

2020 Toyota Supra against a red back drop is also included in the BMW recall
A 2020 Toyota Supra | TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images

The BMW recall literature says that these software issues can ultimately lead to complete brake boost failure, the vacuum lines that supply the brake boost pressure might retain their pressure for three or four braking actions after the malfunction. 

After a dramatic increase in warranty claims in early 2021, BMW did an internal investigation to find that the problem was likely to affect over 50,000 BMWs as well as the adopted BMW, some Toyota Supras. The fix comes by bringing an affected car back to the dealership to have the engine management software updated. As with all recalls, this work is free of charge to all owners but must be done within a certain time frame. Official BMW recall letters are expected to be sent out by October 1,  2021. Customers who have questions about the BMW recall can call BMW customer service at 800-525-7414. 

How do you know if your car is a part of the BMW recall? 

The NHTSA’s website has a section for looking up cars with open and former recalls. If you go to the site and plugin your BMW’s 17-digit VIN, it will tell you whether or not it falls into that 50,000 with the issue. This website is should be a valued resource by all drivers. 

RELATED: Toyota Supra vs BMW Z4: Which Is Faster?

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Ford Truck Incentives May Have Met Their End

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Brand loyalty generally gives people incentives to stick with the brand. For example, if you get a great deal and perks with a Ford F-150, you may be inclined to return for a new Ford F-150 later. But the Ford truck incentives might be ending. 

Say goodbye to Ford truck incentives for the Ford F-150, Ranger, etc 

2021 Ford F-150 | Ford

Customers have loved Ford truck incentives for years. It’s allowed people to access tremendous savings at the dealership lots for Ford f-150, Ranger, and Heavy-Duty models. But Ford CEO, Jim Farley, has hinted that this practice may come to an end. 

While participating in an interview with Reuters, Jim Farley mentioned that the automaker that’s based in Dearborn, Michigan, is losing money through the incentive campaigns. He shared that he knows Ford is wasting money on the incentives, but he doesn’t know where. 

But incentives are an essential part of the truck buying process. Brands typically offer $1,000 here and there to move trucks off the lot. This makes the customer happy because they get a good deal, and the dealerships and manufacturers are satisfied with making the sale. 

But sometimes, these incentives aren’t as good as they seem. Raising the price of a Ford F-150 can be used as a way to quietly bring the price back down to its starting point. Meaning the customer doesn’t actually get a deal at all.

The F-150 might be built to order 

Chris Farley also mentioned that Ford is really committed to switching to an order-based system for popular models like the Ford F-150 and Mustang Mach-E. This could keep inventories at a 50 to 60 days supply. 

Traditionally, it’s been common to stockpile trucks at dealership lots. This helps automakers show investors that they are shipping new vehicles. Also, it allows dealers to provide a large selection for customers to consider. 

This approach allows dealers to search for the perfect Ford F-150 model to match a customer’s needs. Plus, they can offer customers different models with fewer features with more incentives to purchase. 

Building to order would reduce inventory and create a significant change for the way things are done. An initial slow down in volume could generate more savings because there wouldn’t be an excessive amount of trucks to discount and move. 

Will build-to-order Ford trucks hurt customers? 

A grey 2021 Ford F-150 parked in grass on a cloudy day
2021 Ford F-150 XLT | Ford

Changing to a build-to-order system could potentially be frustrating for buyers. Instead of heading to the dealership and picking the Ford F-150 model they want. They might have to spend more time online. 

They will have to be patient and select the features that they want. Then they will have to wait for their truck to be manufactured and shipped. This takes the thrill of driving off in a brand new vehicle the same day away. 

But for dealerships, this could reduce the number of people coming in to discuss what features they want. Less time will be spent testing different models and options. Then the dealerships would have more free time to sell more used options and make an incredible profit.

RELATED: A Sea of Incomplete Ford F-150 Pickups: Over 60,000 and Counting

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A Tesla Model S Burned Down Someone’s House

by Gabrielle DeSantis

A chain reaction occurred in Yogi and Carolyn Vindum’s home while they slept. More specifically, the couple’s Tesla Model S caught fire. A fire which spread to their other EV. The subsequent blaze burned down the Vindum’s home. Moreover, the fire painfully highlights a growing concern in the number of electric vehicle fires. Clearly, there are some issues that EV producers need to address regarding safety, as well as issues with infrastructure and charging capacity that cities need to examine in homes.

The Vindum’s Tesla Model S is cause for concern

Firefighters at the Vindum’s home | Yogi Vindum

Per the Washington Post, Yogi Vindum got a notification from the Tesla app beamed to his iPhone while he slept. His Tesla Model S was telling him there was a problem. Admittedly, the app is a handy thing. It tells owners a lot about their vehicle, including any issues with charging and how much charging needs to be done. But, because Vindum was asleep, he didn’t see that notification.

Moments later, their garage was on fire. Vindum and his wife slept in another part of the house, thankfully, and he stated that “if we had lived upstairs in this house, we’d be dead.” The Washington Post also stated that a fire inspection found that the Tesla Model S’s thermal management system could be the cause. The inspection also cited a fault in the home’s electrical system as a potential cause.

EV fires pose a growing risk

The Tesla charging display on an iPhone
The charging app that sent the Vindum’s a notification that there was an issue | Kena Betancur via Getty Images

Frankly, this is not the only instance of Teslas, and EVs on the whole, catching fire with catastrophic results. We’ve covered issues with Tesla fires before, including a fire that took place on a 2015 Tesla Model S. Additionally, Chevy has recalled the Bolt for similar firey issues. By and large, the most evident concern is the nature of these fires. Yes, they pose a significant risk to life and property, but there’s more to it.

The nature of lithium-ion batteries means they can be difficult to put out. Once punctured, the lithium in these batteries reacts explosively with the air. I’ve talked about it at length in an article below, but in summary, go watch a video of someone stabbing a smartphone battery. Also, don’t stab a smartphone battery, it’s not very nice.

The development of new technology is always painful

The charging port on a Tesla Model S sedan
Firefighters say charging had a role to play in the blaze | Sergei Fadeichev via Getty Images

Honestly, EVs are a very new form of technology. They’re a microscopic blip on the human timeline. A hundred years ago we didn’t know how to get these fancy new-fangled cars to go along a street without killing anyone. These costs to human life and property are unacceptable in the modern era, and manufacturers need to be doing everything they can to prevent it. So do cities, whose electric grids are not built to handle our sudden surge in electricity demand. For now, the best thing we can all do is wait, and closely monitor your EV while it charges.

RELATED: Why Do Electric Vehicle Batteries Catch Fire?

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The Best Purple Supercars You Can Buy Today if ‘Purple Lamborghini’ From ‘Suicide Squad’ Is Still Lurking in Your Brain

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Supercars have always fascinated people, enthusiasts or otherwise. There’s something thrilling about how fast these machines move, how luxurious they feel, and how heart-poundingly gorgeous they look. They’re a status symbol that immediately brings to mind the rich and famous. In pop culture, exotic cars have appeared in TV series, movies, and music, including the Grammy-nominated “Purple Lamborghini,” which appears on the soundtrack for the 2016 film Suicide Squad.

So, in honor of The Suicide Squad, out now in theaters and on HBO Max, here are six of the best purple supercars you can buy — or drool over — today.

‘Purple Lamborghini’ was written for Suicide Squad

Rapper Rick Ross and DJ/producer Skrillex collaborated on “Purple Lamborghini” for the 2016 DC Comics blockbuster Suicide Squad. The action revolves around a group of other supervillains recruited by a secret government agency to save the world from the apocalypse.

The song became insanely popular, with a music video featuring the Joker. Even five years after the track debuted, it’s hard to scroll through TikTok without hearing it. 

In the film, the Joker, played by actor Jared Leto, drives a purple Vadyor kit car, not a Lambo. And neither Rick Ross nor Skrillex has ever owned a purple Lamborghini. The titular car doesn’t even appear in the music video. But there’s no denying the song is a banger. 

You’re not the only person who can’t get “Purple Lamborghini” out of their head. So scratch that itch by perusing these purple supercars for sale through the duPont Registry.

The best purple supercars for sale right now

Purple Lamborghini Huracán Performante | Martyn Lucy/Getty Images

2018 Porsche 911 GT-3

The Porsche 911 GT-3 is an iconic coupe with turbo performance that’s hard to match. Everyone knows a Porsche when they see it, and the purple on this model — listed for sale through the duPont Registry for $208,000 — is a deep and understated color that shines in the sun.

2019 Rolls-Royce Cullinan

If you’re looking for luxury, look no further than Rolls-Royce. Though Rolls isn’t usually associated with performance, luxury is. Take a look at the $409,996 Cullinan on the duPont Registry and imagine yourself being chauffeured around in this purple beauty.

2021 BMW M8 Gran Coupe

Maybe a BMW is a little more within reach. Though Bimmers aren’t always thought of as supercars, this $147,900 beauty with only eight miles on it will turn heads when it’s cruising down the road.

2019 McLaren Senna

McLaren is synonymous with supercars. Enthusiasts dream of driving them. This Senna is well worth drooling over, even if you can’t afford the $1.29 million asking price.

2019 Ferrari Portofino

Ask any person on the street to name an exotic car, and most will mention Ferrari. The Prancing Horse is the quintessential supercar, and this $295,800 Portofino is breathtaking.

2019 Lamborghini Huracán Performante Spyder

And, finally, the pièce de resistance: the purple Lamborghini Huracán Performante Spyder, listed for a cool $369,000 through the duPont Registry. Keep reading for more details.

What sets this purple Lamborghini apart?

The 2019 Lamborghini Huracán Performante Spyder is stunning, and it will tear up the pavement. This supercar could inspire anyone to write a song about it. 

MotorTrend says this Lambo dials it up to 12. Once the convertible top comes down, you experience everything this supercar has to offer, with nothing between you and the sound of that magnificent V10 engine. 

Boasting 631 hp and a 0-to-60-mph time of 2.3 seconds, this purple Lamborghini is definitely something the Joker would drive, and it’s a vehicle that thrills on the highway and the track. 

The exhaust note is impressive, and MT’s test driver says he found himself letting off the gas just to listen to the engine roar again. The writer calls the experience “visceral.” 

Speaking of listening, we think it’s time to blast “Purple Lamborghini” while daydreaming of cruising South Beach in this supercar.

RELATED: Does Lamborghini Make EVs?

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